Striking new homes, a “James Bond style” heliport and a sustainable winery are among designs celebrated in the 2010 Architecture Awards for Auckland, Canterbury and Nelson Marlborough.
The programme is organised and run by the New Zealand Institute of Architects and supported by Resene. Winners in each of the eight regions are announced progressively during October and November.
Auckland
The Auckland Heliport in Onehunga, by Maxcey Architects, was a winner in the Commercial Architecture category, with jurors remarking on its lightness and precision.
The Deloitte Centre in Auckland City, by Warren and Mahoney Ltd, and Woods Bagot in association, was also a winner in the category.
Waiheke Island properties dominated the Auckland Residential Architecture – Houses section with four winners.
These included the Local Rock House on Waiheke Island, by Patterson Associates Ltd, hailed by jurors as “theatrical, sensuous and beautifully proportioned.
The house, built from multi-coloured locally-sourced rock, includes rotating fins on the upper level which open the property out to the sea and shore when it is occupied but close “like a rock face” at other times.
The “extreme” Island Retreat, by Fearon Hay Architects was hailed by jury convenor Daniel Marshall as “very new and different”.
Based on themes of a camping compound, the house is made up of separate tent-like boxes, constructed around an outdoor living space and with fabric roofs held down with tension wires.
Canterbury
The Airways Control Tower – Christchurch, by Paris Magdalinos Architects Ltd, was among winners in the Commercial Architecture category.
Jurors agreed that “the tapered form, slotted windows and glazed top level provide a lightness that belies the 13 storeys”.
The Pegasus Golf and Sports Club, by Mason & Wales Architects Ltd, was also a Commercial Architecture winner, described as setting “a benchmark for future development in the newest of Canterbury towns”.
Wilson & Hill Architects Ltd’s sophisticated House – Clifton Hill, which features a dramatic entry bridge, was among Residential Architecture – Houses winners, admired for its “carefully crafted durable exterior details, and well-integrated technological components”.
Nelson Marlborough
The Yealands Estate Winery in the Awatere Valley scooped double honours in the Commercial Architecture and Sustainable Architecture categories.
Jurors said that, “like its founder” Peter Yealands, the winery, by C Nott Architects, was “confident and straightforward”, and the simple arched form was elegant and friendly while maintaining a high level of sustainability.
Three properties by Irving Smith Jack Architects featured among winners in the Residential Architecture – Houses category. Balquidder, a small home overlooking the owner’s private vineyards at Brightwater, captivated jurors with its “effortless fluency”.
As well as visiting all shortlisted properties, the judges met with the architects and clients. The buildings were judged against a series of key criteria, including their contribution to the advancement of architecture as a discipline, and enhancement of the human spirit. The full list of winners in each region can be viewed at www.nzia.co.nz.
