b'feature houseand paths, and to build raised vegetable gardens. All soil excavatedSaysEddie:Itssuchacomfortablehouse.Insummerindoor from the foundations was reused on site. The old roof tiles, timbertemperaturesstaybelow25Cevenwhenoutsidetemperatures joinery, hot water cylinder and oven were sold on TradeMe.reach 29C. On sunny days in mid-winter, the living area temperatures Most of the demolition plasterboard was buried on site. All of the oldseldom drop below 20C, even if it is below 10C outside. The house concrete from the driveway and paths was either used as fill underis much drier and theres never any condensation on the windows.the concrete slabs or buried on site. The old kitchen cabinets were re- All window joinery is now double-glazed, water tanks were installed used in the new workshop at the back of the garage.to collect rain water to use in the toilets and garden, solar panels were A key goal was to incorporate passive solar design. The additionsadded to help heat the water, a wood burner installed and energy were built on solid concrete foundations and the floor slabs coveredefficient appliances chosen. with tiles, which gives the vital solid mass required to capture theTimberceilingbattenswereused;steelbattensarenowmore suns warmth during the day, and slowly release it at night.common but transfer electromagnetic fields throughout the house as Big sliding doors and windows were added to the north-facing sidelighting wiring is draped over them, says Eddie. of the house to let in as much sun as possible, with the house eavesLow VOC Environmental Choice paints by Resene in Resene Quarter built to the right depth so that hot summer sun is blocked yet winterLemon Grass, Resene Alabaster and Resene Pohutukawa were used sun is allowed in. throughouttheinteriors.SaysEddie:Ihadusedthiscolour LeftThe generous kitchen has cabinets made of European Beech veneer and a glass splashback back-painted in Resene Pohutukawa.Below rightOld treated pine decking was replaced with vitex, a sustainably logged timber from the Solomon Islands. Most of the old decking has been re-used as screen fencing in several places around the property.Below leftThe home office is part of thenew front extension.ResenePohutukawa 37'