Cockle Bay House (Tanglewood)
A new energy efficient two-level family home on the site of a previous house that has been deconstructed. The house is timber-framed construction, clad with non-toxic Abodo thermally modified weatherboards, finished with Sioo:x silicate based wood protection. The roof is clad in pre-coated corrugated steel. Exterior walls consist of 140mm framing with additional 45x45 horizontal battens to the interior face to allow for a high level of insulation and minimise thermal bridging. The exterior joinery is double-glazed, thermally-broken aluminium framed. High-level opening clerestory windows provide passive ventilation. This new dwelling was constructed with environmental sustainability as a fundamental goal. Sustainability issues include, but are not limited to:
  • insulation levels well above minimum required
  • solar PV electricity generation (with panels both on the roof and on the north-facing deck balustrade)
  • use of low VOC interior materials and finishes
  • giving preference to locally sourced materials and fixtures
  • careful selection of sustainable timber species
  • minimising and separating construction waste
  • reusing timber and other elements from the deconstructed house
  • avoiding damage and subsequent waste of stored recyclable materials
  • allowing for easy maintenance 
 
Status: completed end of 2018
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North-east sketch view during planning stage
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South-east sketch view during planning stage
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The house viewed from the east, with the site ready for extensive planting
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At the entry porch, a simple sail structure has replaced the more complex clear-roofed pergola originally planned.
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Front entry with the ‘Tanglewood’ reference in the door handle and porch rail (designed by the clients)
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Looking directly north across the living spaces, with Motutapu and Motuihe in the background
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Kitchen island/breakfast bar
​The rimu waterfall breakfast bar, designed by the owners, was crafted by Terry Neale of Terry Neale Furniture. The patina copper artwork on the face of the kitchen island was created with material salvaged from the original house by Whangarei based artist, Trish Clarke.
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View across the kitchen, with Rangitoto and Motutapu in the background
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Using laminated timber instead of steel for the structural portals significantly reduces the building's carbon footprint
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Bath (and shower) with a spectacular view
There are 18 solar PV panels on the lower roof, and a further 9 mounted on the balustrade. Refer also to Tanglewood Solar Case Study
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The outer 1.2m of the deck is set down so that the balustrade does not obstruct the extensive sea views
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Sioo:x treated Abodo thermally modified radiata pine cladding (see description above)
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EV charger
​The solar PV panels generate more than enough electricity to run the house and as well as feeding back into the grid, they also provide energy for an electric car. Refer also to Energy Efficiency.