Popadich House

A beautifully detailed and deceptively simple courtyard house. Stepping stones and boardwalks provide the transition from the stone-walled courtyard and the ground plane to the house which floats lightly above regenerating native plantings. The development work includes a significant and on-going rehabilitation of the farmed land. Highly rational planning and overhanging hipped roof forms belie a richness of interior spaces and experience. A low-impact and restrained palette of natural unfinished timber linings, timber flooring and cabinetry is complemented with black stained structural timbers, black joinery, local stone and corrugated steel roofing making for a beautifully serene rural home - a retreat at one with the whenua.

— Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects awards jury citation.

Awards:

Sir lan Athfield Award for Housing
Te Kahui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects

New Zealand Architecture Award
Te Kahui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Award
Te Kahui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects

Here Awards Winner
Best New House - Here Magazine

ArchDaily
Best Architectural Projects of 2025

Published:

Architecture NZ

Here magazine, New Zealand

Green magazine, Australia

The Local Project. Video