Cambridge-based Higgs Building and Tawa Architecture have joined up to bring the latest high-performance home innovation and design to new builds in the Waikato.
The official launch of their new joint venture, Ebode Homes, was unveiled today at their show home open day in Kotare Park, Cambridge.
“We created Ebode Homes to raise the bar with new builds,” says Higgs Building founder Shaun Higgins. “Our architecturally designed houses are built with high-performance Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), marking a significant departure from the traditional construction methods familiar to many in New Zealand.”
Ebode Homes
Each home constructed by Ebode surpasses standard building codes while prioritising sustainability and energy efficiency.
To achieve a high-performing home, Ebode favours an innovative but proven prefabricated building system called structural insulated panels (SIPs). These panels consist of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two boards.
Using SIPs allows the creation of high-quality, energy-efficient, sustainable homes that can be built more quickly than homes with traditional timber framing.
Higgins established the family-run Higgs Building in 2020 after spending time overseas and seeing firsthand how much more energy-efficient and high-performing houses were compared to back home.
His view is that current building standards aren’t up to scratch, leaving New Zealanders living in homes that are still cold and damp even when they’re new.
“We believe that each home should be designed and built with its actual energy consumption in mind. While new building regulations have led to better insulation to keep homes warm, they’re now causing overheating issues, requiring air conditioning to cool them down,” says Higgins.
“There’s a better way to achieve comfort in New Zealand homes—ensuring they stay cool in summer as well as warm in winter. Simply adding thermal glazing and installing a heat pump isn’t good enough anymore.”
Shaun Higgins (r) and Brooke Cholmondeley-Smith (l)at the launch of Ebode Homes
A high-performance SIPs home achieves this balance exceptionally well, without needing excess energy to heat, cool, or keep dry, all while adhering to new building regulations.
The company has quickly established a reputation for excellence and innovation in the construction industry. “We need to embrace high performance as a standard for our new builds,” said Higgins.
“The launch of Ebode Homes allows us to take our commitment a step further, integrating innovative SIPs technology with top-quality craftsmanship to create homes that are beautifully designed and consciously built.”
“A passive home is the next level up and must be certified and pass several energy-based criteria,” he says.
Certified passive house and high-performance designers Tawa Architecture are pioneers of passive house design, with director Brooke Cholmondeley-Smith completing the first passive house in Waikato in 2011.
For Higgins, joining forces with Tawa to create Ebode Homes was a natural progression for two Cambridge-based companies that share a vision for healthier, more efficient homes.
“It made sense on so many levels and means we can offer a full-service design and build solution for those looking to build a high-quality, beautiful house that’s been meticulously designed for energy efficiency,” he says.
The sitting room upstairs in the show home.
Ebode Homes are ahead of the game building with passive house principles.
“This will be the base standard for new builds in the future,” says Cholmondeley-Smith, who brings more than 25 years of national and international experience to the new venture.
He explains that a certified Passive House is expected to have only 0.6 air changes per hour, whereas there is currently no New Zealand building requirement for air changes. A newly built, code-compliant home may experience 5 to 10 air changes per hour, meaning warm indoor air leaks out frequently and is replaced by cooler exterior air.
“Our showroom achieved a result of 0.78 air changes per hour, a testament to the quality of our build team. This means the temperature inside remains far more stable.
At Ebode Homes, we’re really excited to offer our clients a full-service experience with in-house architecture and interior design. By bringing it all together with our expert build team, we make the whole process easier and more streamlined—everything’s under one roof,” he says.
“This way, clients get access to an award-winning team that takes care of every step, ensuring a seamless, personalised and high-quality home, just the way they want it.”
Shaun Higgins (L) and Brooke Cholmondeley-Smith (R) have teamed up to launch Ebode Homes
