Urutawa Drive Passive Solar House in Kerikeri, New Zealand, is a two bedroom retirement house with a fully glazed northern elevation designed for optimised passive solar gain, while also achieving privacy from surrounding neighbours, and strategic solar panel location over the garage roof. The main feature view of the house is a reinstated wetland which collects and cleans storm water run-off, this determined the location and passive solar orientation of the house.
The north and south elevations are designed around two key principles, optimised solar gain and natural ventilation. Locations of windows allow cool air to enter the house during summer and then exit via stack effect through top light windows. This keeps the house cool and comfortable during warmer months.
