Built Better, Without the Blowout
A Northlake build quietly outperforming it’s neighbours.
Design Base Architects | Built by MA Building | Photos by Simon Larkin
A thoughtfully designed home in the heart of Northlake in Wanaka, tailor-made for a young family who wanted more from their everyday space—more warmth, more comfort, and more performance, without blowing the budget.
This compact, high-performing home blends intelligent design with practical sustainability. While not Passive House certified, the build integrates key principles that reduce environmental impact while prioritising family comfort year-round.
The result? A durable, efficient, and healthy home that quietly outperforms expectations.
Understated. Overperforming.
A Performance-Led Design
Working to a strict energy target and budget, the team—alongside Design Base Architects—used energy modelling and material analysis to bring this home’s projected energy demand down from 180 kW/m² to just 60 kW/m² per annum. This performance uplift isn’t by accident—it’s the result of rigorous detailing, smart construction methods, and a builder-led commitment to getting it right.
Airtight construction using timber framing with counter battens and intelligent moisture barriers
Thermally broken joinery, recessed for improved thermal performance
HRV system with full heat recovery, positioned within the home’s thermal envelope
Insulated concrete slab, polished for a modern, low-maintenance finish
No carpet, reducing allergens and improving thermal mass
Strategic layout, achieving passive solar gain and cross-ventilation
An affordable home that punches well above its weight
Form Meets Function
Behind the timeless corrugate and cedar façade is a home that performs quietly in the background. Winter mornings sit comfortably at 22°C with little to no additional heating required. Every design decision—from recessed windows to the layout of the living spaces—was made with long-term comfort and efficiency in mind.
Our Tier 1 Benchmark
This home is the first of MA Building’s Tier 1 builds: high-performing, well-detailed homes designed to meet the growing demand for better building without over-complication. It proves what’s possible when you blend architectural clarity with construction integrity—and when you care just as much about what’s behind the walls as what’s in front of them.
