Hanmer Springs may not be the first place many people think of when they think of spectacular New Zealand architectural design. But perhaps it should be – after all, that’s where this year’s Supreme Winner of the ADNZ/Resene Architectural Design Awards can be found.
“The Family Bach,” by Cymon Allfrey of Cymon Allfrey Architects was named as the Supreme Winner last Friday. The awards, presented by the Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ), are one of the most coveted architecture awards in the country.
This is but the latest award “The Family Bach” has won. The building also won a national award at the 2018 NZ Wood Resene Timber Design Awards, it made the 2018 Home of the Year shortlist, received a Commended in the Dulux Colour 2018 Awards, and has been shortlisted in the 2018 New Zealand Architecture Awards.
According to ADNZ judge and award-winning architect Mitchell Coll of Coll Architecture, “The Family Bach” wowed judges for several reasons. “’The Family Bach’ is a fun design, not just in its aesthetic but also the way it encourages play,” he said. “The architecture deliberately challenges our understanding of a dwelling. Architecture doesn’t need to be boring. It should be art.”
Judges also praised “The Family Bach” for its use of cross-laminated timber and glulam beams. “They are innovative and sustainable and a really nice alternative to steel,” said Coll. “Mass timber products use pine, which is New Zealand grown, New Zealand manufactured, New Zealand designed and developed technology. Pine grows really fast and is an easily replaceable timber crop, making it super sustainable.”
“The Family Batch” may have taken home the Supreme prize, but eight other stunning structures won awards, too. Here’s a breakdown – along with the requisite pretty pictures.
*****
Commercial Interior Architectural Design Award
Nixon Studio
Mark McLeay, Creative Arch
Grey Lynn, Auckland
Nestled into the trees, this project celebrates its structure. The brief was to provide a new space for an architectural design firm. Prefabricated materials including concrete panels, cross-laminated timber and structural steel are.
Judges’ comments: “The exterior is drawn into the lobby of the building via gardens and paving in a manner that is generous and yet efficient. Black lines of structure and services are drawn forward from muted walls, floors and ceilings to modulate the office. Relationships of void to social to service to meeting to desk space, allow for an effective combination of natural light and supplementary lighting to play out into the depths of the space. This would be a great place to work. An inviting interior which meets the brief of a community facility in a straight forward and uncomplicated manner.”
*****
Residential New Home between 150m2 and 300m2
Chain Mail
Adam Taylor, Adam Taylor Architecture
Mount Maunganui
Located on a small site in a coastal setting, Adam Taylor has ignored traditional coastal aesthetics, instead the design embraces strong industrial structures and materials.
Judges’ comments: “Recessed decks, cantilevering roofs and projected floor levels make this house a strong spatial composition. Set on a small site, the plan is simple and efficient, yet flexible. Some cladding of the house is brick which provides a soft finish in contrast to the dark painted fibre cement panels elsewhere.”
*****
Residential Interiors
Wooden Origami House
Will Tatton, Will Tatton Architecture
Tauranga
An iconic 1960s wooden house was extensively renovated for this project. The result? Something that not only looks brand new yet timeless, but also like something one might see in a home and garden magazine.
Judges’ comments: “This a successful adaption of a standard 1960’s prefabricated house plan, the living areas and bathrooms have been linked with oiled cedar ply to provide a rich, timber interior. Windows have been enlarged and trimmed in macrocarpa with new joinery. Books on the walls have been integrated into black painted shelving to inject an invigorating contrast to the natural timber. Doors are also painted dark, along with the kitchen journey. They have kept the old fireplace and extended the large deck on the north side which serves as a juxtaposing element, yet it is still essential to the overall aesthetic.”
*****
Residential New Home over 300m2
Glandovey Home
Cymon Allfrey, Cymon Allfrey Architects
Strowan, Christchurch
This home seems extremely private when viewed from the busy street, but is open to a north-facing garden. The interior spaces can be opened up for entertaining, but the dwelling can also be compartmentalised for a more intimate feel. The home is organised around a central entry gallery which sits below a sloping ceiling.
Judges’ comments: “This building, although an individualist, sits well within the context of its surroundings. Its approach from the street is both sympathetic and private, while still providing a grand and alluring entry. Simple forms come together in a considered way, so the pitched roof feels as though it is lightly floating on the darker cedar box of the building. This soaring pitched roof is elegantly detailed to flow through the length of the house providing striking interior and exterior volumes and gently enclosing the spaces below.”
*****
Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling
Latimer
Kelly Rush, Krush Architecture
Christchurch Central
The brief was to create three large, modern-styled townhouses on a main road in the heart of Christchurch. These units were to be light, bright, spacious four-bedroom, three bathroom and double garage units – quite a bit larger than the typical one or two-bedroom apartments in the surrounding area. Overall, these units feel more like houses than apartments.
Judges’ comments: “Durable materials are assembled in a manner that will ensure these buildings will sit well in this central Christchurch context for years to come. The scale of the tenancies and the spaces within are generous, while the height of the building demonstrates consideration for neighbouring buildings in that it allows those located behind, visual access to the park beyond. Robust site planning, that includes raising the living spaces above street level, supports a sense of privacy in this busy urban setting.”
*****
Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award
Redcliffs Village Library
Greg Young, Young Architects
Redcliffs, Christchurch
The brief was to deliver a small, fit-for-purpose, community hub facility that supports both the voluntary library function and a multipurpose community space. The building had to be sustainable, and also reflect the culture of Redcliffs.
Judges’ comments: “A modest gabled building stands at a pedestrian crossing. It is raised on a plinth and lights the forecourt by the light cast from inside. It is a wharenui, a barn, and a library that belongs to this place, time and community. It is unusual for a public building to incorporate translucent polycarbonate into its face. However, the addition gives the structure prominence and a free, uncomplicated feel.”
*****
Residential Alterations and Additions
Kotahi Avenue
Aaron Guerin, LAD Architecture
Beerescourt, Hamilton
The existing home was an original Californian bungalow with beautiful features, but in dire need of a restoration and additional space for a growing family. The client asked for a Huka Lodge aesthetic – keeping the home’s original character while injecting modern day comforts.
Judges’ comments: “This existing Californian bungalow has had a considerable renovation. Not only has it been carried out in sympathy for the original style of the building, it has also added further to the overall aesthetic. Careful site and floor planning have produced thoroughly usable areas in what have typically been difficult buildings to address. Exposed interior trusses, traditional wall panelling throughout and kitchen detailing consistent with the style have all been expertly included to give a very successful outcome for the clients.”
*****
Resene Colour in Design Award
A Cabin & Trees
Tane Cox, Red Architecture
Tamahere, Waikato
A simple dwelling on a tree-filled site in a semi-rural location. The brief was for a guest accommodation to accompany a larger dwelling. Design challenges included retaining the tree-scape, managing foliage from seasonal change and creating a structure that represented its environment well. The dwelling needed to be comfortable for varied lengths of stay. The surrounding trees were considered important in the design approach, and so a structure was built that directly references a trees basic atomy. Cedar timber layers the exterior, while Siberian larch was used to layer the interior living spaces.
Judges’ comments: “The brief here has clearly been met with an effective use of materials, textures and colours. The exterior stain effortlessly blends into the tree filled site and will continue to do so as the seasons change. Paint colours have been used successfully to reference the soft, warm Siberian larch. Natural and artificial light has been carefully considered to maximise warmth and enhance the natural tones.”
