Wellington · Ngaire, near Martinborough
A wind-rated one-bed in the Wairarapa hills
26 m² one-bed cabin on a hilltop above Martinborough. NZS3604 Extra High wind zone. Continuous tie-down from rafter to slab; aluminium battens chosen over timber for the southerly.
The story
The site is a hilltop above Martinborough, Cook Strait visible to the south on a clear day. The wind data on the building consent paperwork told the rest of the story: NZS3604 Extra High wind zone, design wind speed 55 m/s.
Wairarapa Tiny Builders' standard one-bed already comes wind-rated to High; getting to Extra High meant continuous structural tie-downs from rafter through framing into the concrete slab, plus aluminium batten cladding (which doesn't peel like cedar in those gusts) and storm-rated thermally broken aluminium joinery.
Eighteen weeks on site, a fortnight delayed by a southerly that put the framing crew off the hill for three days. Final wind-loading inspection signed off by the engineer and forwarded to Carterton District Council for the CCC.
Scope notes
- NZS3604 Extra High wind zone designed
- Continuous structural tie-downs (rafter → bottom plate → slab)
- Aluminium batten cladding (not timber)
- Storm-rated thermally broken aluminium joinery
- Pile-and-slab foundation, engineered for site
- Code of Compliance Certificate issued by Carterton DC
Spec
- Internal floor area: 25.8 m²
- External envelope: 7,200 × 3,500 mm
- Wind zone: NZS3604 Extra High (55 m/s)
- Cladding: aluminium battens, anodised dark bronze
- Insulation: R3.6 wall / R5.0 ceiling / R2.8 underfloor
Consent path
Carterton DC building consent, eight weeks.