Thirty-one projects and three Emerging Design Professionals have been selected as finalists across 11 categories in this year’s Interior Awards.

Amongst them an animated, unconventional workplace that radiates personality and creativity, a striking elemental house which juxtaposes enclosure with exposure, a wine room turning the traditional retail model on its head, and a wellness sanctuary blending soft, organic forms with functional, therapeutic experiences.

The focus in many of these exceptional interiors is around authenticity and local identity, with a strong sense of place evident throughout, while materials and colour palettes cover the full gamut, from natural and harmonious to bright and bold.

Interior editor of Architecture NZ and jury convenor, Amanda Harkness, said the jury was impressed by the calibre of entries this year. “There was some outstanding work submitted across a number of categories and, as is often the way, the residential category proved particularly competitive.”

“Having completed the difficult task of shortlisting, the jury is now looking forward to finding out so much more about these projects and the people behind them,” says Harkness. “From an intimate cocktail oasis in downtown Auckland, to a collaborative learning hub and venue for hui, to a sustainable architectural studio taking up residence in an old engineering building, we’ll enjoy hearing some of Aotearoa’s most talented creatives share the journeys behind these inspiring projects.”

Congratulations to this year’s finalists:

Workplace up to 1000m²

Motion Sickness Studio by Wonder
PH Digital Head Office by Studio 11:11 
RTA Studio by RTA Studio 
Buddle Findlay by Jasmax 

Workplace over 1000m²

Russell McVeagh, Wellington by Unispace in association with Emma Hofmann
Meridian Energy, Wellington by Unispace 
UDC by STACK Interiors 

Residential

Sandtrap by Lloyd Hartley Architects 
S.K.I House by Roberts Gray Architects 
Palimpsest House by Monk Mackenzie 
Matuku Moana by Studio Brick Architects

Residential Kitchen

The High Life by Rogan Nash 
Cornwallis Kitchen by Atelier Jones Design 
Palimpsest House by Monk Mackenzie 

Retail

The Wine Room by Space Studio and Three Sixty Architecture
VidaSpace Christchurch Showroom by VidaSpace in association with Warren and Mahoney
BNZ by Warren and Mahoney
Muse Arrowtown by Nikki Wilson Studio 

Hospitality

Quinn Bar by Izzard Design
The Bakehouse by SA Studio and Alexander & Co. 
InterContinental by Warren and Mahoney 

Healthcare and Wellness

Hana Parnell by Pennant & Triumph
80 Queen Street End of Trip Facilities by Peddlethorp  
MacMurray Medical Centre by Wingates

Education

Te Ao Marama Whare by Stufkens+Chambers Architects 
Te Ao Mārama Campus, Porirua by APG Architects 
AUT Tukutuku by Jasmax 

Civic

Punangairi Visitor Centre by Sheppard & Rout Architects 
Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery by Warren and Mahoney 

Community Impact

Callaghan Ward, Mercy Hospital, Dunedin by McCoy + Wixon Architects
Harbour Hospice North Shore by Klein Architects 

Emerging Design Professional

Karla Devine of House Party Interiors
Matt Reid of Warren and Mahoney
Michelle Lamb of Michelle Lamb Limited 

Finalists will present live to the judging panel on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 May at Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects HQ in Ponsonby, Auckland and these presentations will be live-streamed and available to watch on ArchitectureNow.

Winners will be announced at the Interior Awards evening on Thursday 26 June at St Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland.