Performance Insights: Smarter Building for High-Performance Homes
Performance Insights: Smarter Building for High-Performance Homes
A Collaboration Between MA Building & Chaney & Norman Architects
Why We Created the Performance Series
Building high-performance homes in New Zealand comes with a learning curve. When new materials and techniques—like airtight membranes, moisture control layers, and SIPs panels—first started appearing, there were a lot of unknowns.
Would these systems be too complicated? Would they take too much time? Would they push costs too high?
“I was pretty scared when I did my first one. I thought the Intello wrap from ProClima would take too long, cost too much, and be too hard to get right. But then I did one—and realized it’s actually quite simple. A little bit of forethought and sequencing, and it’s nothing to be feared.”
Now, with more experience, we know that when planned properly, high-performance homes aren’t harder to build—they’re just built smarter.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with Chaney & Norman Architects to create this Performance Series—breaking down real-world insights from our latest project to help more builders, architects, and homeowners understand what’s possible.
Why Ventilation is Non-Negotiable in a High-Performance Home
If you’re building an airtight home, ventilation isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Airtight construction stops heat from escaping in winter and keeps cool air inside in summer. But without proper ventilation, moisture, pollutants, and stale air get trapped inside. That’s where a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (HRV) comes in.
On this project, we’ve installed a balanced HRV system that:
Continuously brings in fresh air without letting heat escape
Removes excess moisture and CO₂ to keep the home healthy
Recovers up to 90% of heat from outgoing air, reducing heating costs
The result?
Warmer, drier, healthier living spaces
Lower energy bills
No more stuffy or damp rooms
A well-ventilated, airtight home means better comfort, less maintenance, and a healthier indoor environment.
Ventilated Skillion Roof = Maximum Insulation
Skillion roofs look great, but they present a common challenge—ventilation.
With standard roofs, builders usually leave a 25mm air gap for airflow, which reduces how much insulation can be installed.
“When we do a ventilated roof space like this, especially a skillion-style roof, it allows us to fully fill the insulation layer up. We don’t have to leave a 25mm air gap—we can fill that whole pocket right up. In this case, we’ve got 300mm of insulation, right up to the underside of the Pro Clima wrap.”
Using a ventilated skillion roof, we get:
Full insulation coverage—no wasted space
Better moisture control—reducing condensation buildup
A drier, healthier home—with proper airflow
No cold, dead air pockets in the roof—just full insulation, better thermal performance, and a more efficient home year-round.
Courtyard & Retractable Louvred System for Year-Round Comfort
A high-performance home should work in all seasons, not just the extreme months.
That’s why this project includes a sheltered courtyard area with a retractable louvred roof, making it comfortable and usable year-round.
We’ve installed the Askura operable louvre system by Adlux, which offers:
Shade when it’s needed—keeping the space cool in summer
Solar gain when required—letting in warmth during winter
Weatherproofing—keeping rain out while still allowing ventilation
The louvre system adapts to the climate, ensuring the courtyard remains a functional outdoor space no matter the season.
By integrating this flexible, high-performance shading system, we’re able to create comfortable, adaptable living spaces that enhance energy efficiency and usability.
Planning ahead makes all the difference to making sure your building is airtight early on.
Airtightness Starts at Framing
Airtightness isn’t something you add later—it’s built into the structure from the start.
On this project, we made sure the airtight starter strip was installed before the steel went in.
This means:
The airtight layer is properly integrated into the structure
No last-minute patching or extra sealing needed
A continuous airtight barrier with fewer weak points
“Passive homes don’t work if you cut corners on the details.”
Airtightness isn’t just about stopping drafts—it also helps control moisture, improve efficiency, and keep heating and cooling costs low.
Getting it right from the framing stage means fewer problems down the track.
Managing Steel & Glass for Thermal Performance
Big Windows, Big Views—Without Big Heat Loss
Steel and glass look great, but they can cause major thermal bridging if they’re not managed properly.
On this project, Chaney & Norman Architects worked with engineers to keep all structural steel inside the home’s thermal envelope. The walls are fully insulated, meaning heat stays where it should—inside in winter and outside in summer.
This helps to:
Reduce unwanted heat gain in summer
Minimize heat loss in winter
Keep the home’s temperature more stable year-round
Even with large areas of glass, smart structural design combined with airtightness and insulation keeps energy efficiency high.
Less Timber, Less Thermal Bridging
Using less timber actually makes a home warmer.
Traditional framing methods rely heavily on timber, which can act as a thermal bridge—allowing heat to pass through the structure, reducing insulation performance.
To fix this, we’ve used Mytek Studsavers, which help reduce the amount of timber in framing without compromising strength.
This means:
Less thermal bridging—better overall insulation
Fewer materials used—more sustainable construction
Smarter, more efficient homes—without unnecessary bulk
By making small adjustments to standard building practices, we can create homes that perform better without adding complexity to the build.
Smart Sequencing & Planning For Your Home
Building high-performance homes is all about sequencing and smart planning.
When airtightness, ventilation, insulation, and structural detailing are considered early, homes become:
More energy-efficient
Easier to heat and cool
Healthier for those living in them
This project—built in collaboration with Chaney & Norman Architects—shows that high-performance homes aren’t just a concept, they’re practical, achievable, and more efficient to build than most people realize.