Thirty-one architectural projects across the Canterbury region received a Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Local Award at an event at Christchurch Town Hall on 14 May.

In the Small Project Architecture category, the Wainui Church Conversion by Warren and Mahoney and Objects in association won an award for an adaptive reuse project that showed the potential of a former house of worship in rural Banks Peninsula by employing rich material choices and clever details across a compact floorplan.

Meanwhile Te Whare Whakatere – Ashburton Library and Civic Centre by Athfield Architects won a Public Architecture Award for including a state-of-the-art library, Council offices, Emergency Operations Centre, public event spaces, and integrated amenities in a single building. The facility uses artesian heating and energy strategies to support its long-term resilience and create a building that judges found “unified meaning, purpose and place.”

“In judging projects this year, we observed a recurring pattern of strong collaboration between architects and clients, leading to exceptional projects that skilfully addressed challenges like topography, budget, and timeline,” says jury convenor and architect Jorgen Andersen from Arthouse Architects. “Thoughtfully crafted, innovative, and refined solutions across all scales demonstrated the essential role architects play in successful projects.”

At the largest end of the scale and over 11,000m², the Christchurch Fresh Distribution Centre by JWA Architects won a Commercial Architecture Award, which the judges cited for answering the clients’ requirements for a large, extremely efficient distribution centre servicing the entire South Island with a number of thoughtful architectural interventions at a human scale.

Further afield at Lake Pearson, Sugarloaf at Flockhill by Hierarchy Group won two awards in the Hospitality and Interior Architecture categories for seamlessly blending design with the majestic landscapes of the Southern Alps to create an interior that judges found “evokes a sense of elegance while honouring the essence of farming heritage” in a hospitality venue that also reflects a commitment to guest experience and sustainability.

Craig House (1998) by Thom Craig and Tabak House (1984) by Sheppard & Rout Architects received Enduring Architecture Awards this year.

Red pine villa by Fabric, Heathcote Valley House by Pac Studio, and 36 OGB by AW Architects also won Resene Colour Awards.

Andersen was joined on the jury by Ben Lloyd of Lloyd Hartley, Jessica Glen of Jessica Glen Architects, Nic Owen of Nic Owen Architects, and lay juror Sarah Rowlands.

The winning projects are:

Housing

Clements House by Athfield Architects
Clements House by Athfield Architects is the culmination of a decades-long client-architect relationship and was one of Sir Ian Athfield’s final sketches. The design employs a minimal and refined material palette of rendered wall, galvanised steel, and kahikatea.

These materials are confidently utilised from the large scale through to the detailing, with every element of the house carefully considered. The planning allows the couple to live within a main living and bedroom wing, and to expand the house for extended family into a guest wing accessed via a bridge. The house is playful, featuring kinetic sculptures and garden follies with elements like double-storey sash windows and a fireman’s pole. The landscaping offers generous outdoor living spaces that connect the building’s wings in the picturesque landscape.

Red pine villa by Fabric
Red pine villa by Fabric is striking on its leafy, suburban street, yet the low picket fence, narrow front yard and hipped roof sit appropriately in the context. This cleverly planned project allows future development to the rear of the large section and also allows the house to potentially be moved on its PLT flooring. Despite budget constraints, the detailing, influenced by Japanese design, is clever and thoughtful. Ochre, red sliding screens provide privacy to outdoor living space, there is an absence of gutters, polycarbonate panelling and Shou Sugi Ban timber are used as cladding, and the structural framing is celebrated. The house is beautifully composed and a delight from all angles. Red Pine Villa is exemplar of how quality design can manage suburban densification while preserving the character of the street.

Resene Colour Award Citation:
Colour is used minimally and effectively to create an easily read tectonic form. The black Shou Sugi Ban cladding and galvanised steel roof is paired against the structural elements picked out in a deep scoria red. Interior colour is used sparingly but effectively, with a yolk-yellow living room nook against rimu cladding, and deep green bathroom against polycarbonate screens.

Builders Blocks by Johnstone Callaghan Architects
A distinctive, bold and thought-provoking design eschewing the typical inner-city development within a very traditional Christchurch suburb.

Working in close collaboration with the builder-client, this home actively engages with the street and neighbouring church site with varying heights, volumes and materials providing dynamic elevations from all angles.

Articulated by a number of distinct horizontal datums in a striking red brick, the refined detailing and builders’ craftsmanship is on full display.

