Energy efficient homes
for New Zealand lifestyles
Dean Buckeridge Architecture is an architectural design practice based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Company principal Dean Buckeridge is a Licensed Building Practitioner and has substantial experience in the industry. His work can be found in residential housing and commercial properties throughout New Zealand.
Dean Buckeridge Architecture’s expertise lies in the design and construction of energy efficient homes and commercial buildings, namely:
- Energy-efficient homes incorporating the principles of passive solar design, created specifically to suit the client’s site and lifestyle.
- Structural Insulated Panel construction using the MagRoc Insulated Building System.
- Sustainable architecture including off-grid and grid-tied homes.
- Earthquake-resistant homes designed to double the new bracing requirements of the NZ Building Code and to incorporate a greater degree of self-reliance for coping in the aftermath of an earthquake.
Dean Buckeridge NZCD (Arch) LBP Design 2
Dean has been an architectural designer for over 18 years. “My initial reasons for getting involved in architecture aside from my love of design is that I knew even from a very early age that there had to be a way to build better houses.” His considerable body of work encompasses: new housing projects from modest to aspirational; residential alterations and renovations; accommodation facilities including lodges, motels and rest homes; light commercial buildings; and specialist structures such as veterinary practices.
Throughout this time Dean’s main interest and source of greatest satisfaction has been working with clients to help them design and build a home that best suits their needs and lifestyle. In his view: “Our homes are the most important places in the world. We build them for the people who are most important to us – our families. There is no greater mark of friendship than being invited into another person’s home to share a meal with them.”
As an architectural designer, Dean is passionate about creating living environments of the highest standard. Not only in terms of functionality and appearance, but also in the quality of the environment, making them healthy and extremely comfortable places to live.
“The greatest factor that influences the comfort and health of a home is its internal temperature. This means being sufficiently warm in winter, cool in summer, and the air quality being neither too damp nor stale. This can be achieved not by spending large amounts of money on energy-consuming mechanical systems but through appropriate building design and construction.” This philosophy has been applied to the majority of his work where each house design has been part of an evolutionary process of continual improvement in design and use of materials and construction methods leading to being invited to join Steve Knewstubb of Christchurch in the development of the MagRoc Insulated Building System.
“Structural Insulated Panels such as the MagRoc system are I believe the future for residential construction. They have so many advantages over conventional timber frame construction, significantly superior insulation and air tightness combined with enormous structural strength, speed of construction and cost effectiveness.”