Stonefly Lodge

Design Base Limited

Located in sunny Nelson, the award winning Stonefly lodge is designed to provide a mountain lodge atmosphere fused with a warm family atmosphere.

The design brief required maximum use of timber that would be milled from the site and the incorporation of stonework that was available at the property

A theme of exposed timber applied to a bolted timber beam and post structure forms the base for Stonefly Lodge. The timber spans, sizes and profiles were specifically selected to maximise the use of timber available on the site.

Early in the design process a theme of 4 piece timber verticals was adopted for structural frames. This theme is carried through to balustrades and to internal joinery items.

Over 4,000 stones were hand selected from the site by the owner and these form the exterior plinth and internally the base for fireplaces and columns. They provide a passive heat sump

The house features 5 bedrooms each with a self contained en suite, a common loft area over looking the formal spaces below, a large open kitchen, dining, lounge and library area. The sun room is a special feature with large timber widows providing outlooks to the river and mountains and the floor of which is designed to be a passive solar sump.

The large kitchen is designed for entertainment. As the lodge is completely off the national grid, cooking is mainly by a log burner (using plantation timber from the property). The log burner also provides hot water to the in floor heating zones. Refrigerators are specifically designed for low energy use.

A feature of the formal areas is a double sided fire place set in a feature stone surround and chimney. The unit incorporates a heat transfer vent system.

The passive solar aspects have performed so well that a heat transfer system built in to capture apex zone heat has not had to be turned on throughout the first winter of occupation.

The biolytic waste system utilising a wet soil ecosystem of worms, beetles and microscopic organism waters a permaculture garden being developed to provide the majority of fruit, vegetables and herbs for meals.

Location:

Motueka, Nelson, New Zealand

Awards:

Qualmark Enviro Gold Award - One of the top 10 Ecolodges in New Zealand and Australia
Tasman Nelson Environment Awards 2010 - Best use of renewable energy