A River View and a Vision: Greg & Maree’s SIPs High-Performance Home Journey Hamilton

At TAWA Architecture, we love working with clients who are deeply invested not just in the home they’re building, but in the way it will shape their life for decades to come. Recently, we sat down with Greg and Maree, the proud owners of one of our high-performance SIPs homes located just outside Hamilton. Their story is one of family, forward-thinking, and the kind of living that connects people and place.

Returning Home to the Waikato with Purpose

Greg and Maree's story begins in the South Island, where they lived for nearly 25 years after leaving the Waikato in the early ‘90s. But with both their sons settling back up north - and grandchildren now in the picture - the draw to return was too strong to ignore.

"I said, I’m coming back," Greg tells us. "My brothers and sisters are here… it’d be quite nice to live somewhere rural or semi-rural, but where we could live in reasonable proximity to one another."

Their vision wasn’t just about lifestyle - it was about creating a space where family could thrive together, where after-school hours might mean a visit to the grandparents instead of daycare.

Inspired by Efficiency and Sustainability

As an accountant, Greg brings a pragmatic lens to building. But it’s clear his motivation for choosing a SIPs home goes beyond the numbers.

"I’ve got deep pockets and short arms," he jokes, "so I’ve always liked the idea of not paying a big power bill every month."

Greg’s long-standing interest in sustainable and passive house principles naturally aligned with the performance benefits of SIPs. While the final dollar-for-dollar comparison may be complex, the value of a home that’s warm, efficient, and built to last was undeniable.

A Design That Resonated

When the initial design concept was presented, Greg and Maree immediately connected with it.

"I certainly looked at the design and thought, oh, I could live in that house."

They were drawn to the open plan layout, indoor-outdoor flow, and the thoughtfulness behind every spatial decision - including a simple yet meaningful request: a view of the river from the kitchen sink.

"That’s when I think I’d look at the view the most."

This detail - small in isolation, yet deeply personal - encapsulates the essence of their journey: a house not just as shelter, but as an extension of life’s rhythms.

High-Performance Highlights

Location: Semi-rural setting just outside Hamilton
Home Type: High-performance SIPs construction

Key Architectural Design Features:

• Open-plan living with strong indoor-outdoor connection

• Thoughtful orientation for sunlight and views

• Kitchen with river-facing aspect by request

• Outdoor living zones designed to respond to wind direction

• Private yet interconnected spaces ideal for multigenerational family life

Performance Benefits:

• Excellent thermal efficiency and airtightness

• Low ongoing running costs

• Comfortable, consistent indoor temperatures year-round

• Future-ready sustainability embedded in the building envelope

Ready for What’s Next

With move-in day approaching, the anticipation is building. From the flexible outdoor spaces shaped by prevailing winds, to the promise of a warm, efficient interior, Greg and Maree are ready to embrace the next chapter of their lives - rooted in family, comfort, and smart design.

"Really, I’m looking forward to living in a house like that," Maree says, a smile in her voice.

We’re honoured to have been part of their journey, and we can’t wait to see how this home supports and grows with their family for years to come.

High-Performance home utilising Formance SIPs panels

Perfectly positioned on the banks of the Waikato River

Appreciating the stunning Waikato river views from the kitchen window

Formance SIPs panels

Designing for Performance

Harnessing Passive Principles in Architecture

In the pursuit of sustainable and high-performing architecture, the integration of passive design principles has emerged as a cornerstone of innovation. From optimising energy efficiency to enhancing indoor comfort, passive strategies offer a holistic approach to architectural performance. In this blog post, we explore the profound influence of passive design principles on architectural performance, focusing on key concepts such as PHPP (energy modeling), high-performance detailing, thermal-bridge free construction, air-tightness building envelopes, ventilation and heat recovery systems and product performance.

What is PHPP?

At the forefront of passive design principles lies the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), a comprehensive tool that enables us to optimise the energy performance of buildings. By analysing factors such as solar orientation, insulation levels, and thermal bridging, PHPP facilitates informed design decisions aimed at minimising energy consumption and maximising occupant comfort. From passive solar design to efficient mechanical systems, PHPP serves as a roadmap for creating buildings that surpass conventional standards of sustainability and performance.

The Energy Modelling Process and its Significance in Design

Energy modeling is a crucial component of passive design, allowing architects to simulate the energy performance of buildings under various conditions. Through advanced software tools, architects can evaluate the impact of design choices on energy usage, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. By conducting energy simulations early in the design process, architects can identify opportunities for optimization and refine their designs to achieve optimal performance outcomes.

Detailing for Performance

High-performance detailing involves meticulous attention to construction techniques and material selection to minimize thermal bridging and air leakage. By employing strategies such as continuous insulation, airtight construction, and thermal breaks, architects can create building envelopes that are highly efficient and resistant to heat loss. High-performance detailing not only enhances energy efficiency but also improves indoor comfort and durability, ensuring long-term performance and sustainability.

Thermal-Bridge Free Construction

Thermal bridging occurs when conductive materials create pathways for heat to bypass insulation, leading to energy loss and reduced thermal comfort. Thermal-bridge free construction seeks to eliminate these weak points by using insulation materials and construction techniques that minimise heat transfer. By addressing thermal bridging, we can improve the overall energy performance of buildings and create environments that are more comfortable and sustainable.

Air-Tightness Building Envelope

An air-tight building envelope is essential for minimising heat loss and ensuring optimal indoor air quality. By sealing gaps and penetrations in the building envelope, we are able to prevent uncontrolled air leakage and reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Air-tightness also plays a crucial role in moisture management, preventing condensation and mold growth while maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

Ventilation Systems and Heat Recovery

Ventilation systems are integral to maintaining indoor air quality and thermal comfort in buildings. By specifying and incorporating proven energy-efficient ventilation systems with heat recovery capabilities, we can provide fresh air while minimising energy loss. Heat recovery ventilation systems capture and recirculate heat from outgoing air, significantly reducing heating and cooling loads and improving overall energy performance.

Product Performance

Understanding the performance of the building materials and products we specify is a key consideration in passive design. By selecting high-quality, energy-efficient materials, we are able to effectively enhance the performance and durability of buildings while minimising environmental impact. From triple-glazed windows (climate specific) to high-efficiency insulation, investing in products with superior performance characteristics is essential for achieving optimal energy efficiency and comfort.

Balancing Architecture with Performance

Incorporating passive design principles into architectural practice offers immense potential for creating buildings that are not only sustainable but also high-performing and comfortable. By leveraging tools such as PHPP, energy modeling, and high-performance detailing, we have the expertise to design buildings that exceed traditional standards of performance while minimising environmental impact. As the demand for sustainable architecture continues to grow, the integration of passive design principles will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the built environment of the future.