New horizons

A forward-thinking couple designed and built their home around the movement of the sun

- Holly Jean Brooker

High school sweethearts, Laura and Shaun Andrews have had a few adventures in their 12-plus years together. Their latest exploit led them to rural Hawke’s Bay, where they started a successful solar power company, built a new home, and are about to have their first baby.

The couple, originally from Blenheim, have lived around the country, from Christchurch to Whangārei, before shifting to Hawke’s Bay seven years ago. After studying as a child and family psychologist, Laura sidestepped into a sales job, and discovered she loved it. When Shaun was relocated to Napier, Laura saw a gap in the commercial and residential solar power market and took the chance to launch her own business, Ecoefficient Solutions. It’s grown so much Shaun now works full-time in the business.

Launching their own business did mean an investment in time and money, so the couple kept living costs low by renting a small flat for six years while they slowly saved for their own home. With a deposit finally ready, the hunt for a home began, but they hit a road block, says Laura.

“It quickly became obvious that it was going to be really hard to find something affordable that didn’t need a major renovation. We went to a few open homes and thought we would have to spend $800,000 to purchase, and then another $300,000 to renovate, so we began to consider the idea of building a new home.”

On the land