Cooks Beach Project
A beach bach built better with GreenStuf®
The project
For many families, the beach bach is the ultimate Kiwi dream—A home away from home, for generations of family and friends to come. So how do you build a dream bach that will stand the test of time?
We spoke to Ben Lloyd from Lloyd Hartley Architects about his latest project, currently under construction, a three-bedroom bach on a hill, overlooking Cooks Beach, with unimpeded views north over the beach, out to Mercury Bay and beyond.
Once part of a larger family property, the site was divided among family members. The clients, a close-knit family comprising of the patriarch and his three children, sought to reimagine a place that has been part of their family story for decades.
Designed to honour this legacy, the bach intends to bring generations together and accommodate the many family members and guests who visit throughout the year, particularly during the busy summer months. Flexibility was essential, with adaptable indoor spaces and ample room outdoors for additional guests to pitch tents.
Forget white walls. Framed by generous glazing that draws in the beach views, this home is designed for making the most of time together and spending more time outside. With comfort and longevity guiding every decision, Ben and his team chose quality over quantity, delivering a compact footprint that will serve its owners well for years to come.
The solution
Choosing the right material for this family beach bach was important, and GreenStuf was the obvious choice for Ben.
When specifying projects, GreenStuf® is his go-to insulation—it’s sustainable, good quality, and long-lasting.
“We like specifying GreenStuf as you can just put it in the wall and forget about it. It will do the job for many, many years, and that’s what we’re after,” Ben says.
“What we like about working with the GreenStuf team is that they will fit the insulation around the designer, instead of us needing to design around insulation. Our relationship with the team is excellent, and when we send through a design, they always provide a solution suited to our needs.”
Ben notes that GreenStuf exceeds the required building standards, and that a great benefit of using the insulation is the Takeback Programme.
“Using GreenStuf on site means that we know our builders can take offcuts back for GreenStuf to recycle into future products.”
– Ben Lloyd
The result
To deliver the desired acoustic comfort and thermal efficiency, the installation incorporated Acoustic Absorption Blanket (AAB), Thermal Wall Pads, Sound Solution® (manufactured using at least 92% reclaimed polyester material sourced from reclaimed insulation from the Takeback Programme), and double-layer Roll Form.
“By building for longevity, we’re inherently creating sustainable architecture. Incorporating New Zealand made into our buildings reduces waste associated with importing products and has the added benefit of supporting local communities,” Ben adds.
