We can guide you through the process of building a high-performance home, from concept to completion. We listen to you and collaborate with the architect or designer who best suits your ideas to create a warm, healthy living space that reflects your lifestyle. We share our expertise and help you through every stage of the build, making the process easy and enjoyable.
It’s simple. Contact us to find out how we can help you build an Evolution and live well.
"The even temperature right through the whole house is in a different realm of comfort to what we had previously been accustomed to. Not only that, but our first year’s power bill was half that of our previous home, in which we didn’t heat the bedrooms."
Ray & Nadine Malloy, August 2014
Lakeside Estates Home
Located in Lakeside Estates, an exclusive Queenstown subdivision, the profile of this spectacular home echoes its alpine setting and showcases the possibilities of integrating high performance with bespoke design.
Designed by architect Hayden Emslie, this home has integrated the principles of Passive House, ventilation, airtightness, and orientation, to balance out the demands of a grand residence.
Breathtaking views are on display through triple-glazed, argon-filled windows that enhance heat retention and protect the interior from harmful rays.
Haro engineered wood imbues the foyer with a glow that brings visual warmth to the airy atrium.
The oak floor is designed to go over the hydronic in-slab heating, allowing the temperature to emanate without warping the engineered timber.
A David Trubridge pendant is fitted with an LED and casts geometric shadows on the high ceiling.
Excellent proportions create a sense of comfort while enjoying a panorama of nature's magnificence through floor-to-ceiling, triple-glazed windows.
Recessed corners hide the blinds for the floor-to-ceiling, triple-glazed windows that encase three sides of this wing.
High-end finishes create an opulent kitchen. Ducting for the Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MHRV) is seamlessly integrated into the ceiling and provides continuous fresh air.
A lower ceiling height and plush carpet provide softened acoustics for the Music Room.
Strategic LED lighting accentuates art work in built-in recessed shelves. A visual line draws the eye down the wall to the full-length window overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
The fully-tiled ensuite provides a place of sanctuary to begin and end the day. WELS-rated tapware helps conserve water without compromising comfort.
With a view of this magnificence, there is no need for feature walls in the master bedroom.
High-performing windows mitigate heat loss and a balanced ventilation system eliminates condensation concerns.
Vertical battens on the exterior provide shading and keep the summer sun from overheating the upper level, while also providing privacy.
A sheltered courtyard enjoys views of the lake and mountains through the main wing.
Threepwood Road
Designed by Allan Huntington, this high-end residence clad in schist and cedar evokes rustic charm, enhanced by its idyllic rural location.
Increased insulation, airtightness and superior windows keep the home warm in winter with lower power bills.
A grand entrance is created out of the main hallway thanks to custom-made, wood-framed windows.
The thickness of the walls is attributable to the increased insulation and airtight membrane that envelopes the conditioned space, ensuring tranquillity and warmth within.
The interior style by Donna Weir Designs capitalizes on the generous gabled ceiling balanced with the honey glow of wood to create a warm atmosphere comparable to the internal temperature.
Improved window joinery enables the occupants to enjoy the dramatic alpine views without compromising comfort and resources to heat the home.
The chimney features local schist stone and enhances the alpine lodge feel of the living room.
Illuminated, built-in shelves provide a stunning display of the homeowner's travel bibelot and echo the warm glow from the Haro engineered-wood floor.
With magnificent views in every direction, full-length windows are a must in every bedroom.
Thick curtains keep the sunlight out, but argon-filled, Low E double-glazing protects the home from heat loss and harmful sun rays.
Matte tiles give this ensuite bathroom a rich, pearly glow and the organic lines of the standalone bath complete the look of an upscale spa.
Timers on the undertile heating ensure the bathroom feels as good as it looks without using excess energy.
Expertly crafted stone masonry creates harmony between the interior and exterior of the home, with a short schist wall extending the length of the terrace.
Strategic LED lighting accentuates the architectural features that bring this home to life.
The homeowners are rapt with this visually-stunning home that performs to such a high level.
