When this Dutch family began planning their next chapter, they had a clear vision. After selling their business, they were ready to settle into retirement on a North Canterbury lifestyle block, but comfort was non-negotiable. Having grown up in Europe, they deeply missed the solid construction, thermal performance, and year-round comfort that is standard there.
They wanted a home that felt healthy, stable, and warm in winter, yet cool in summer without the burden of high running costs as they transitioned into retirement.
A Site Worth Framing
Their chosen site in Cust offered something extraordinary…. sweeping views down to the Ashley River and across to the mountains beyond. The home needed to capture this outlook while responding carefully to the challenges of an exposed rural site subject to extreme seasonal conditions.
The design solution centres on large, carefully positioned north-facing picture windows that frame the landscape and draw natural light deep into the home. However, maximising glazing without creating overheating risk required thoughtful detailing.
To manage the exposed nature of the site:
- The western façade, prone to harsh afternoon sun and overheating, has no windows.
- Functional spaces are positioned along the southern side of the home, where smaller, carefully placed windows provide light without unnecessary heat loss.
- Living areas are oriented north to maximise views and controlled solar gain.
- Airtight construction optimising the efficiency of the mechanical heat recovery ventilation system.
- Strength and solid bracing through use of structural insulated panels.
- Durable materials.
The result is a home that works with the climate rather than against it.
Built for Performance
While the home was not designed to achieve formal Passive House certification and is not a typical simple form, airtight construction was still a priority from the outset.
Through intelligent design detailing and disciplined building practice, exceptional airtightness was achieved. The final blower door test returned a result of 0.27 air changes per hour (ACH), an outstanding performance, particularly when compared with the Passive House certification requirement of less than 0.6 ACH.
This result was made possible through:
- Structural Insulated Panel (SIPs) construction
- Recessed, triple-glazed uPVC window systems
- Careful junction detailing
- A disciplined approach to sealing during construction
Together, these elements create a stable internal environment free from draughts, cold spots, and condensation delivering genuine European-level performance in a North Canterbury setting.
Healthy, Comfortable, Future-Focused
As they move into retirement, low operating costs were just as important as comfort. By investing in performance upfront, this home requires minimal energy to heat and maintain, protecting both their long-term finances and their lifestyle. The inclusion of a pod of solar panels also enables other energy demands to be minimised and excess returned to the grid.
What they now enjoy is a warm, dry, and consistently comfortable home, one that feels solid and secure, much like the European homes they remembered, yet perfectly suited to the Canterbury landscape.
This Cust project demonstrates how performance-driven design, and a clear understanding of lifestyle priorities can create a home that is both beautiful and genuinely practical for the next stage of life.
