Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) and Resene presented their annual Architectural Design Awards on 18 October 2019, part of their national conference. The Awards celebrate architectural designs across the country, and this year a small, 140m² home in Gisborne took home the Supreme Award for its careful planning and nod to Japanese architecture.

This year’s judging panel included Mitchell Coll of Coll Architecture, Dr Jessica Halliday of Te Pūtahi – Christchurch centre for architecture and city-making, Dr Carl Douglas of the Spatial Design programme at AUT University and Dr Andrew Barrie of the University of Auckland School of Architecture and Planning. 

See a full list of winners and jury comments below:

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

Huru House by Andrew Simpson of Wiredog Architecture

“This incredible design finds inspiration from Japan and historical practices from New Zealand’s own architectural past. Pacific and Japanese timber traditions have been utilised, with weathered, softened, sanded timber minimally finished. The window mullions also reference the Japanese design practices, as does certain interior elements, like the traditional Japanese bath.

“A two-bedroom house with a footprint of 140m², the designer has successfully taken a small house and made it large. Special attention has been given to detail and materials in this exceptional home. From the exposed rafters, to the exposed beam ends, this level of refined detailing is not easy to achieve. The design is a stepped plan that modulates spatial depth and creates pockets of outdoor space. There is a real individuality to the way the living spaces are arranged. Everything is brought together under the beautiful roof. Built on an impressive site that exudes calm, the home would be a special place to live. An outstanding project.”

Residential New Home over 300m² Architectural Design Award and Residential Interiors Architectural Design Award 

Shibui House by Tane Cox of Red Architecture

“This is a beautiful pared back design that “pops” with outstanding precision and care. The house is reminiscent of a stage set for a lifestyle. It is an exceptionally beautiful sculptured building. It celebrates the inconsistency of the use of different timbers. This is an aspirational design that responds well to the client brief. It leans hard into what it needs to do and jumps distance with the technique demonstrated. A rich design with a subtle use of colour to enhance the use of timber.”

Residential New Home over 300m² Architectural Design Award 

Gable Silhouette by Greg Young of Young Architects 

“On a narrow long site, the designer has done an excellent job of successfully placing a large executive home, while maintaining a single gable. The use of braces and straps on trusses introduces a strong graphic element and the roof line adds a shadowing element to the look and feel. The white of the interior makes the cedar trusses and dark ceilings pop. A very strong interior. The graphic elements work really well, with the dark ceiling tying it all together. The dark ceiling gives the home a strong sense of volume and depth.”

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

Red Rock Lane by Nic Curragh of Objects Ltd

“This home has precise, careful, clean frames. It handles the underside of its floating volume well. The courtyard tucked back against the hillside is a great addition.”

Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling Architectural Design Award

Hereford Apartments by Greg Young of Young Architects 

“The designer has successfully created four tiny single-bedroom units of rare spatial quality. Spatial interest and outdoor entertaining spaces have been cleverly packed into compact plans under a memorable triple-gable roof.”

Residential Alterations and Additions Architectural Design Award

Esplanade Alterations by Ben Brady of Linetype Architectural

“A grand old house has been given a new lease on life by an alteration that brings out its best. Restrained interior choices give it lightness and foreground the original features of the house. The entrance deftly makes a sculptural statement out of an inconveniently located tree. The house unfolds on arrival. A new spiral stair in black steel at the rear of the house juxtaposes sympathetically with the white timber walls and leads to a detached studio.”

Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award 

Crowne Plaza by Robert Weir of Weir Architecture

“A varied set of interiors bring richness to the generic floorplates of this former office building. The design makes deft use of the angled circulation core and brings life to the street.”

Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award

Campus Wonderful Dairy & Fluid Café by Gary Todd of Gary Todd Architecture Ltd

“A rigorous steel grid frames a lively mix of uses on a Dunedin street corner. Elevates daily living and exemplifies a much-needed urban typology. The designer has done a superb job and taken their client on a journey that exceeds standards. This design achieves urban context. It demonstrates sustainability and living sustainably in an urban environment including family living on the top floors.”

Commercial Interior Architecture Design Award

Blackwell and Sons by James Mackie of Mackit Architecture 

“A coherent and sensitive scheme that integrates the heritage of the building with the pedigree of the bikes.”

Resene Colour in Design

Coffee Culture The Crossing by Chris Wheeler of Hierarchy Architecture

“This stunning, neutral palette evokes style, warmth and grace. Texture and sheen have been used to build up personality and charm alongside the gentle, pops of colour. This palette is pure sophistication.”