They were living overseas during construction and placed their trust in us, with excellent results as revealed in their testimonial.
Branigan Court, Jack's Point
This smart home was completed in 2017 for a family of four who wanted to combine comfort with sustainability by optimizing thermal performance and the use of the latest home technology.
Scandi colours blend beautifully with the polished aggregate concrete floor. Underfloor heating powered by the latest heat pump technology provides warmth and comfort to supplement the passive solar gains that come through the North-facing sliders.
The Family Room features built-in shelves, an Escea fireplace and a David Trubridge pendant light fitted with an LED. The southern view features a slice of Lake Wakatipu and argon-filled, double glazed windows that keep the heat in and the southerly winds at bay.
Lovely indoor-outdoor flow is created through the thermally-broken kitchen sliding doors. A concrete patio offers sheltered enjoyment of the Queenstown summer thanks to clever design.
The Master Bedroom overlooks the Remarkables Mountain Range and a raking ceiling, replete with R5.2 insulation and LED downlights, creates a sense of space.
Wavy white tiles give texture and style to this water-wise bathroom, featuring WELS-4 tapware.
Gray-water recycling also contributes to efficient water use in this smart home.
While the priority was on performance, design and style also shine in this home. Copper corners on cedar cladding contrast with dark board-and-batten, creating linear aesthetics.
Exterior walls also benefit from increased insulation (R4.2) and airtightness thanks to Proclima's Intello.
To adhere to the strict design guidelines of the exclusive Jack's Point, a creative solution had to be found for the placement of the Photovoltaic panels.
Placing the solar panels along the driveway has created an interesting garden feature and ensures maximum return thanks to angle and exposure.
North Hackett Road, Jack's Point
This high performance home received House of the Year, Silver 2018, a genuine endorsement of the workmanship, design and overall quality of this residence.
Completed in 2017, this bespoke home epitomizes good living in a smart home that is architecturally interesting and aesthetically pleasing.
Local schist rock adorns the formal entry of this beautifully-appointed home, evoking its alpine environment.
Improved window joinery permit the occupants to enjoy the spectacular view to the south without feeling the cold or the winds inherent to the Queenstown winter.
The increased insulation helps maintain an even, comfortable temperature through all seasons.
A bespoke basin carved out of a single rock offers organic lines balancing out the stark beauty of the textured tiles.
Thermostat-controlled underfloor heating ensures a constant temperature, mitigating condensation, even in the bathrooms.
Reclaimed space above the garage provides a guest room with charm.
An improved thermal envelope complete with Proclima's vapour check membrane means this attic room is as comfortable as the rest of the home.
A dramatic foyer features a down-lit schist wall and wine display area, with hand-crafted wrought iron door.
Captivating decor and high-end design comfortably co-exist with improved performance in this smart home.
Glenfiddich Road, Jack's Point
Built for a family of four who prioritized warmth, this 239m2 home blends sophistication and comfort.
The elongated pavilion-style design allowed the home to maximize the passive solar gain on the north while conforming beautifully to the strict guidelines of Jack's Point, an exclusive subdivision of Queenstown.
The Great Room features a raking ceiling, giving the area a feeling of spaciousness, while thermally-broken aluminium sliders capture the sun to the North, storing the solar gain in the polished concrete floor.
An alcove provides architectural interest and coziness around the gas fireplace, used predominantly for ambiance.
The grooved, black plywood creates balance in the spacious white living area and integrates the TV screen into the design.
Polished concrete floors emanate warmth during the winter thanks to solar gain and the air-to-water, in-slab heating, one of the most efficient systems in the NZ market.
The buffed surface also lends a sleek, modern look and makes a neutral background from which personal style and pops of colour shine through.
Lofts were created out of the ceiling space above the closets and provide quirky, fun play areas in the kids' bedrooms.
Water-efficient tapware minimizes wastage and solar hot water provides an economical and ecological system.
