Richard Sellars of Nelson-based Continuum Architecture emerged as the winner of Southern Response’s architectural design competition for The Cantabrian home, organised in conjunction with the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

Forty-seven entries were received from architects from all over New Zealand. The brief was to design the next generation of housing in Canterbury, with particular regard to the challenges of TC3 land zones and future performance in earthquakes. The competition brief was based on Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (formerly Department of Building and Housing) TC3 guidelines on shape, lighter construction materials and sustainability.

Richard Sellars, the winning architect, said: “I was inspired to enter the competition because I believe that every house, no matter how small the budget or footprint, should be well-designed and placed carefully on the land. This competition provided me with the opportunity to design a warm, comfortable, light-filled home for the people of my home town. We have a wonderful chance to ensure the same amount of careful thought and cooperative planning goes into the design of our neighbourhoods as goes into our important civic spaces.”

The winning design will be taken from concept stage through to detailed design by Richard Sellars before being built on a site in Cranford Street as part of a joint project involving Southern Response and Housing New Zealand. When complete, this house will open as a Southern Response TC3 show home.

Full list of winners:

First place: Richard Sellars, Registered Architect, Continuum Architecture (Nelson)

Second Place: Simon Blencowe, Registered Architect, Pynenburg & Collins Architects (Christchurch)

Third Place: Eugene O’Callaghan, Architectural Graduate; Karen Manson, Christchurch Manager; and Stephen Voyle, Director, Context Architects (Auckland and Christchurch)

Judges included Peter Sparrow - Manager, Building and Housing Group, MBIE; Ric Stevens - Deputy Editor, The Press; Stewart Ross - Director, Fulton Ross Team Architects Ltd; and Bruce Partridge - Management Consultant, Southern Response.

All competition entries will be on display in the first floor foyer of the Christchurch City Council building in Hereford Street until Friday 30 August 2013 from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday - Friday.

More information at www.cantabrianhome.co.nz