Abodo’s Alpine Village

Project Scope:
Abodo’s Alpine Village at Cardrona which showcased a range of materials by Abodo. Designed by First Light Studio in collaboration with FLiP Healthy Homes, the villas are a liveable example of how Abodo’s products can be used in a residential setting. Each of the three villas has a slightly different look and feel inside, with a range of Abodo thermally treated timber products and finishes used for everything from external wall cladding, ceilings, wall linings, to cabinetry, decking and fencing. “Part of the brief was to test a range of products in what is really one of the harshest environments we have here in this country,” Eli Nuttall from First Slight Studio says, explaining that the highly efficient homes were designed to achieve a Homestar 7 rating. This was accomplished through double framed stud walls with an air tightness layer through the centre, sheepswool insulation, and thermally broken double glazed windows, which are recessed back to the thermal line to boost performance. The homes were prefabricated in Christchurch and were then carefully transferred to the site using a rail system, which meant there was no need for cranes. Cardrona’s alpine location is known for its dry hot summers and is also a famous ski area, so the thermally modified timbers are really put to the test there. The client was proud to have built such high-performance homes on a comparatively modest budget.