Winner of the Small Home category for Home of the Year 2025, Kākā Pod by Rafe Maclean Architects is a sliver of whimsy and light-filled bliss in an unlikely corner of a suburban site in Wānaka.
Built for bird-loving homeowners based in Wellington, where kākā are frequent visitors, this compact residence and its neighbour on the site, Te Kea, share a language of treetop connections and skilled landings.
Designed as a break-out space for the homeowners’ now grown children to escape and stay away from the main dwelling, Kākā Pod feels like a joyful sanctuary despite its close proximity to neighbours.
Curved and elevated on poles to dodge council drain easements and fit around existing trees, the home has surprises written into its walls. Clad in a lichen-green corrugated metal that speaks to the fern green of Te Kea, the structure appears enclosed from the outside but is cleverly designed to invite dappled sunlight and leafy views to enter its curve-edged, quirky shell.
The roofline and the interior program follow the gradient of the land, stepping down from the entrance area to the living space, then again to the bedroom. Entry is through an angled, inset doorway opening onto a double-height space filled with tree-filtered light, which illuminates the structural detail in the ceiling and walls and accentuates the sense of space, says Rafe.
“Like when you enter a dense forest and there is an opening to the sky,” he adds. “The way the odd shaped building hugs the site’s contours. It’s like a rigid building has deformed into a ‘relaxed’ pose, which I think is transferred – somehow – to the experience of the user of the home.”
As this close suburban site was never going to enjoy lake or mountain views, the focus was placed on the immediate environment. Light is pulled into the lofty central living zone via skylights and high windows, framing those views of flax fronds and upper tree branches while still retaining privacy.
Kākā Pod is cleverly programmed so that not a single of its 60 square metres is wasted. A window seat in the living room is a cosy place to enjoy the wood-burner fire while adding further seating opportunities for visitors. A section of screening brings the heat from this fireplace down to the bedroom, providing welcome warmth in the winter. Overhead, a mezzanine sleeping loft accessed via an ergonomically angled ladder has the essence of a tree hut, accentuated by the plywood wall linings that carry throughout the interiors.
The kitchen with its yellow cabinetry is emblematic of other Rafe Maclean designs, such as the bright detailing in Kōwhai House and the orange wings of Te Kea. It acts as a warming device, adding glow to the timber walls while also lending a sense of playfulness.
“We were after certain elements to visually ‘pop’ in contrast to the largely timber surrounds,” says Rafe. “Thinking of colours that ‘pop’ in the native plant forest, a kōwhai flower seemed to be a natural choice — a touch of sunshine!”
With the bedroom set below the living space, there is also a fun, sunken feel to this triangular room that is added to by a low window that skirts the floor. The upper section of this window slides down, creating a balcony-like spot to peer out into the trees and watch the birdlife.
Outside, the home is finished with decking on the west and south to connect to the native planting, with the entry deck stepping down from a pathway connecting to Te Kea above.
Along with the main dwelling, the colour choice for the exterior of the building articulates beautifully with the natural environment surrounding it, a welcome departure from the commonly used schist and cedar in this part of the country.
“Having a really good builder in Owens Building, who was obsessive about finishing details was vital to making it all come together,” says Rafe.
Judges on the Home of the Year tour commended the sense of surprise they felt on entry, celebrating the distinctiveness of its form. Kākā Pod is an unexpected yet perfectly executed structure, adding holiday-making amenity and a touch of eccentricity to this Wānaka location.
Words: Federico Monsalve
Images: Simon Devitt
Project Credits
Architecture — Rafe Maclean Architects
Build — Owens Building
Cladding — Colorsteel
Fire — Warmington
Tapware — Plumbline
Citation
A small gem full of creativity that translated into surprise and an inherent sense of calm. For such a small space, there is plenty of internal volume and light, simplicity and awe; playfulness and maturity of thought. Despite its dense context, the designers have used curvature and inspired proportions to craft a standout little nest.
