Te Kauwhata Passive Solar House in Waikato, New Zealand, has been designed to optimise rural views, while maximising northern passive solar gain and buffering from cold south westerly winter winds. The house utilises environmental principles throughout; it is passively self-heated during winter, self-cooled over summer and employs green materials and technology. The floor plan area is 240sqm’s, situated on a 2 acre property in the north Waikato, with sweeping views of pine forests and farmland.
Orientated due north for maximized passive solar gain the house takes full advantage of the low angled winter sunlight that passively heats north facing exposed insulated concrete floor slabs and exposed internal concrete block walls. A centralised clerestory works as a climate chimney creating a natural stack effect, naturally ventilating and cooling the house during warmer months. Top light windows are strategically located throughout the house to further assist the passive cooling design.
