Architectural homes demand more than standard gas installations. They call for early design input, exact appliance sizing, discreet services, and documentation that keeps your consent and handover smooth. Phil and the team at AM/PM Plumbing & Gas have spent over 25 years working alongside architects, builders and project managers across Marlborough and Blenheim to deliver quiet, efficient and visually tidy gas solutions for high‑spec homes. From continuous flow hot water to indoor and outdoor decorative fires and chef‑grade hobs and ovens, we integrate gas systems that complement the architecture, not compete with it.
Designed in from day one
The best outcomes start at concept. We coordinate with your architect on appliance locations, bottle pads, service risers, flue routes and make‑up air so structural, weathertightness and thermal details are resolved before framing. This avoids last‑minute compromises like visible pipework, awkward penetrations or noisy plant in the wrong place. We map isolation points where they can actually be reached, label clearly for future service, and allow working clearances so appliances can be maintained without dismantling cabinetry.
What we install for architectural new builds
- Continuous flow gas hot water sized to simultaneous demand, with short, efficient pipe runs that minimise wait times and water waste.
- Indoor decorative fires that deliver ambience with correct clearances, flueing and combustion air – trimmed in finishes that match your interior detailing.
- Outdoor fires and fire tables selected for coastal exposure, with corrosion‑resistant components and weather‑smart terminations.
- Kitchen hobs and ovens jetted, regulated and ventilated correctly, matched to your bench and cabinetry details.
- Boiler integration where the home includes hydronic underfloor heating or radiators, with zoning and control strategies that feel effortless to live with.
Compliance without the drama
New Zealand’s Building Code includes a specific clause for gas in buildings. We design and install to Clause G11 – Gas as an energy source, using the current Acceptable Solution G11/AS1 as our baseline for safe pressure, ventilation, flues and protection devices. If you want to see the official framework we align to, MBIE’s Building Performance site hosts the clause overview and the Acceptable Solution document, which set out what compliant installations must achieve in new homes.
Consumer‑facing safety guidance from WorkSafe New Zealand mirrors our approach at site level – only licensed practitioners may carry out and certify gas fitting, and installations must be commissioned and maintained correctly. This is the standard we follow for every architectural project, from first fix to handover.
If you ever want to verify a practitioner’s licence independently, the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board maintains a searchable public register. It is the quickest way to confirm who is legally authorised to do the work on your project.
Marlborough fuel reality – LPG by design
In Marlborough and the wider South Island, reticulated natural gas is not available to households, so architectural new builds are typically designed for LPG supply. That shapes plant location, regulator selection and bottle pad design from the outset, and it is important to plan these details early with the site layout and landscaping. Genesis Energy’s service information confirms that natural gas is provided in the North Island, with LPG the supply route in the South Island, and the Gas Industry Company’s registry tool notes that it records reticulated natural gas connections in the North Island only.
Ventilation, flues and the building envelope
Great outcomes balance performance with quiet, invisible operation. We size and route flues to maintain safe clearances while keeping terminations discreet on the façade or roofscape. We coordinate with your designer on penetrations, support, fire‑stopping and weathertightness so details align with cladding systems and roofing profiles. The Building Code’s G4 Ventilation guidance provides the bigger‑picture context for occupied spaces; we reference it when planning make‑up air and extraction so indoor air quality remains safe and comfortable.
Acoustics and placement
Architectural homes are quiet by intent. We minimise noise transfer by using rigid mounts, appropriate antivibration isolation and by placing continuous flow appliances and regulators away from bedrooms and quiet living zones. Where plant must be near sensitive areas, we design in baffles, screening and reflective clearances that protect both sound and aesthetics.
Corrosion and coastal conditions
Blenheim and Marlborough Sounds sites face salt‑laden air, so external components deserve special attention. We specify corrosion‑resistant brackets and fasteners, UV‑stable lagging and sheltered terminations that respect wind patterns and spray. Pipe routes are planned to avoid low points that collect water, and we set conservative maintenance intervals for exposed appliances.
Controls and smart operation
Modern gas systems integrate well with whole‑home control platforms. We set up safe default temperatures, calibrate thermostats and explain how to run hot water and decorative fires economically day to day. If your home includes hydronic heating, we align boiler staging and pump speeds with room‑by‑room zoning so comfort is even at lower flow temperatures.
Documentation you can build on
Architectural projects live and die on documentation. We provide clear scopes, compliant installation details, commissioning results and certificates for your consent and insurance records. Our handover material includes serials, jetting information, regulator settings, flue locations and service intervals so future work is fast and predictable. If the project is staged, we document each stage and keep variations under control.
Our process for architects and builders
- Pre‑design workshop to map appliances, plant space, service routes and bottle pads.
- Design development where we size supply, confirm ventilation and flue concepts, and produce notes for consent drawings.
- Construction phase with tidy first fix, coordinated penetrations and site‑friendly sequencing.
- Commissioning and certification including pressure tests, combustion checks and user training.
- Aftercare with planned servicing so performance stays consistent through the seasons.
Frequently asked questions
Can we hide flues completely to preserve the façade lines?
We can often conceal routes internally and choose low‑profile terminations, but flues must meet strict clearance and performance rules. We will show you options and the trade‑offs early so aesthetics and safety both win. The Acceptable Solution to G11 explains the compliance principles for flues and associated safety devices that we work to on every project.
Do we design for natural gas or LPG in Marlborough?
For homes in Blenheim and across Marlborough, we design for LPG supply. There is no residential reticulated natural gas network in the South Island, so early planning for bottle location, regulator choice and landscaping integration is essential.
Who signs off the gas work at the end?
Only licensed practitioners can certify gasfitting in New Zealand. We complete commissioning and provide the certificates required for your consent and insurance files. If you’d like to check a licence yourself, use the PGDB public register. PGDB
What about ventilation for large, airtight homes?
Airtight, high‑performance homes need carefully designed make‑up air and extraction to keep occupants safe and comfortable. We coordinate with your mechanical designer and reference G4 Ventilation expectations so cooking, fires and hot water operate correctly without compromising indoor air quality.
Ready to integrate gas the right way?
If you are planning an architectural new build in Blenheim or anywhere in Marlborough, bring us in early. We will help you lock in appliance strategy, plant space, flue paths and ventilation so consent is straightforward and the finished result looks and feels exactly as it should. AM/PM Plumbing & Gas delivers tidy, compliant gas installations that respect your architecture and perform day in, day out.