Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/10 | Page 17

functions as a media room, has a schist wall with a fireplace. All these rooms have floor-to-ceiling glazing, with the open-plan area opening out to a sheltered contemporary-style loggia within the pool courtyard. This provides shelter from the sun and rain, as well as the wind. “The extensive glazing ensures there is always a view through the house to the lake and mountains beyond,” says Wixon. “Large sliding cedar shutters on the north side can be pulled to screen the sun if required.” Ross Middlemass says the house features above-standard insulation, to cope with the temperature extremes. Most of the windows are triple glazed; the insulated walls have 200mm insulated framing; the ceilings feature three layers of insulation; and the flooring incorporates a 100mm polystyrene layer plus 200mm concrete heat sink with underfloor heating throughout, including in the garage. All the heating, including the swimming pool, is powered by a commercial heat pump unit. However, Middlemass says on a sunny day in winter, no heating is needed. “The house is comfortable right through all seasons, from mid-summer to winter.” resource list 45281 at trendsideas.com search central otago at trendsideas.com search | save | share at trendsideas.com 15