The Modern Rustic Farmhouse wins 2024 Master Builders House of the Year Gold Award

Nala Studio Architects is proud to announce that our bespoke residential design, “A Modern Rustic Farmhouse”, has won the prestigious 2024 Master Builders House of the Year Gold Award (Auckland / Northland / Coromandel) as well as the Regional Category Award.

Designed by Nala Studio Architects and beautifully crafted by NeoBuild, this award-winning farmhouse represents the very best in New Zealand residential architecture, modern farmhouse design, and high-performance home construction and craftmanship.

A Gold Award-Winning Modern Farmhouse Design

The 2024 Master Builders House of the Year Gold Award recognises excellence in workmanship, architectural design, detailing, and overall project delivery. Our Modern Rustic Farmhouse stood out for its:

• Refined architectural planning
• Exceptional craftsmanship
• Cohesive indoor–outdoor flow
• Sustainable and climate-responsive design
• High-spec finishes and detailing

This home is not simply a rural residence, it is a masterclass in modern farmhouse architecture and construction, combining rustic materiality with contemporary design precision.

Contemporary Farmhouse Architecture Rooted in the New Zealand Landscape

Clad in deep-toned Triclad timber, the home nestles seamlessly into the surrounding timbered horizon. The dark vertical cladding provides durability while enhancing the rural aesthetic — a hallmark of modern rustic architectural design in New Zealand.

The home’s H-configuration floor plan is central to its success. This architectural layout creates:

• A sheltered, north-facing courtyard
• A substantial outdoor entertaining patio
• Strong visual connections across living zones
• Natural cross-ventilation and passive solar gain

The expansive north-facing patio anchors the home, forming the heart of the entertaining space and reinforcing the project’s commitment to indoor–outdoor living, a defining feature of contemporary New Zealand homes.

Light-Filled Interiors with Architectural Detail

Internally, the home is designed to glow with natural light. Carefully positioned glazing maximises northern sun, enhancing warmth, comfort, and energy efficiency.

Key interior architectural features include:

• Sculptural fin walls that frame circulation spaces
• Striking exposed rafters celebrating structural expression
• A gourmet designer kitchen with premium finishes
• A tranquil lounge retreat with layered textures
• Carefully curated material palettes that balance warmth and modernity
• Every space has been thoughtfully composed to deliver luxury rural living, blending comfort, craftsmanship, and architectural integrity.

Built with Award-Winning Craftsmanship

The success of this project is a testament to the collaboration between Nala Studio Architects and NeoBuild, whose expert workmanship brought the design vision to life.

The Master Builders judges recognised:

• Precision detailing
• Superior material execution
• Cohesive architectural expression
• Outstanding build quality

Winning both the Gold Award and a Regional Category Award affirms the project’s excellence in both design and construction.

As a leading residential architecture practice based in Auckland and Queenstown, Nala Studio Architects specialises in:

• Bespoke home design
• Modern farmhouse architecture
• Rural lifestyle properties
• High-end residential builds
• Sustainable architectural solutions

This award-winning farmhouse reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, client-focused architectural design that responds to both site and lifestyle.

The Modern Rustic Farmhouse is more than an award-winning house, it is a celebration of form, function, craftsmanship, and contemporary New Zealand architecture.