When passionate Swedish architect Josefine Watterson first set foot in New Zealand, the chilly homes left her shivering in disbelief.
Accustomed to comfortably strolling through houses in shorts during minus twenty-degree weather, Josefine knew she had to make a change. Now, juggling her full-time architectural job in Auckland, she is determined to create a warm, sustainable haven for her husband Will and their three children.
Josefine is aiming to design and build a passive house, a home that utilises intelligent design and energy-efficient principles to maintain a comfortable temperature all year round. Achieving this feat will provide her family with the perfect dwelling and grant her the prestigious title of Certified Passive House Designer.
The couple’s dreams began to take shape when they stumbled upon an affordable block of land near Will’s family in Featherston. Excited by the prospect, they seized the opportunity to leave Auckland and embark on their sustainable living journey.
Determined to dispel the myth that eco-friendly homes are drab and box-like, Josefine’s design features double-height ceilings and a raked ceiling. This innovative approach showcases that sustainable houses can also be aesthetically pleasing, proving that going green doesn’t have to be an eyesore.
But Josefine and Will face numerous hurdles on their quest for sustainable living. Relocating their lives, maintaining full-time jobs, managing a house build, and caring for their young family are just a few of the challenges they must overcome. To top it all off, their passive house must pass a rigorous blower test to gain certification.
Despite the risks, both Josefine and Will are willing to gamble for their dream home. With determination, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, they hope that their efforts will ultimately pay off, creating a warm and eco-friendly sanctuary for their family.
Based on the format “Grand Designs” devised by Talkback Thames, a Fremantle Media company.
