When architect Darren Jessop of Jessop Architects first starting thinking about the idea for the COOLHOUSE concept, he knew he wanted to affect change – and it was after designing Australasia’s first certified Passive House that the concept really started to gather momentum.

Passive houses are buildings that meet the stringent energy efficiency criteria set out in the German Passivhaus standard, which was developed to reduce the ecological footprint of buildings by achieving a superior thermal performance that essentially require no active heating or cooling.

With this experience under his belt, Darren came up with a series of plans for small, modular homes that meet the criteria for Passivhaus certification. “The COOLHOUSE collection incorporates designs which are specifically modelled to suit the New Zealand climate using low energy practices to deliver homes in excess of current New Zealand Building Code standards,” Darren says.

New Zealanders are increasingly embracing the idea of reducing their carbon footprint, and with that, the idea of smaller, and tiny, homes. Within the COOLHOUSE collection is a range of small houses, ranging from the ‘Mini’, which is a 25m2 compact studio-type home, to the largest in the range, the ‘Island’, which is designed for a larger family while retaining a footprint of just 180m2.

“COOLHOUSEs are airtight buildings, which means no heat escapes. The building envelope does not breathe so they require no heating or cooling, therefore retain an ambient temperature year-round,” Darren says.

While passive houses can be built in any size, the smaller COOLHOUSEs embrace the idea of compact, sustainable living. Each COOLHOUSE design has been created with the ability to be used in conjunction with one or more of the other designs – in effect as a modular solution to build homes that can be added to at a later date if required.

“Each COOLHOUSE design was created to be modular of sorts,” Darren says. “For example, you could choose to use the ‘Mini’ design, but add to it by also using the ‘Crib’, which provides a slightly larger floor area to achieve different outcomes suitable for alternative ways of living. They all retain a much smaller footprint than regular houses though.”

The concept of modular passive houses is pushing the boundaries of sustainable design in New Zealand, and is proving a particularly beneficial option for those with a bent towards environmental protection.

The crisp elegance of the COOLHOUSE designs is testament to their simplicity in operational aims. While the technology behind achieving passive efficiency is complex, the aim is simple: to reduce our carbon footprint. These homes sit lightly on the earth; they are a vestibule for sustainable living, and a concept that paves the way towards a greener built environment.

Get in touch with Darren Jessop from Jessop Architects on ArchiPro here to start a conversation about what you could achieve with a COOLHOUSE and its passive design.

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David, a lawyer, describes his vision as a “modest bach,” but the reality is far from modest. The design by architect Darren Jessop features two intersecting glass pavilions arranged in a wedge shape, complete with a 5-metre-high steel sculpture in the courtyard, a spacious atrium, a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, and a media room. This ambitious design quickly pushes the project’s budget well beyond David’s initial estimate of under a million dollars, ultimately climbing to between $2-2.5 million.

Tracey, who has largely deferred to David on design decisions, only has one firm request: an infinity pool. However, David is initially resistant, citing budget constraints. As the build progresses, tensions arise over this and other design elements, with Tracey quietly purchasing expensive art pieces for the home, despite the already ballooning budget.

The couple faces several challenges, including the exposed, windy location of the site and the complexities of constructing large glass walls in a high wind zone. Builder Marcus Jones, along with a team of local tradies, navigates these obstacles with frequent consultations with the architect and engineers to ensure the design is executed correctly.

Despite the difficulties, including the initial rejection of the infinity pool due to council consent issues, Tracey eventually secures a new location for the pool at the end of the bedroom wing. The final build, though significantly over budget, results in a spectacular home that perfectly blends art and architecture. The curved concrete walls, vast living spaces, and seamless connection to the surrounding landscape create a truly remarkable residence.

In the end, both Tracey and David express their satisfaction with the home and their relationship. David, who had initially been reluctant to compromise, admits that he learned the value of just agreeing, while Tracey enjoys her multimillion-dollar beach house, complete with the infinity pool she desired. The episode concludes with Chris Moller reflecting on the importance of compromise in both building and marriage, noting that the best outcomes often involve a balance where everyone involved gets what they want.

More information and photos can be seen on the project showcase.

This is an abridge version of the episode review that can be read in full on Stuff.

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