South Hackett Road, Jack's Point
This 221 m2 home is beautifully situated in exclusive Jack's Point, maximizing the views of Lake Wakatipu to the South and the sun to the North.
This single story home optimizes solar gains with floor-to-ceiling windows. The fully insulated concrete subfloor, covered by Haro engineered wood in Oak Terra, slowly releases the heat stored throughout the day.
Picture windows facing south offer stunning views of Lake Wakatipu.
Thermally-broken aluminium joinery ensures that the outside temperature doesn't penetrate in and argon-filled double-glazing keeps the interior warm and dry, making it possible to capitalize on the southern landscape without sacrificing efficiency and warmth.
River rocks create an eye-catching feature in the beautifully-tiled walls and WELS-rated tapware ensures wise water use.
The northern courtyard provides a sheltered outdoor area and fruit trees provide shade.
This home received a Homestar Six, certifying its improved performance and sustainability.
Improved window joinery means the magnificent view of Lake Wakatipu to the south can be enjoyed without sacrificing comfort and warmth.
Speargrass Flats
This stylish and sustainable home was the first in Central Otago to receive a Homestar™ rating of Six Stars, indicating better performance in warmth, dryness, health and energy-efficiency.
A fully insulated concrete subfloor soaks up the sun's warmth and German-designed, triple-glazed timber-framed sliders optimize the passive solar of the home's orientation as well as the magnificent views.
Extended eaves on the southern side were carefully designed to keep the summer sun out while allowing maximum solar exposure in the winter.
A 2.7 meter ceiling in the dining area contributes to the light, spacious atmosphere while the standard height ceiling above the kitchen conceals ducting for the Mechanical Heat Recovery System, bringing fresh air into the house while recuperating heat.
Unusual angles imbue character and none more so than the dimensions of the Master Bedroom.
Variegated patterns in the monochrome tiling and basin give this bathroom a sleek, minimalist design.
Water-saving tapware, LED lights and ventilation are sustainable features effortlessly integrated.
Timber-framed full length windows on three walls allow for natural cross ventilation on a hot Otago summer day. The added space for seating gives guests a private lounge.
Tucker Beach Road
Warmth and room to grow were priorities for the family of five who built this 230m2 home in 2013.
The shape of the house optimizes the ratio between surface area and volume, which results in high efficiency in retaining heat. The attached garage mirrors the main pavilion in shape, adding visual interest without compromising the efficiency of the thermal envelope.
Polished and stained concrete floor creates a stylish, warm look while catering to raising three sons and maximizes passive solar gains from the full length windows facing north.
The fully insulated slab also houses the air-to-water infloor heating, the most efficient system, which translates into comfortably walking barefoot even on the coldest day of winter.
The full-length, thermally-broken sliders along the northern wall of the main living area invite enjoyment of the panoramic vista as well as capitalizing on the sunny northern exposure.
These argon-filled, double-glazed windows also lend an expanse and encourage a natural flow into the outdoors, perfect for a family who loves skiing and nature.
Custom-made Rimu shelves delineate an attractive reading corner within the open plan living area flooded with natural light. Artwork and photographs personalize the space and the wood contrasts beautifully with the stained concrete.
Local schist stonework flecked with ochre offers privacy and a design feature that complements the cedar cladding of the exterior.
The outdoor fireplace extends the summer hours spent on the patio and acts as an area for the family to gather and entertain.
Bathrooms are programmed to stay at an even 20° throughout the winter, minimizing condensation.
Solar hot water and tapware regulating flow contribute to wise use of energy and water, without compromising comfort.
Gibbston Valley
This gorgeous 195m2 single-story house integrates into its majestic landscape, allowing its residents to enjoy the environs in maximum comfort.
The owners of this cedar-clad home care deeply about sustainability and were also familiar with the level of comfort homes in the northern hemisphere offer.
They designed this floor plan to suit their desire to feel part of the natural landscape without sacrificing comfort or natural resources.
The spacious kitchen is an entertainer's dream, yet its most stunning features are behind the scenes, resulting in maximum performance for little energy use.
The David Trubridge lights have been fitted out with LEDs and hydronic underfloor heating keeps the house at a constant 20°.
German-engineered, triple-glazed, tilt-and-turn timber windows allow for cross ventilation in the summer and heat retention in the winter.
Exposed plywood walls and textured tiles create visual interest. WELS-rated tapware ensure wise water usage and underfloor heating creates comfort and minimizes condensation.
The owners of this home are well-traveled and the exposed plywood walls cast a warm glow and provide a perfect backdrop from which to display the array of fascinating artifacts they have collected from around the world.
St. Andrews Park
This fresh, modern-looking two-story home is perfectly perched in St. Andrews Park to enjoy the dazzling views over Lake Wakatipu.
Nestled into the hillside that receives little sun during the winter, building an eco-friendly, warm home was paramount to these overseas owners.
This open kitchen is filled with light, with a glass door leading to a back patio shaded by rich foliage and full length windows overlooking the dazzling turquoise of Lake Wakatipu.
Argon-filled, double-glazed windows retain heat while allowing for natural lighting during the day and thermally-broken joinery minimizes condensation on the aluminium frames.
The colour scheme echoes the aqua blues of the alpine lake, which is what draws these overseas owners to holiday in Queenstown.
Water-wise tapware ensures appropriate flow rates to minimize waste and solar-hot-water makes running the dishwater economical.
Obscure glass allows for maximum daylight without sacrificing privacy in the bathroom.
This home is bright and sunny, giving it a cheerful, fresh feeling and minimizing the use of electricity.
"We had a specific timeframe that we really needed to work within and the Evolution team succeeded in completing the build on time, and on budget. We have no hesitation in recommending the Evolution team to anyone.”
--Jason & Caroline Loveridge
McKellar Drive, Jack's Point
This 225m2 home showcases all the sustainable features of our comprehensive method of building energy-efficient homes in a stylish, urban design.
Formerly our Evolution show home, the owners now enjoy amazing views of The Remarkables and one of the beautifully-manicured preserves in Jack's Point, an upmarket subdivision of Queenstown.
Black laquered cabinetry imbues this Palazzo kitchen with a sleek, urban look.
WELS-rated tapware and solar hot water add sustainability without sacrificing style or comfort.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer an open vista onto the amber grasses of the manicured preserve and mountains beyond.
Thermally-broken joinery and argon-filled, double-glazing keeps the ambient temperature warm and dry year round.
Cedar cladding contrasts with Ironsand Colorsteel™, creating an exceptional exterior which also stands up to the harsh sun and frosts of Central Otago.
These materials also conform to the strict guidelines of the Jack's Point subdivision, with which Evolution has much experience, facilitating the process of acquiring consent from the Design Review Board (DRB).
Highview Terrace
This modern home perched on the steep slope of Goldfield Heights features clean, minimalist lines and a stunning vantage point over Lake Wakatipu.
The large picture glass sliders provide spectacular views of the breathtaking alpine landscape.
The joinery is thermally-broken to minimize cold passing through the aluminium and argon-filled double-glazing retains the passive solar heat amassed when the sun is shining on the fully-insulated concrete subfloor .
The bold geometric design on the wallpaper creates an interesting focal point, contrasted beautifully with the black glass splashback.
LED lights are economical and energy-efficient, and because they do not heat up, insulation in the ceiling remains intact since no recesses are needed to house the lights.
Clever design creates an awning that offers respite from the summer sun and creates an architectural feature on the back patio.
Passive solar and natural shading reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.
Textured slate tiles are reminiscent of the local schist stone, while alabaster tiles on the opposing walls reflect light and keep the bathroom bright.
WELS-rated tapware regulate water flow and underfloor heating keeps the bathroom at a comfortable temperature, which also minimizes condensation.
"We are really impressed with the sustainable features of solar hot water, water collection tank, extra insulation and we are happy to live in a home that has been built using ‘greener’ materials by a local company."
--Robbie and Rae Baxter, September 2014
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