Lotus Eco Village

08/09/2026

We are very proud to announce that the Lotus Eco Village has won two Regional ADNZ Awards. Lotus Eco Village has won the Regional Multi-Unit Housing Award and the Resene Kaitiakitanga Award. The Lotus Eco Village was entered into the awards by our architect Ben Gilpin from Gil-plans Architecture.

Click below to see the article about our awards in The Post.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361066795/eight-architecture-projects-recognised-wellington-region-awards

Or click below to see the article in our local KC News.
https://www.kcnews.co.nz/2026/08/23/kapiti-architectural-designs-celebrated-at-adnz-awards/

View below to see our listing on TradeMe!
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/property/residential/sale/wellington/kapiti-coast/paraparaumu/listing/5799598088

Lots of helpful information is available on our website:
https://www.lotusecovillage.nz/

An URBAN Eco Village on the Kapiti Coast, NZ. All 29 homes completed!

08/09/2026

24/08/2026

https://www.kcnews.co.nz/2026/08/23/kapiti-architectural-designs-celebrated-at-adnz-awards/

Kāpiti architect Ben Gilpin featured twice among Eight incredible Wellington architectural designs that were celebrated on Friday night at the regional 2026 ADNZ Resene Architectural [...]

23/08/2026

We are 2026 ADNZ Awards Winners!!!!!!!!!⭐️🏆

Lotus Eco Village, winner of the Regional Multi-Unit Housing Award and a Regional ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award

Press Release ADNZ:
Lotus Eco Village won the Regional Multi-Unit Housing and the Regional ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga awards.

From a sustainable eco village tucked away in native bush to an old bungalow transformed into a modern family home, eight architectural projects across Wellington region have been
recognised as regional ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award winners.

Lotus Eco Village by Ben Gilpin of Gil-Plans Architecture, winner of the Regional Multi-Unit Housing Award and a Regional ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award, is nestled in Kāpiti’s native
bush.

The blend of detached homes and townhouses was recognised for its focus on sustainability and community living.

Judges said the project showed the bravery, breaking of predictable moulds and innovation required for fostering community around multi-unit housing.

Kaitiakitanga is the Māori concept that means guardianship, stewardship and the protection of the environment, people, and culture. It comes from the word Kaitiaki and describes a deep,
responsible relationship where humans care for nature and future generations, rather than trying to rule over it.

Project Highlights:
 Location: tucked away in the native bush at 91 Ruapehu Street, Paraparaumu.
 Layout: a thoughtfully blended mix of 29 detached homes and eco townhouses.
 Sustainable Infrastructure: built with a solar network utilising 109 solar panels and energy efficient building standards.
 Shared Amenities: features a localised Lotus Yoga Centre, communal vegetable gardens, a shared village green, wellness spaces and a shared guest apartment for visitors.

25/07/2026

Lotus Eco Village wishes to acknowledge the passing of the Lotus Yoga Centre's Founder and Spiritual Leader, Eric Doornekamp from this physical realm.

We are holding Cathryn and Ananda close to our hearts.
Arohanui ki a koe me tōu whānau.

Kua hinga te tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne.

11/07/2026

Quick video of our community room just before everyone arrived for our potluck and quiz. Thanks for a really fun evening

17/05/2026

Crunchy fresh goodness!

07/05/2026

Now that is a good looking roof! 109 solar panels on our community building.

05/05/2026

https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/lifestyle/pets/are-you-doing-enough-to-protect-local-wildlife-from-your-cat
This is a tricky topic. How do we balance the joy a pet brings to an individual and the greater good of protecting our native skinks and birds?

At Lotus this is an individual ethical decision. Some choose not to replace a pet once they have passed on. Some have indoor cats. Others wear the scrunchie collars to minimise the bird casualties. Some, who would love to have a pet cat, choose the wildlife over this want.
One thing that we do here that is unique is we can all love the pets that do live here. There are dogs that take many people on walks and a kitten that gets company when the owners need to be away for the day. Getting a cuddle and a play can help soften the 'desire to own'

We’re a nation of cat lovers, with one of the highest rates of cat ownership in the world – and yet we’re also exceptionally proud of our native birds, a contradiction that is becoming harder to ignore.

03/05/2026

We have emptied and scraped out our pond. It holds a million litres of rain water that is linked to all our homes to water our gardens. Some of our village kids got curious about the clay pond surface and the natural spring. Turns out damming a spring = mud slides!