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Build Performance

BUILD PERFORMANCE

We are committed to designing high-performance homes that are energy-efficient, comfortable, and architecturally distinctive. Choosing to build a high-performance home does not mean compromising on desired design outcomes – we aim to strike the right balance between performance, budget and aesthetics. Condon Scott Architects have been designing high performing homes in the greater Wanaka and Queenstown area for many years; we understand the unique climatic conditions and the appropriate design response for each project.

THERMAL MODELLING

As members of the Passive House Institute of New Zealand (PHINZ) and with a Certified Passive House Designer on our team, we offer clients the opportunity to integrate passive design principles and performance modelling from the earliest stages of the project. 
 
Our in-house expertise enables us to carry out detailed architectural thermal modelling and building performance analysis during concept design. We can explore strategies that enhance efficiency and comfort, including optimal building orientation, shading, insulation levels, glazing performance, airtightness and ventilation.
 
We prepare project specific reports, including thermal modelling and sun studies, allowing us to make impactful, data-driven design decisions e.g. where triple glazing is best utilised, or where additional eave depth will significantly impact the cooling or heating load. 
 
Whether you’re pursuing Passive House or Low Energy Building certification, or seeking an energy-efficient home with lower running costs, we tailor our services to meet your specific goals and project budget.
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As architects, what are the key considerations when designing a high performance home? 

A high-performance home is a house designed and built to provide exceptional energy efficiency, comfort, durability, and indoor air quality while minimising operating costs and environmental impact. We balance these key principles with your design brief, desired aesthetic and construction budget:

  • Insulation: Well-insulated walls, roof, and floor to reduce heat loss and heat gain
  • Airtightedness & Moisture Management: Careful design detailing to minimise uncontrolled air leakage, while managing moisture. Proper vapour control ventilation to prevent condensation and mould
  • Windows & Doors: Higher spec glazing e.g. double or triple glazing with thermally broken frames and low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings
  • Thermal Bridging: Designing structural junctions to minimise heat transfer through structural framing, slab edges and other conductive elements
  • Mechanical Ventilation: Installation of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery unit (MVHR) to provide continuous fresh filtered air, while recovering most of the heat from exhaust air
  • Heating & Cooling: Installation of correctly sized systems based on calculated heating and cooling loads
  • Energy Efficiency: Installation of efficient water heating, LED lighting, appliance selection and use of solar panels and batteries to reduce overall energy demand
  • Design Considerations: Optimising orientation/positioning, glazing, shading and thermal mass to maximise passive solar gains in winter and reduce overheating in summer
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OUR PROCESS

We begin by assessing the concept design using specialist design software to create a basic energy model. This gives clients clear insights into how early design decisions such as window placement, glazing and insulation performance, and shading impact building performance. These assessments ensure informed decisions can be made before locking in construction details. Our three-step process includes:

After the architectural concept design is resolved, our team undertake basic energy modelling using DesignPH and PHPP. The result of this energy modelling is a report, which identifies any specific areas of the design to be reviewed, and what level of specification should be targeted to meet the build performance requirements as per the design brief. Essentially, this report helps to inform the specifications and construction methodology for the overall build, as we move into the Preliminary and Developed Design architectural drawings.

Once the basic energy modelling report has been reviewed by the client and we have clear scope moving forward, our architectural team prepares the more detailed modelling required. This is included within the consultant issue drawing package for the structural engineer, and builds on the basic energy modelling report undertaken earlier in the project. 

Not all clients choose to go through a certification process and are satisfied with the knowledge their home is designed, built and performs like a high-performance home. Other clients choose to pursue a certification, potentially for resale value or other reasons. 

We coordinate the certification process, whether that is Passive House Certification or Low Energy Building Certification, including third party testing and assessment.