The design was based around our modular panel system. 31 panels totallng 59m2, utilising all of our diferent panel types. The 8 degree roof pitch is built into the panels.

Macrocarpa that had been sitting in a farm shed for 30 years was used for the cladding. The 150 x 25 mm roughsawn boards were charred using the traditional Japanese method “Yakisugi” or “Shou Sugi Ban”. The finished product was oiled with Tung Oil.

Recycled timber windows and doors were used. The doors are retro-fitted double glazed doors with native NZ timber frames which had been removed from an old house. With a little love they will perform better than aluminium jonery. The window was a recycled, but unused, timber frame window from Eurotech in Dunedin.

The StrawSIPs walls in the living area are clay plastered to provide a healthy, comfortable living environment. The thermal mass of the clay helps to regulate temperature, and the humidity regulting properties ensure comfortable and healthy air all year round.

This flooring was pulled out of a house renovaton in Wanaka. The floor was in perfectly usuable condition, and just needed sanding to remove the yellowed polyurethane coat, and then re-oiling with the Natural Paint Co hard floor oil.

The same Macrocarpa used for the cladding, but in 75 x 25 mm size, was planer and straightened and oiled with Natural Paint Co pure interior oil to be used as wall and ceiling lining inside the cabin, mostly on internal walls.

Terralana wool blend batt insulation was used in the floor and roof to create an extremely warm insulation around the entire building. 280mm of insulation in the floor (R6.4) and 380mm in the roof (R9.6) combine perfectly with the 400mm straw walls (R6.2).

Tadelakt lime paster is used on all the walls, ceiling and floor in the wet area bathroom (shower and toilet area). Installed over Magnum board and a waterproof membrane. Tadelakt is an ancient Moroccan plastering technique used in the bath houses to create a smooth, waterproof, anti-bacterial surface that looks and feels amazing.

Supplied by Health Based Buildig, Magnum board is magnesium oxide based. It is VOC free, breathabe, mould resistant, silica free, CO2 negative, fireproof, and has great impact, water and air-transfer resistance.

A woodfibre board to be used as an exterior roof sheathing and RAB (rigid air barrier). Moisture-resistant, vapour permeable and windproof. With a low resistance to water vapour (similar to the StrawSIPS) moisture within the wall structure can easily escape to the exterior of the building without risking condensation and mould growth.

This Passive House Certified system recovers up to 94% of the heat and is able to remove moisture from the air as well. Ideal for small buildings. This system will keep the air fresh and warm all winter without needing to constantly heat the house, and the outside air can be filtered before entering the house (as the winter air in Wanaka is often smoggy from woodburner fires).

This toilet is an incinerating toilet that does not need to be connected to any sewage system. The toilet incinerates urine and excrement at high temperature, and 4 people using the toilet creates about 1 cup of ash per week.

The Showerex wastewater heat recovery pipe uses the warm greywater from the shower waste to pre-heat the incoming cold water going to the shower. It can pre-heat incoming cold water from around 10C to 20C, meaning much less hot water is required to reach a nice shower temperature. Savings of up to 40% of hot water are realistic.

Galvanised roofing iron coming off a shed that was set for demolition in Southland as used for the roofing and some of the ceiling lining. The corrugate was in perfect condition and the existing nail holes lined up perfectly with the purlin spacing used. The best way to recycle metal is to re-use it.

All the appliances selected were partly chosen for their energy and water rating. All appliances would be suitable for a Homestar 10 rating. This means the predicted annual electricity usage is around $300.

The greywater from the shower, basin, dishwasher, sink, and washing machine are treated on-site with a greasetrap, sand filtration planter box, and drip line irrigation to the garden.