Architectural Projects Honoured
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Press release: New Zealand Institute of Architects
Hyde Park Corner memorial among outstanding projects honoured in NZIA 2009 New Zealand Architecture Awards
London’s New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner is among outstanding projects recognised in the New Zealand Institute
of Architects 2009 New Zealand Architecture Awards.
Seventeen other projects are also honoured in the country’s premier competition for design and architecture. A maximum
of three New Zealand Architecture Awards can be presented across 10 categories.
They range from Wellington’s groundbreaking sustainable Meridian Building to a school for children with disabilities, an
Auckland streetscape, Queenstown mountain retreat and a Christchurch pumpstation.
Auckland had the largest number of winning projects with eight awards and Athfield Architects Ltd was the stand-out
practice with wins in five categories.
Gerald Parsonson, of Parsonson Architects, convenor of the awards jury, said the national judging process had sparked
positive discussion about the importance of architects in urban design.
“As part of the process we met with some senior council managers,” he said. “There was a lot of discussion about how we
can energise cities and towns.
“Many European councils employ architects to work extensively in this area. This is something we would like to see more
widely in New Zealand as many cities and towns face the question of how they can create and sustain really effective
working communities.”
The winning projects will now be considered for the New Zealand Architecture Medal, to be announced in May. Only one
Medal may be awarded each year.
The New Zealand Memorial, a winner in the International Architecture category, was designed by a team from Athfield
Architects Ltd in association with Dibble Art Company (sculptor) of Palmerston North.
It marks the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United Kingdom and our shared sacrifice during times of war. It
consists of 16 cross shaped vertical bronze standards set in formation on a grassy slope.
“The New Zealand Memorial is an urban design project that makes a statement in a sculptural and poetic way,” said Mr
Parsonson. “The slanted cruciform stakes set in a grid pattern conjure up many images.”
The Meridian Building, by Wellington’s Studio Pacific Architecture in association with Peddle Thorp Architects and the
new Selwyn District Council Buildings by Athfield Architects, were winners in Sustainable Architecture.
The Selwyn District Council Buildings was also a winner in the Public Architecture category along with Wilson School at
Takapuna, by Opus Architecture, and Tauranga Art Gallery by Mitchell & Stout Architects Ltd.
Residential Architecture awards went to a Queenstown mountain retreat by Fearon Hay Architects Ltd, the Cameron Farmer
House in Freemans Bay, Auckland, by Gerrad Hall Architects and a home in Leigh, Auckland by Tennent + Brown Architects.
The Thackeray Street Apartments in Hamilton by Mercer & Mercer Architects Ltd was a winner in Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing, and the Auckland City CBD
Streetscapes – Queen Street project, by Architectus Auckland, triumphed in Urban Design.
The RCP Building in Parnell, Auckland by RTA Studio, and a house and office in Leek Street, Auckland, by Simon Twose
Architect Limited, took Commercial Architecture Awards.
The restoration, conservation and interpretative installation project at the Colin McCahon Cottage at Titirangi, by
Pearson & Associates Architects with Graeme Burgess in association, and the restoration of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland, by
Warren and Mahoney were winners in the Heritage section.
The University of Otago School of Medicine and Health Science in Wellington, by Athfield Architects Ltd, carried off the
honours in Interior Architecture.
The Pumpstation 11 pumping station in Christchurch, by City Solutions, and the Len Lye Water Whirler Pier in Wellington,
by Athfield Architects Ltd, were both winners in Small Project Architecture.
Judges evaluated entries against criteria including the relationship of a building to its site and context, design
quality, building form, structure and spatial qualities. User satisfaction and environmental aspects were also taken
into account.
The main consideration for the judges in assessing projects is how well a project resolves key design issues and then
builds on this solution to “contribute to the advancement of architecture”.
The New Zealand Architecture Awards were established by the NZIA to celebrate the innovation, creativity and excellence
of projects nationwide.
NZIA 2009 New Zealand Architecture Awards
Commercial Architecture
RTA Studio – RCP Building, Parnell, Auckland
Simon Twose Architect Limited – House and Office, Leek St, Auckland
Heritage
Pearson & Associates Architects Ltd with Graeme Burgess in association – Colin McCahon Cottage, West Auckland
Warren and Mahoney – St Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland
Interior Architecture
Athfield Architects Ltd – University of Otago School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wellington
International Architecture
Athfield Architects Ltd in association with Dibble Art Company (sculptor) – the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park
Corner, London
Public Architecture
Opus Architecture – Wilson School, Takapuna
Mitchell & Stout Architects Ltd – Tauranga Art Gallery
Athfield Architects Ltd – Selwyn District Council Buildings, Canterbury
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Mercer & Mercer Architects Ltd – Thackeray Street Apartments, Hamilton
Residential Architecture – Houses
Fearon Hay Architects Ltd – Mountain Retreat, Queenstown
Gerrad Hall Architects – Cameron/Farmer House, Auckland
Tennent + Brown Architects – Leigh House, Leigh
Small Project Architecture
City Solutions – Pumpstation 11, Christchurch
Athfield Architects Ltd – Len Lye Water Whirler Pier, Wellington
Sustainable Architecture
Studio Pacific Architecture in association with Peddle Thorp Architects – Meridian Building, Jervois Quay, Wellington
Athfield Architects Ltd – Selwyn District Council Buildings, Canterbury
Urban Design
Architectus Auckland – Auckland City CBD Streetscapes – Queen Street, Auckland
ENDS