Ngā Whare Pārara

Ngā Whare Pārara is the latest Superhome development project designed by Bob Burnett Architecture, centered around two inspirational themes: Low Carbon and Solar Design. Targeting New Zealand's first carbon-negative Superhome!
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This multi-residential project will consist of four townhouses, aiming to push the boundaries to inspire and educate the community and industry on how to create climate-positive and energy positive homes. Ngā Whare Pārara means to warm oneself or to bask in the sun… reinforcing the first principle of designing for optimal solar aspect, creating four townhouses bathed in natural light that require minimal energy input. Upon completion, the street front home, Te Whare Waro Toraro (Carbon Negative Home) aims to be New Zealand's first carbon-negative Superhome. The project champions concepts of 'manaakitanga' and 'kaitiakitanga,' fostering community, environmental care, and responsible building practices.

Construction is planned to begin later in 2024. Follow the project both on here and on social media as it progresses to stay up-to-date with the latest leading edge design ideas and climate positive construction techniques!

Ngā Whare Pārara | PLANS

Diverse roof pitches are carefully designed to allow sunlight access to neighbouring homes and are ideal for capturing the energy of the sun with renewable rooftop solar generation. These varying roof shapes echo the Christchurch Port Hills' silhouette. This project emphasises 'whenua,' considering the wider context, the ecosystems of the region and regenerative ‘organic architecture’ that aligns in harmony with the environment as opposed depleting it.

Ngā Whare Pārara | IN PICTURES

The lead home, Te Whare Waro Toraro, proudly fronts the street and complements the neighbourhood. This new home will honour its predecessor, a 1906 villa relocated from the site to be renovated elsewhere. The new home will adopt a steep roof pitch reminiscent of turn of the century villas and harmonising with the neighbourhood’s architectural mix including bungalows and other older homes. A steeper roof pitch will only shade the southern street behind, and not affect the sunlight access of any of the surrounding existing and newer homes.

The 1906 villa currently occupying the site will be removed and trucked to Ashley Village in North Canterbury. Here it will be set on foundations and renovated ready to begin its new life amongst a village of other villas that have been similarly relocated. The reuse of this historic building will save the resources and carbon emissions of the demolition process and avoid a signification amount of material going to landfill. Saving a beautiful piece of historic architecture.