Rose House

A light-filled sanctuary in Napier, built for wellbeing and ease

In the heart of Napier, Rose House stands quietly confident – designed for a busy life, but built to offer calm. For Sharon, a successful IT business owner and frequent traveller, the brief was clear: a secure, low-maintenance home that felt warm, welcoming, and healthy every time she returned.

This is a place that supports wellbeing, celebrates simplicity, and proves that high-performance design can be both beautiful and effortless.

Design with intention

Inspired by the seismic history of the region – land lifted from the sea in the 1931 earthquake – the design plays with shifting planes and grounded forms. Privacy and natural light were key drivers, with unfenced gardens offered to the street and a quiet courtyard tucked away for reflection.

The home is PH Low Energy certified, ensuring year-round comfort, low energy use, and minimal environmental impact. Vertical cladding reinforces the sense of emergence, while the timber-framed structure is designed to reduce thermal bridging and improve air quality.

Built to perform

Despite Covid-era challenges, the project stayed true to its goals. Declare-labelled materials, FSC-certified timber, and low-VOC finishes were used wherever possible. Triple-glazed windows and airtight construction keep the home warm in winter and cool in summer, with only 1% overheating predicted.

The home is 100% electric, with heat pumps for space and water heating, and a predicted heating demand of just 25 kWh/m²a. Compact, efficient, and resilient – Rose House is built to last.

Collaborative and thoughtful

Sharon’s vision shaped every decision, and the process was deeply collaborative. Welch Builders managed construction with care and precision, while Sustainable Engineering and ExtraMile Consulting provided technical expertise and local insight.

Rose House is a modern retreat – quiet, efficient, and full of heart.