Worthy projects that showcase what architects can deliver. By Michael Smith
The end of each year is often a time of celebration and reflection – and no less so when it comes to acknowledging Aotearoa New Zealand’s top architectural projects and talents.
At an awards ceremony held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in late November, Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) recognised 29 projects across 11 categories, which included Education, Hospitality, Housing and Public Architecture.
The process began in late April with the NZIA’s Local Architecture Awards, which promoted and celebrated outstanding architecture in the institute’s eight regional branches. Regional winners were then evaluated for possible further honours at the national level.
The national winners were chosen from a shortlist of 61 projects – and judged by a panel that comprised jury convenor Craig Moller (director of Moller Architects), Beth Cameron of Makers of Architecture, Nicola Herbst of Herbst Architects, and Ilana Freadman of Freadman White in Melbourne.
“It was no easy task in selecting our winners from so many worthy projects that showcased the value architects can deliver for their clients,” says Mr Moller. “We had especially strong projects in the Heritage and Small Project categories this year, which was a pleasure to see and made our job as a jury even more challenging. Congratulations to our many worthy winners on their innovative, inspiring and aspirational works.”
TE ĀHURU MŌWAI
One of two winners in the Public Architecture category is Te Āhuru Mōwai by Architecture Plus – the transformation of a 1970s modernist library into a multi-purpose community facility.
The judges described it as an elegantly restrained project that reorganises the existing facility “by inserting a new axial arrangement that connects to the wider context of community and civic spaces – and provides an internal organisation device to connect new rooms and spaces with existing ones”.
The mass timber structure continues the original footprint to the street-facing elevations – with timber screens (detailed yet understated) providing the only embellishment.
According to the architects, contributions from a number of local artists included the carpet patterning, balustrade designs, glazing manifestations and various carvings (whakairo).
Te Āhuru Mōwai has been described as “a valued asset to the people of Feilding and a testament to thoughtful design”.
SUGARLOAF AT FLOCKHILL
A winner in the Hospitality category is Sugarloaf by Hierarchy Group. Located at Flockhill, a remote and historic sheep station in the Craigieburn Valley (South Island), Sugarloaf is “designed to elevate the station into a world-class destination that celebrates heritage, hospitality and tourism”.
Hierarchy Group’s brief was to create a restaurant that refl ected the owners’ vision “for an immersive and unique dining experience – deeply rooted in New Zealand’s farming heritage with a ‘homely’ atmosphere at a commercial scale and a sense of grandeur”.
The judges were impressed with the simple gable form and strong cross axis, carefully oriented to frame views and nestled amongst the surrounding beech forest.
“Inside, a rich palette of natural materials evokes the atmosphere of a luxurious alpine lodge on a grand scale, while the exposed structure introduces a rhythmic order and the warmth of natural timber.”
Hierarchy Group’s Ashton Wright, Director, and Wen Ting, Associate, said “the timber ranges from cedar (select lengths) and tonka (chef’s table) to plywood (custom-grooved ceilings and battens) and engineered LVL (rafter beams). Further, veneers were used on joinery, with solid clashing; while dining tables are ash and the fl ooring is an oak veneer.”
The judges concluded that the design achieves a balance of grandeur, intimacy and precision. “The result is an alpine dining experience that is both dramatic and immersive, celebrating place, craft and hospitality.”
POPADICH HOUSE
One of three winners in the Housing category is Popadich House by Davor Popadich Architects – which also took out one of the Named Awards, the Sir Ian Athfi eld Award for Housing.
The regional citation for the project (Waikato/Bay of Plenty) noted its low-impact and restrained palette of natural unfi nished timber linings, timber fl ooring and cabinetry – complemented with black-stained structural timbers and joinery.
“Planning is rigorously organised on a 600mm grid aligned with rafter spacings, allowing for cost effi ciency and a variety of spatial outcomes.”
The national panel described Popadich House as “a sensitive and understated insertion into its rural setting, with careful and extensive plantings that both ground the building and provide shelter”.
Furthermore, it’s “a home of quiet character, accommodating the complexities of family living with clarity and care”.
NGĀ MOKOPUNA
Located on Victoria University of Wellington’s campus is Ngā Mokopuna (meaning descendants) by Tennent Brown Architects – a winner in the Education category.
The judges enthused about the forward- thinking and environmentally responsible design – “achieving a Living Building Challenge outcome that sets a new benchmark for sustainable architecture”.
Ngā Mokopuna is an innovative full timber structure that delivers “an elegant and pioneering contribution to advancing timber technology”.
Also a Named Award winner (the Ted McCoy Award for Education), this project exemplifies the future of sustainable design through a synthesis of “architectural ingenuity, environmental responsibility and collaborative expertise”.