Clever planning around a series of internal courtyards creates a number of intimate material-rich spaces on the ground floor. With guest bedrooms above, the building is then crowned by a delightful gin bar allowing views over the neighbourhood and perfectly positioned for that sunset drink.

Low Slung by Johnstone Callaghan Architects
The brief was to rebuild an earthquake-damaged house into a sustainable, high-quality home with mid-century influences. On a long, narrow site, low-slung gable forms stretch down the section, maximising sunlight, side yards, and garden spaces.

Landscaping is integral, with curated plantings offering green views from all rooms and connecting indoors with outdoors. Durable, low-maintenance materials like brick and wide tray metal roofing feature in a neutral, elevated palette. Though modest from the street, the purposeful entry leads to a spacious, finely detailed interior. Interior spaces play on mid-century aesthetics with architectural timber trims and details adding warmth and tactility. These honest materials reflect the client’s love of the Christchurch style, combined in a modern home for today.

Lighthouse by Johnstone Callaghan Architects
In a captivating response to both site and client needs, this new bach elegantly embraces its steep Akaroa location while echoing the essence of Californian modernism. The design thoughtfully separates living and sleeping spaces with a breezeway, allowing for adaptability and enhanced connection to nature, soaking in northern light and southern views. The strategically selected materials, prioritising low maintenance, harmonise with the coastal climate while creating an inviting aesthetic. This project transcends its initial brief, evolving into a primary residence that supports the clients’ evolving lifestyle and artistic pursuits, all while addressing significant geotechnical challenges.

Bühler Residence by Makers of Architecture
This home is clearly a result of a long-term, trusting relationship between architect and client.

Designed to a limited budget on a challenging section, the architecture works deftly with the contours of the site, providing a gentle, considered path of circulation to and through the house and generous pockets of living space throughout.

The spectacular views from the main living and bedroom areas are counterposed with intimate courtyards which have been carefully designed to shelter from the prevailing weather conditions on the site.

A clever design that provides a sustainable, cost effective and flexible home for a young family.

Redcliffs House, Te Rae Kura by MAP
This thoughtfully composed home is anchored to its site through the use of excavated volcanic rock. The restrained material palette and purposeful planning result in a sequence of connected, elegant spaces. Upon arrival, the view is intentionally concealed, then revealed through a central stair that separates living, sleeping, and service areas. A series of fixed and sliding screens manage light, privacy, and solar gain with finesse. Outdoor terraces and courtyards extend the interior into the landscape, creating a seamless dialogue between inside and out, and a living experience shaped by material integrity and spatial clarity.

Kapua Farm House by MAP
A modern home for a young farming family on a budget, Kapua Farm House was created though a collaborative effort of family and friends.

Embracing passive design principles, the design is anchored by a recycled brick bedroom wing at the rear of the site. A curved brick entry opens up to a warm, birch ply kitchen and living area projecting out to views of the landscape under a low-slung zinc roof. Interiors are whimsical and personal.

Local macrocarpa decking wraps the home, offering multiple outdoor zones that respond to the conditions.

This home speaks clearly to its natural environment in the North Canterbury landscape.

Heathcote Valley House by Pac Studio
Fun, colourful and richly textured.

Designed in collaboration with a young family as their first home, this house is playful, not too precious and undeniably homely.

Carefully positioned on the site, engaging both the immediate landscape and greater context, the house actively embraces changes in its surrounding environment providing a building that is both pavilion and refuge.

The interiors have been thoughtfully crafted, incorporating the client’s profession as a florist through dedicated ledges, shelves and surfaces and layering appropriate materials and colours throughout, including some delectable elements of whimsy.

A delightful, discreet little home that sits perfectly in its environment.

Resene Colour Award Citation:
From the pastel green cladding and vivid yellow canopies reflecting the landscape, to the playful use of colour throughout its interior, this is a delightfully cheerful little home.

Curvature by Stufkens + Chambers Architects
This innovative family home masterfully integrates with its rural-urban fringe context, honouring both the landscape and the owners’ lifestyle. Inspired by a majestic golden elm tree, the design features curved timber slats and perforated metal screens that ensure privacy while enhancing aesthetic and climatic control. With an open-plan heart, strategic voids, and intimate nooks, the home fosters a strong connection to nature and encourages family engagement, including interaction with unique beloved pets. Constructed using a rich yet resilient palette of materials, this residence exemplifies thoughtful planning and design, balancing contemporary living with natural harmony.

