Passive house design ‘the way forward’ for builders

Wānaka builders Bryce and Donnelle Dunlop are on top of the world after celebrating 20 years of business and opening their new energy-generating Dunlop Hub.

The company’s new headquarters is New Zealand’s first Passive House Plus-certified office and one of just five in the world to have achieved the highest level of certification of the Passive House Institute standard.

The other four are in France.

The couple founded their company in 2003 and now employ 30 staff.

Mr Dunlop said passive house design was "the way forward".

Earning certification from the German Passive House Institute for their Venture Cres office was a goal from the start.

The energy-generating building features timber triple-glazed German-designed windows, cork flooring, solar panels, provisions for electric vehicle charging and extensive use of thermally modified pine timber.