Foothills House “Greenfacts”

Design:
• 3 Zones: Interior/Interior Courtyard/Outside Courtyard
• Interior courtyard uses irrigated planting to “condition” the internal air supply
• Large overhanging eaves to control solar gain in summer months
• Roof angled to allow maximum penetration of winter sun to exposed insulated
concrete slab (mass) providing passive solar heating, and minimal reliance upon
artificial heating sources
• Overhead double glazing, and use of thermal drapes to minimise heat-loss
• On site rainwater collection, storage and treatment for potable drinking water and
extensive garden irrigation 75,000litres
• Orientation of plan coupled with reduced glazing to south façade to minimise heatloss
• Glazed louvres over internal doors to provide cross ventilation and natural cooling in
summer months
• Low slung roof allows cold south/southwest winds to flow over the building envelope.
Roof pitch follows natural slope of land and stepped floor levels minimize site
excavation/cut and fill
• Double burning wood-burner for back-up winter heating using firewood sourced from
site
• Composting on site of household vegetable waste
• Full on-site effluent disposal system for irrigation of native screen planting/wind
breaks

Materiality:
• Western Red Cedar cladding http://www.hermpac.co.nz/sustainability.aspx sourced
from sustainably managed forest http://www.wrcea.org/environmentsustainability/
intro.htm, coated with Drydens Wood Oil
• 100 series masonry veneer – completely recyclable product with excellent lifespan
• NZ grown Pilularis interior decking/stairs sourced from a small NZ sustainably
managed plantation
• NZ schist (stone) to front entry
• Aluminium joinery – natural anodized, recyclable and provides longevity

Specification:
• Pink Batts Fibreglass insulation (R 2.8 Walls/R3.6 Ceilings) with a high recycled
content (75-80%)
• Gib plasterboard wall linings http://www.gib.co.nz/sustainability/
• Resene internal wall and ceiling paint, contains low VOC’s
http://www.resene.co.nz/comn/envissue/howgreen.htm
• Zinc spoutings for durability and recyclability