RHR House by Three Sixty Architecture
Nestled within Christchurch’s rugged Southshore spit, the RHR House is an experimental family home that redefines architectural principles, prioritising people, place, and emotion. Thoughtfully designed to mitigate the risks of natural hazards, the house’s stacked floor plates and minimal, dematerialised aesthetic create a calm, retreat-like atmosphere, while its material palette of concrete, steel, and timber evokes the surrounding coastal environment. The arrival sequence, with its timber boardwalk and floating stair form, leads to a kitchen-centric plan that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living spaces, showcasing how ‘form follows function’ in a resilient and emotionally evocative design.

Merino Jacket by Three Sixty Architecture
A beautifully simple and refined home thoughtfully crafted within a tight budget.

Clearly articulated spaces have been designed around a young family and showcase the stunning views while still providing small intimate areas for gathering, including a delightful outdoor courtyard incorporating an existing Japanese maple tree.

This home does all the big moves well, cleverly utilises standard construction elements and allows for future adaptability without compromising on the wellbeing of its inhabitants in the short term.

This home is a true exemplar of quality design on a limited budget.

Housing – Alterations & Additions

Garage & Guest Suite by Peter Kent Architect
This finely resolved project on Hackthorne Road is the result of a longstanding client-architect relationship. Designed by Peter Kent, the freestanding structure provides garaging, art storage, garden sheds, and beautifully crafted guest accommodation. A restrained palette of timber, Oamaru stone, and galvanised steel references the existing house while establishing its own identity. Detailing is elegant and refined with its minimalism belying some complex details. The planning and landscaping are well considered, providing a private space with views of the city.

Interior Architecture

36 OGB by AW Architects
A bold, yet sympathetic refurbishment within this glorious old building.

The careful reinstatement of heritage detailing is bravely complemented with a daring colour palette and subtle textures that result in a playful and unique inner-city apartment.

Working in collaboration with the apartment owners, the architect has deftly incorporated their aesthetic style and artwork into a series of unique and often whimsical spaces constantly playing on one’s sense of depth and perspective while still providing all the necessary amenity for contemporary living.

This design packs a lot into 75m².

Resene Colour Award Citation:
A deep and moody colour palette with subtle textures, detailing and lighting is boldly offset with bursts of highlighter pink and metallic surfaces. This is a brave and ambitious design with colour at the forefront.

Sugarloaf at Flockhill by Hierarchy Group
Located within the historic Craigieburn Valley, Sugarloaf exemplifies harmonious design, seamlessly blending with the majestic landscapes of the Southern Alps. This remarkable interior evokes a sense of elegance while honouring the essence of farming heritage.

Emphasising natural materials such as ebony-stained cedar and raw stone, Sugarloaf skilfully frames breathtaking vistas. The thoughtful arrangement of spaces fosters intimacy within the expansive interiors, enhanced by exquisite details such as the suspended fireplace and oversized doors.

Sugarloaf stands as a remarkable reflection of architectural excellence, offering guests a memorable dining experience in a stunning high-country retreat.

Anthem Partners by TSArchitects
Not your typical accountant’s office.

Moving from a shiny office tower to a nondescript warehouse, the transformation of this building was an opportunity for the architecture to reflect and enhance the company’s brand and identity.

A simple, pared-back terracotta entrance provides a small glimpse to the street of the space within which is full of richly textured materials, deep tones and refined detailing.

A full internal refurbishment, weaving together sophisticated furnishing with finely finished industrial materials provides a unique and enchanting office space for both employees and clients.

Public Architecture

Te Whare Whakatere – Ashburton Library and Civic Centre by Athfield Architects
A benchmark for contemporary civic architecture in Aotearoa, Te Whare Whakatere unites cultural expression, functional excellence, and sustainability in a single cohesive form. Designed to serve Ashburton’s growing needs, the building includes a state-of-the-art library, Council offices, Emergency Operations Centre, public event spaces, and integrated amenities. It welcomes and reflects its community through collaboration with mana whenua. Material references to the region’s farming identity — mass timber, pivot-inspired trusses, and silo-like mesh—anchor it firmly in place. Historic Pioneer Hall is thoughtfully restored within the children’s library, while artesian heating and energy strategies support long-term resilience. A civic building of meaning, purpose and place.

Hillmorton Hospital Specialist Mental Health Services by Klein
Te Huarahi Hou, meaning ‘a new journey’, centralises mental health care at Hillmorton Hospital, with two new buildings for youth, maternal, eating disorder, and high-needs services. The design prioritises wellbeing, with light-filled interiors, outdoor courtyards and therapeutic, homely spaces inspired by Te Ao Māori.

