On Friday 26 October, the Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) presented the winners of their national awards. Nine projects from around the country were commended for their creative designs. The Family Bach by Cymon Allfrey Architects in Canterbury took home the Supreme Award, adding to it’s already impressive list of accolades this year.

Three other projects from the Canterbury region won category awards including a Christchurch home also by Cymon Allfrey Architects and the Redcliffs Village Library by Young Architects. Alongside them are winners from Tauranga, Waikato, and Auckland.

See a full list of winners with jury comments below.

2018 Supreme ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Award and Residential Compact New Home up to 150m² Architectural Design Award

The Family Bach by Cymon Allfrey Architects – Hamner Springs, Canterbury

The jury noted, “This playful collection of three hovering buildings pays careful attention to the surrounding landscape. It is drawn together around a recessed patio and timber decks to establish a familiar sense of a ‘campsite’, perhaps even ‘glampsite’.” The judges commended the designers for capturing views across the Hamner plains, all-day sun and wind protection. ”The project challenges local planning guidelines with a smile and a wink, a sense of fun that carries through into yellow highlights in the form of the tent pole, perforated metal screens, and the stairs.”

Residential New Home between 150m² and 300m² Architectural Design Award

Chain Mail by Adam Taylor Architecture – Mt Maunganui

The judges said, “Recessed decks, cantilevering roofs and projected floor levels make this house a strong spatial composition. Set on a small site, the plan is simple and efficient, yet flexible. Some cladding of the house is brick which provides a soft finish in contrast to the dark painted fibre cement panels elsewhere.”

Residential New Home over 300m² Architectural Design Award

Glandovey Home by Cymon Allfrey Architects – Strowan, Christchurch

Judges noted, “This building, although an individualist, sits well within the context of its surroundings. Its approach from the street is both sympathetic and private, while still providing a grand and alluring entry. Simple forms come together in a considered way, so the pitched roof feels as though it is lightly floating on the darker cedar box of the building. This soaring pitched roof is elegantly detailed to flow through the length of the house providing striking interior and exterior volumes and gently enclosing the spaces below.”

Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling Architectural Design Award

Latimer by Krush Architecture – Christchurch Central

The jury commented, “Durable materials are assembled in a manner that will ensure these buildings will sit well in this central Christchurch context for years to come. The scale of the tenancies and the spaces within are generous, while the height of the building demonstrates consideration for neighbouring buildings in that it allows those located behind, visual access to the park beyond. Robust site planning, that includes raising the living spaces above street level, supports a sense of privacy in this busy urban setting.”

Residential Alterations and Additions Architectural Design Award

Kotahi Avenue by LAD Architecture – Beerescourt, Hamilton

The jury loved this renovation to an existing Californian bungalow. They said of the addition, “Not only has it been carried out in sympathy for the original style of the building, it has also added further to the overall aesthetic. Careful site and floor planning have produced thoroughly usable areas in what have typically been difficult buildings to address. Exposed interior trusses, traditional wall panelling throughout and kitchen detailing consistent with the style have all been expertly included to give a very successful outcome for the clients.”

Residential Interiors Architectural Design Award

Wooden Origami House by Will Tatton Architecture – Tauranga

“This a successful adaption of a standard 1960’s prefabricated house plan, the living areas and bathrooms have been linked with oiled cedar ply to provide a rich, timber interior,” the judges commented. “Windows have been enlarged and trimmed in macrocarpa with new joinery. Books on the walls have been integrated into black painted shelving to inject an invigorating contrast to the natural timber. Doors are also painted dark, along with the kitchen journey.”

Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award

Redcliffs Village Library by Young Architects – Redcliffs, Christchurch

“A modest gabled building stands at a pedestrian crossing. It is raised on a plinth and lights the forecourt by the light cast from inside. It is a wharenui, a barn, and a library that belongs to this place, time and community. It is unusual for a public building to incorporate translucent polycarbonate into its face. However, the addition gives the structure prominence and a free, uncomplicated feel,” the jury said.

Commercial Interior Architectural Design Award

Nixon Studio by Creative Arch – Grey Lynn, Auckland

The jury appreciated the “generous and yet efficient” paving and garden that draw the exterior of this building into the lobby. They added, “Black lines of structure and services are drawn forward from muted walls, floors and ceilings to modulate the office. Relationships of void to social to service to meeting to desk space, allow for an effective combination of natural light and supplementary lighting to play out into the depths of the space. This would be a great place to work.”

Resene Colour in Design Award

A Cabin & Trees by Red Architecture – Tamahere, Waikato

“The brief here has clearly been met with an effective use of materials, textures and colours. The exterior stain effortlessly blends into the tree filled site and will continue to do so as the seasons change. Paint colours have been used successfully to reference the soft, warm Siberian larch. Natural and artificial light has been carefully considered to maximise warmth and enhance the natural tones,” the judges said.