Case Studies

New traditional homes are insulated with wool to last generations

by | May 29, 2024

Bringing new ‘old’ houses to the New Zealand market has been well-received for Christchurch developers Brooksfield. Established in 2017, they are now building around 150 classic-styled homes each year, built with enduring products, including wool insulation by Terra Lana.

‘We use natural materials like wool wherever possible – our clients love it,’ says Vinny Holloway, Director of Brooksfield. ‘In terms of the amenities, we are about the same price as our competitors, but our homes look better and are made of better materials.’

The unique look of Brooksfield’s developments came about after Vinny discovered the work of English architect Ben Pentreath. ‘Ben works exclusively designing new traditional buildings, which is constructing new houses in a classic style, like Georgian or Victorian. He’s an expert at it, and everything he does is period-correct. He designs all of our houses now and with a history of colonial Georgian architecture here in New Zealand, the style and scale sit well in our cities.’

Natural fibres for exceptional performance and safety

Wool’s natural ability to ‘breathe’ gives it a natural advantage over glass fibre insulation, particularly when it comes to moisture retention. ‘You will get moisture in any wall, but with Terra Lana, this gets expelled through natural processes, whereas I’ve seen glass fibre insulation hold onto water, lowering the thermal performance of the insulation.’

Using wool insulation also provides health benefits for installers, with no carcinogens, allergens or harmful fibres. ‘Ironically, the most unhealthy jobs are often performed by lowest-income workers,’ says Vinny. ‘We make sure building materials are not in danger of harming our team, so we choose our products very carefully.’

‘We value that the wool for Terra Lana insulation is grown locally on Banks Peninsula. When you buy synthetic batts, you are importing someone else’s raw material. Wherever possible, we want to use a New Zealand supply chain for both embodied carbon and local economy reasons.’

Inspired by the past, focused on the future

With an ethos based on traditional architectural forms, Brooksfield also looks closely at what materials they build with – timber and brick, wool, and other quality natural materials that will endure.

‘We make our houses so they last the longest time, I would hope 100 or more years. But at some point in time, any house will be opened up and renovated, and we want to make sure what our houses are made of doesn’t create a waste problem for future generations. It’s not that much more expensive to use Terra Lana over glass fibre, and as insulation is one of the most important choices in making a home comfortable, we won’t compromise.’

Talk to our team

Contact us to find out which Terra Lana product is right for your project. Email us at spec@terralana.co.nz or phone us on 0800 485 262.

Project credits

Product: Terra Lana wall insulation

Architect: Ben Pentreath, UK

Builder: Brooksfield

Writer: Folio

Biodegradable wool DagMat boosts plant growth in new wetland

Biodegradable wool DagMat boosts plant growth in new wetland

Government backs wool in construction

Government backs wool in construction

Drop-in floor insulation for timber suspended floors

Drop-in floor insulation for timber suspended floors

Navigating H1: Supporting specifications & calculations

Navigating H1: Supporting specifications & calculations

Terra Lana achieves Eco Choice certification

Terra Lana achieves Eco Choice certification

Camp Glenorchy: sustainable design with Terra Lana wool insulation

Camp Glenorchy: sustainable design with Terra Lana wool insulation

Wool’s Carbon-Sinking Properties Ideal for Sustainable Construction

Wool’s Carbon-Sinking Properties Ideal for Sustainable Construction

Tuhiraki AgResearch – A world-leading research centre for natural products 

Tuhiraki AgResearch – A world-leading research centre for natural products 

Te Huhi Raupō, Taranaki Base Hospital Renal Unit – a globally recognised sustainable building

Te Huhi Raupō, Taranaki Base Hospital Renal Unit – a globally recognised sustainable building

Custom manufacturing for optimal thermal performance and less waste

Custom manufacturing for optimal thermal performance and less waste

Red List Free wool insulation helps meet the Living Building Challenge

Red List Free wool insulation helps meet the Living Building Challenge

New traditional homes are insulated with wool to last generations

New traditional homes are insulated with wool to last generations

Committed partners help close the recycling loop

Committed partners help close the recycling loop

Ethos Homes choose wool insulation for Passive House homes 

Ethos Homes choose wool insulation for Passive House homes 

From farm to market: Redefining wool supply

From farm to market: Redefining wool supply

Sustainable materials elevate rural home’s energy efficiency

Sustainable materials elevate rural home’s energy efficiency

Wool Products are the best choice for your home

Wool Products are the best choice for your home

Our Wool Story

Our Wool Story

Elevating Commercial Projects with Wool Products: Sustainability Meets Innovation

Elevating Commercial Projects with Wool Products: Sustainability Meets Innovation

Elevating Architectural Sustainability: Harnessing the Power of Wool Products.

Elevating Architectural Sustainability: Harnessing the Power of Wool Products.

The Importance of Sustainable Choices in Contemporary Architecture.

The Importance of Sustainable Choices in Contemporary Architecture.

Green Landscaping with Wool: Sustainable Solutions for Landscapers

Green Landscaping with Wool: Sustainable Solutions for Landscapers

Sparks Rd Reserve

Sparks Rd Reserve

Quafies Rd reserve

Quafies Rd reserve

CNC Northern Corridor Motorway

CNC Northern Corridor Motorway

Taylors Mistake

Taylors Mistake

The Wall House

The Wall House

Wairarapa Terrace

Wairarapa Terrace

Sustainable change – The future of our construction industry

Sustainable change – The future of our construction industry

Christchurch Arts Centre

Christchurch Arts Centre

Sales & Specifications

Contact our team to find out which Terra Lana product is right for your project.