Consultation with users help shape environments that balance dignity, autonomy, and clinical care. Durable materials like concrete, plywood, and timber create a domestic, safe atmosphere while meeting strict clinical standards. Offset mono-pitched roofs reference Christchurch’s residential history and soften institutional character.

The project achieved New Zealand’s first five-star Green Star Building rating for healthcare and sets a new standard for sustainable, inclusive mental health design. It is an exemplar for future developments across New Zealand.

Small Project Architecture

Glandovey Studio by PRau
This second stage of work to RC Ballantyne House introduces a refined standalone structure encompassing an artist’s studio, office, garaging, and storage. Sited on newly acquired land linking the property to Waimairi Stream, the design echoes the original house while forging strong visual and physical ties to the landscape. Drawing inspiration from the Christchurch School, the building’s articulated concrete block walls and folded roof create a dynamic interplay of structure, light, and shadow. Carefully framed river views, seamless indoor-outdoor connections, and sculpted thresholds enrich this expressive, functionally diverse addition with sculptural clarity and contextual sensitivity.

Wainui Church Conversion by Warren and Mahoney Architects and Objects in association
Wainui Church is an exemplary adaptive reuse project, blending preservation with clearly articulated contemporary interventions. The detailing is clever, with fine angles bordering the existing windows to abut the new cladding, and the new roof insulation pulled back off the façade to maintain the fineness of the fascia. A new west-facing opening with a sliding screen is the only suggestion of what is inside. Here, a steel mezzanine hovers off the existing structure, with a sculptural spiral stair to the primary bedroom. The footprint is compact but includes a kitchen, television room, with the children’s room, and bathroom tucked in the vestry. Rich and colourful material choices are used throughout. The project is a testament to the potential of adaptive reuse and extends the life of a special building.

Enduring Architecture

Craig House (1998) by Thom Craig
Thom Craig House stands as a bold and enduring contribution to New Zealand’s architectural landscape. Over two decades since its construction, the house continues to resonate with its radical reinterpretation of the suburban home. Eschewing traditional spatial hierarchies, it offers adaptable zones defined by movement, light, and perception. The striking black exterior, concealed structural elements, and nuanced detailing speak to a timeless minimalism grounded in place. Its design skilfully addresses flexibility, reduced material expression, and the integration of art and architecture. Thom Craig House remains a rare and influential example of enduring residential architecture that continues to inspire architects, provoke dialogue, and offer a relevant model of how homes can be reimagined for contemporary life.

Tabak House (1984) by Sheppard & Rout
Overlooking Governors Bay with views to Quail Island, this thoughtfully composed 1984 home successfully retains its relevance as a striking piece of architecture. Though understated from the road, the modest entry connects strongly defined circulation paths with living spaces both inside and out. Dynamic exposed structure is thoughtfully integrated allowing considered and playful apertures, while the balance of white walls and natural timber exude a sense of tranquil harmony. The delineation of the primary form into four steeply gabled modules reduces the scale and helps this home remain settled into its surroundings.

Commercial Architecture

Sumner Post Office by AW Architects
This seaside heritage building has been thoughtfully transformed into a vibrant hospitality venue, preserving its architectural integrity while introducing new life and community purpose. A contemporary red brick extension complements the original structure, offering social spaces at ground level and new tenancies above. A recessed negative detail separates yet unites old and new. Durable materials—including exposed precast concrete and a lightweight steel frame—ensure low maintenance, seismic resilience, and structural efficiency. Sustainable choices reduce waste and environmental impact. An adjacent courtyard has been reactivated for public use. The project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can honour heritage while enriching community life.

Christchurch Fresh Distribution Centre by JWA Architects
At a scale that is difficult to comprehend, let alone document, this development is an inspiring response to an otherwise prosaic architectural brief.

Built over 11,000m², the project has managed to deliver a series of buildings that answer the clients’ requirements for a large, extremely efficient distribution centre servicing the entire South Island and a number of thoughtful architectural interventions at a human scale.

The coordination of many specialised consultants and stakeholders into a project that has been so clearly articulated and able to contain a number of moments of real architectural refinement is truly admirable.

Lexus of Christchurch by Warren and Mahoney Architects
The Lexus of Christchurch showroom exemplifies innovative urban design within the South Frame precinct, addressing both city planning challenges and brand aspirations.

