Orokonui House

Window & Glass Awards (WGANZ) 2026, Design – Residential: Lower South Island category WINNER!

Set alongside the Orokonui Bird Sanctuary, this distinctive home is immersed in native bush and birdlife, drawing inspiration from the layered, branching form of the surrounding trees. The building is arranged into branching wings, creating sheltered living zones that respond directly to the landscape and natural environment.

APL Metro ThermalHeart® series windows and doors, paired with Solux Ultra® glazing from AGP, are used extensively to maximise light, views and ventilation while maintaining year‑round thermal comfort. Bi‑parting sliders on all elevations allow the home to open in multiple directions for maximum ventilation, giving the owners flexibility to respond to sun, wind and daily conditions. A Plasma Smooth PLA00 entry door with Elemental hardware provides a strong yet understated point of arrival, reinforced with Elemental hardware throughout for consistency and durability. The joinery finish in matt Flaxpod was carefully selected to complement the cladding while visually receding into the landscape, allowing views and surroundings to take precedence.

Communication with the architect and builder was cruicial to the success of this project. We needed to ensure that all mullions lined up millimetre perfect - there was no room for error! Our maufacturing team made templates and tested these on site before full fabrication could begin - this was crucial to ensuring the pitch was correct and that the head lined up exactly with the internal ceiling. The use of gib adaptors was imperative to the aesthetic of the ceiling continuing through the window to the raking soffit. Gib adaptors were also used on the jambs and finished with custom flashings.

The completed home sits lightly within its setting, with glazing opening the interior to bush views while reflecting the surrounding environment. The combination of careful joinery detailing, restrained colour selection and strong architectural intent results in a home where form, performance and place are closely aligned. The project is a clear example of how thoughtful joinery integration can elevate both environmental response and architectural expression.

The Windows & Doors:

• Metro ThermalHeart® series
• Solux Ultra® from AGP
• Elemental hardware
• Plasma Smooth PLA00 with elemental hardware