Chaney & Norman Architects

Chaney & Norman Architects We focus on creating energy efficient homes with a very high level of thermal performance.
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Our projects are shaped in response to the local environment and are designed to unlock the potential of a site and brief. We believe the journey through every project should be collaborative and fun. As a small but mighty practice, we are friendly and approachable, and we aim to make the creation of your home as enjoyable for you as it is for us.

Pointy Flat House - Winner - Southern Architecture Awards 2026We were delighted to be in Dunedin last Friday evening at ...
29/05/2026

Pointy Flat House - Winner - Southern Architecture Awards 2026

We were delighted to be in Dunedin last Friday evening at the Southern Awards to celebrate receiving an award for Pointy Flat House. It’s an honour to have our work recognised alongside so many thoughtful projects and talented people. Big thanks to everyone involved along the way and to our wonderful clients for giving us the opportunity to create something special for them.

Carefully crafted by Brendan Holloway Construction

Beautifully photographed by

Photos from last week’s crisp autumn morning, hosting the jury through our shortlisted Pointy Flat House for the Te Kāhu...
24/04/2026

Photos from last week’s crisp autumn morning, hosting the jury through our shortlisted Pointy Flat House for the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Southern Awards.

Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects

Early days on a new project - using ourselves as reference points to get a feel for the building platform, views and sca...
02/04/2026

Early days on a new project - using ourselves as reference points to get a feel for the building platform, views and scale of the site. There is no substitute for being there.

The WAO Summit wrapped up last week, and we’re still reflecting on the incredible ideas and conversations shared - espec...
07/11/2025

The WAO Summit wrapped up last week, and we’re still reflecting on the incredible ideas and conversations shared - especially during Better Building Day.

One concept that really resonated was Planetary Accounting, presented by Kate Meyer from .
It offered a powerful framework for thinking about how the materials and systems we choose connect to the planet’s wider limits - something deeply relevant to every design decision we make.

A huge thank you to the WAO team and speakers for such an inspiring event.

24/10/2025

COURTYARDS

‘where there’s a view, there’s a wind’

In Wanaka’s environment, courtyards do more than connect the indoors and out - they create nooks that are sheltered from the breeze, capture the sun, and frame the mountain views in every season.

Thoughtfully designed courtyards bring warmth, light, and privacy to modern homes, and turn an outdoor space into the heart of the home year-round.

The Lake House photographed by

Colorsteel Awards – Finalist! We are over the moon to announce that our Pointy Flat House is one of six national finalis...
17/10/2025

Colorsteel Awards – Finalist!

We are over the moon to announce that our Pointy Flat House is one of six national finalists in the Residential Category of the Colorsteel Awards!

During their recent visit for the second round of judging, the awards jury highlighted the home’s individual character and smaller scale as standout elements, a wonderful acknowledgement of the project’s design intent and ex*****on

For this project, we chose the Kahu Metal profile for both the upper cladding and roofing because it offered the perfect combination of style, performance, and sustainability; exactly what our clients were looking for.

Visually, the Kahu profile gives a modern twist to contrast against the classic corrugated iron and cast concrete of the original building. The tight rib pattern creates strong shadow lines, adding depth and interest to the exterior while beautifully highlighting the home’s dynamic shape and design. Functionally, it allowed us to use the same material across both the roof and walls, creating a clean, seamless look.

Photography by

Pointy Flat House Inside, the spaces balance connection and retreat, from open family areas to a secluded loft workspace...
15/10/2025

Pointy Flat House

Inside, the spaces balance connection and retreat, from open family areas to a secluded loft workspace with views of Grandview Mountain. Every choice was made for the owners’ way of life, not for the market, creating a home that feels honest, resilient, and truly part of its place.

Photography by and .nz

Pointy Flat House The home is designed to be smarter, not bigger. Careful detailing, including high levels of insulation...
10/10/2025

Pointy Flat House

The home is designed to be smarter, not bigger. Careful detailing, including high levels of insulation, airtight construction, and efficient heating and cooling systems, ensures year-round comfort with minimal energy use. Reused materials, like the original concrete pillars now forming garden steps, reflect the clients’ commitment to sustainability and creativity.

Photography by

Pointy Flat HouseIn Hāwea Flat, our clients set out to transform a rustic farm shed into a warm, sustainable home that c...
08/10/2025

Pointy Flat House

In Hāwea Flat, our clients set out to transform a rustic farm shed into a warm, sustainable home that connects deeply with the land around it. The design builds on the character of the original concrete and timber structures while adding two new “pods” to capture views of the surrounding mountains.

Photography by

Colorsteel AwardsWe were chuffed to host the Colorsteel Awards jury at two of our Wānaka projects recently for the secon...
26/09/2025

Colorsteel Awards

We were chuffed to host the Colorsteel Awards jury at two of our Wānaka projects recently for the second round of judging, including the Cardrona River Terrace House.

This particular project prominently features the Kahu Metal profile for both its cladding and roofing. We selected this profile for its aesthetic appeal, functionality, and it’s ability to support our client's brief for an eco-friendly forever home.

Aesthetically, the Kahu Metal profile offers a modern interpretation of corrugated iron. Its tight rib repetition creates bolder shadow lines compared to other profiles, providing an excellent balance of light and shadow across the length of the built forms.

From a functional perspective, the versatility of this profile allowed for a monolithic cladding and roof application across a variety of pitches, some as low as 3-degrees. Excellent roof space ventilation helps to minimise heat build-up in summer, a key factor in minimising overheating within the interior spaces.

Additionally, the Colorsteel Endura finish supports the collection of rainwater, which is harvested and stored on-site in two banks of underground water tanks totalling 17,500L. This water is then used for irrigation of the vegetable plots, orchards, and 1,500m2 of native planting, supporting the client's aspirations for resourceful living and their holistic vision of sustainability.

Photography by

Address

19 Reece Crescent
Wanaka
9305

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

03 443 8060

Website

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