Held annually, the Resene Architectural Designer Awards celebrate the most innovative, creative and aesthetic architectural designs in the country from ADNZ members.

Presented to architects and architectural designers in both residential and commercial sectors, the awards identify stand-out designs categorised as new homes, interiors, alterations and additions and industrial design.

The judging panel for the 2015 ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Awards is composed of Michael Davis, director of Architecture Programmes at the University of Auckland, Dr Duncan Joiner, chief architect at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and award-winning architectural designer and ADNZ Life Member Graham Sawell.

A selection of winners with judges citations below:

AUCKLAND/NORTHLAND REGIONAL AWARD

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

Omaha House by Joseph Long of LTD Architectural

This home combines the elegance and sophistication of contemporary living with the practicality of a beach lifestyle. There is a natural flow internally, with a harmonious balance of entertaining zones and private reflective areas. The home is finished in a simple palette of colours –  black on white, set against the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Judges comments: A strong street presence is established by exploring the problem of a front yard garage for its design potential.

TARANAKI/WHANGANUI/MANAWATU REGIONAL AWARD

Residential Compact New Home – up to 150m² Architectural Design Award sponsored by Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and Resene Colour in Design Award

Orange Flavoured by Maurice Reeger of MnM Design

This compact yet functional holiday home is located at a rear section overlooking Ohakune’s rural carrot fields. The house was designed to make the most of the sun from the north-west and provide shelter from the chilly south-east winds. Entry and a carport shelter the house from the street and neighbouring houses. The wall opening gives a perfect see through over the driveway so occupants are not completely isolated from their environment. The building opens up to the north and west sides, for sun and views.

Judges comments: A celebration in total simplicity.  A really dynamic composition within an economy of means through very simple formal pushes and pulls of a plan that is otherwise irreducible.

HAWKES BAY AND POVERTY BAY REGIONAL AWARD

Residential New Home over 300m² Architectural Design Award and Resene Colour in Design Award

Karl Residence by Brendon Gordon of Brendon Gordon Architecture

The repetition of the grape vines in the surrounding landscape are echoed in the repetition of the expressed laminated timber post and beam structure. A nod to Richard Neutra. The strict grid design rational is referenced in the plan (and in section) in the column and window and door aperture articulation. This is also a deliberately predominantly timber structure.

Judges comments: This bold formal response standing on high ground is well enclosed and sheltered.  The plinth element successfully unites interior and exterior spaces.

WELLINGTON REGIONAL AWARD

Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling Architectural Design Award

Aurora Apartments by Graeme Boucher of Coast Edge

The client owned the corner building and bought next door. This subtle building comprises six apartments over the ground floor retail spaces which serve to merge the gaps in both streets elevations. The modern glazed façade features decks with panoramic views.

Judges comments: A good model of medium to high density mixed use in a commercial area. There is delight in the formal elements and a good articulation through colour and materials.

NELSON/MARLBOROUGH REGIONAL AWARD

Joint winner of Residential New Home between 150m² and 300m² Architectural Design Award

Hilgeholt House by George Hilgeholt of AWE2010

The brief was for a modern retirement home, future proofed for accessibility. It is a low maintenance solution with Passive House principles applied and a good use of recycled and/or recyclable materials for a small carbon footprint.

Judges comments: Simple forms are brought together in complex relationships to set up an investigation of interstitial space. A brave proposition.

CANTERBURY/WESTLAND REGIONAL AWARD

Joint winner of Residential New Home over 300m² Architectural Design Award

Rockhill Residence by Robert Weir of Weirwalker Architecture

The design brief for Rockhill was to create a bold and striking contemporary home that took full advantage of the stunning northerly views from the lower slopes of Kennedys Bush. The material pallet has been kept simple, with textured precast concrete façade panels providing a raw, strong and primal base element for the home.

Judges comments: The building and the landscape seem to grow together to complement one another. A well resolved plan utilising simple, robust forms yields high quality spaces inside and out.

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND REGIONAL AWARD

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

The Smithy by Reece Warnock of Warnock Architecture

This site was the home of a historic blacksmith built in the late 1800s in the town of Outram and was an important component of European colonisation during the gold rush at nearby Gabriel’s gully. The biggest challenge was to ensure the new residence didn’t dominate over the smithy but rather complimented the design. A pavilion style with flat butynol roofs to link between the old and new ensures the smithy maintains its own identity. Dark cedar and black tray roofing complements the existing aged weatherboard whilst still giving the new build a contemporary feel.

Judges comments: The designer has risen to a difficult challenge. The new house embraces the old smithy and uses the spaces around it effectively.

The winners of the regional awards, which were handed out between June and July in each region across New Zealand, are now eligible for national titles including the Supreme Architectural Design Award.

The national awards will be announced on 30 October 2015.

For a full list of winners see here.