We grew up coming down the hill at low tide to the old bach, carting chilly bins and sleeping bags.

A bedroom with a wooden paneled wall, a bed with white pillows and rust-colored cushions, and a black wall-mounted lamp with a visible bulb hanging next to the bed.

Raupo was always a place to slow down. Its closeness to the land is what makes it so.  Here, wellness means a sauna to stoke, a beach to walk, a bath to fill, a book to read.

We’ve kept this project close to our hearts with both farm & family. Since graduating in 2023, our son Henry can proudly call Raupo his first architectural project. His design is contemporary but humble, modern but nostalgic.  Our eldest daughter Ana has brought her creative touch to the brand and website, capturing the essence of this place. And finally Maggie, our youngest daughter who’s studying marketing, has been tasked with keeping our story alive online & through social media.  

A smiling middle-aged woman with blonde hair and a middle-aged man with dark, curly hair standing outside behind a metal fence in front of a modern building with large windows on a sunny day.

Every decision regarding its inception has been made with care – a low footprint, high sustainability, and a deep respect for the land it sits on. The bach remains true to the original footprint. Inside, the macrocarpa timber was milled on the farm, crafted into tables and built-in furniture. 

The farm’s wool has been turned into insulation, wrapping the bach in a natural & organic warmth. Many elements – an old beam, the buoys that hang from the ceiling, the rocks and pavers underfoot – have been reused and reimagined. Each one adds to the texture of the place, grounding it in its history while giving it a fresh life. 

Being off-grid, the building relies on solar energy. It’s taught us to live simply, but provides just enough of the small things to make ‘off grid’ living, a holiday: a light when you need it, an espresso coffee in the morning, & ice with a drink! It’s the simple things.

Three people smiling and standing close together outdoors with an ocean and grassy hills in the background. The person in the middle has their arms around the two women on either side.