Jury Commentary

Named Award citation:

“Te Aratai College, a transformative rebuild of the former Linwood College in East Christchurch, is a beacon of community engagement and educational innovation. It answers the needs of a diverse community with a layout that seamlessly links individual learning paths and community spaces. Its layout features two distinct courtyard spaces (each with its own identity), linked by an ‘avenue of learning’, and it caters to students’ individual needs while promoting a sense of belonging. Sustainability is woven into the fabric of the design, featuring energy-efficient systems and thoughtful material selection suited to the local environmental conditions. Carefully planned through deep community consultation and with an emphasis on cultural significance, this exceptional project stands as a testimony to overcoming adversity and empowering future generations.”

Education Award citation:

“Located in east Christchurch, Te ArataibCollege is a rebuild of the former Linwood College. It succeeds through its design emphasis on student success and broad community engagement. The campus layout is characterised by clear spatial planning that includes a civic space, dual courtyards and an ‘avenue of learning’. The design, which acknowledges the multicultural make-up of the school, successfully fosters a sense of community by offering a well-considered balance of privacy and openness and by injecting sunlight through strategically placed windows. Durable, low-maintenance materials were selected: a nod to the site’s challenging ground conditions”

Project team:

Carsten Auer, Patrick Clifford, Catarina Anastacio, Kelly Clark, James Durcan, Charlotte Hoare, Mathew Holloway, Rebecca Higgs, Monique Mackenzie, Sarah Mckenzie, Scott McKerrow, Jane Rooney, Sasha Samardziska, Kirsty Sweetman, Daniela Vaníčková, Aimee Wright.

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The New Zealand Architecture Awards receive generous support from Resene, a steadfast sponsor of the program since 1991, and APL, which commenced its sponsorship of the awards in 2021.