This is a single-storey family home on a retired farmland block: a working home since both parents work from here most of the time. With a holistic approach to building design and land management, the project involved native planting restoration of approximately 40 per cent of the total land area and biodiversity enhancement. There is an ongoing commitment to weed, pest and livestock management, and low-carbon construction is further offset by native planting restoration.

Jury citation:

Craig Moller, Beth Cameron, Nicola Herbst and Ilana Freadman

“An elegantly restrained house set amongst mature regenerative native planting, this project responds to the needs and aspirations of the architect’s own home in a casual and relaxed manner. Based on a 600mm grid of rafters, the dwelling embraces a courtyard, which, together with decks, provides a series of spaces to be enjoyed both indoors and out. A studio completes the formal diagram of the square and provides an elevated counterpoint to the house set out around an L-shaped plan. Careful and thoughtful-yet-robust detailing continues the ideas of the house to be enjoyed at a smaller scale. This mature work from an experienced architect demonstrates that the flexibility of the plan and the adaptability of spaces provide an adaptable environment for everyday family use and activities.”

Project team:

Davor Popadich

www.davorpopadich.com

The New Zealand Architecture Awards receive generous support from Resene, a steadfast sponsor of the program since 1991, and APL, which commenced its sponsorship of the awards in 2021.