The development integrates a refined client lounge, expansive vehicle displays, and functional commercial workspace, all while embracing the Japanese ethos of ‘Omotenashi.’ The striking façade, inspired by Japanese craftsmanship, creates visual interest and enhances public connectivity through the Te Ara Pū Hā laneway. Prioritising sustainability, the project incorporates energy-efficient technologies and flexible design for future adaptability, setting a new standard for inner-city automotive retail while enriching Christchurch’s urban fabric.

Education

Upper West Sports Centre by Architectus
Located within an iconic architectural campus, this building shows an appropriate level of respect to the existing built context without being overly deferential.

A striking eastern façade with its concrete ribs paying homage to the main campus buildings sits above a base of red brick, in turn reflecting the walled enclosure of the sports field.

Behind this elevation, the sports centre contains an impressive collection of facilities highlighted by a stunningly spacious, light-filled gymnasium.

While splendid in scale and amenity, it is the obvious care that has been put into the finer architectural details that sets this building apart as an exemplar of its type.

Penny Lane by South by Southeast
Born from the tragedy of a Christmas Eve fire, Penny Lane Early Childhood Centre was reimagined and rebuilt in just 10 months. South by Southeast have delivered a calm, light-filled environment with spaces thoughtfully scaled for children, from a cosy infant room to a generous, light-filled area for older tamariki. A well-considered landscape features productive gardens, established trees, and a large, screened, all-weather outdoor play space. It is a testament to the architects and client how fast this project was turned around to minimise the disruption of the families at Penny Lane, despite the complexities of smoke and water damage to the existing structure. This project shows how quality design can greatly improve environments for learning and turn a tragedy into an opportunity.

Heritage

OMC Building – Old Municipal Chambers by Three Sixty Architecture
The restoration of Christchurch’s Old Municipal Chambers, a Category 1 heritage building, exemplifies exceptional conservation practice and engineering innovation. This ambitious project has revitalized Samuel Hurst Seager’s 1887 Queen Anne Revival masterpiece, strengthening it to 67% of the New Building Standard while meticulously preserving its historical integrity. The team’s careful approach balanced modern seismic resilience with traditional craftsmanship, salvaging original materials and faithfully reconstructing lost elements. Innovative techniques, including 3D scanning for statue replication, seamlessly integrated new and old. This landmark restoration not only safeguards a vital piece of New Zealand’s architectural heritage but also plays a crucial role in Christchurch’s cultural and urban regeneration, symbolizing the city’s resilience and commitment to its historical legacy.

Chapel of the Upper Room – Renovations & Strengthening by Wilkie + Bruce Architects
Designed in the 1960s by Sir Miles Warren, the Chapel of the Upper Room is a key building at the University of Canterbury’s Ilam campus and a celebrated example of mid-century Australasian chapel architecture. Featuring a copper-clad, M-shaped roof, béton brut concrete, and exposed timber trusses, the chapel was damaged in the 2010 – 2011 earthquakes and deemed earthquake-prone. Its meticulous restoration preserved original materials and proportions while adding discreet seismic strengthening, a new raft slab foundation, and a modern glazed egress link. The project removed later additions, revealing the original undercroft and staircase, ensuring this architectural treasure continues to serve future generations.

Hospitality

Sumner Post Office by Nott Architects
The 1938 Sumner Post Office has been transformed into a vibrant, community-focused brew bar, blending heritage with contemporary design. The original concrete structure now houses an open, light-filled bar and restaurant, anchored by a large timber bar, colourful tiles, bespoke lighting, and an open pizza oven. A new rear addition accommodates kitchens and intimate seating. The design celebrates the building’s character while enhancing sustainability and functionality. Durable, low-maintenance materials, reeded glass, rich tones and warm timber details create a welcoming atmosphere. Natural light and industrial elements enhance the space, while 5% of beer revenue supports local causes — proving good design can give back.

Sugarloaf at Flockhill by Hierarchy Group
Nestled amidst the breathtaking Southern Alps, Sugarloaf at Flockhill Station is a culinary and hospitality destination that seamlessly blends with its dramatic natural setting. Showcasing a remarkable balance between the built form and its majestic surroundings, delivering a truly immersive guest experience. The judicious use of raw materials — timber, stone, and steel —ensures a strong connection to the landscape, framed panoramic views of the Southern Alps. Its grand scale is tempered by intimate zones, reflecting a commitment to guest experience and sustainability. Sugarloaf is a stunning homage to Flockhill Station’s heritage, exemplifying architectural innovation in harmony with nature.

The NZIA Architecture Awards programme is supported by Resene and APL.