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New Zealand's Top Architecture Awards Announced

Published: Mon 27 May 2002 09:43 AM
25 May 2002
Architects from around the country gathered at a gala dinner in Christchurch tonight (May 25) to discover which projects had won architecture's highest accolade, the Supreme New Zealand Award for Architecture.
Out of the 32 New Zealand Architecture Award finalists, just two, an Auckland school building and a Paraparaumu holiday house were announced as this year's New Zealand Institute of Architects-Resene Supreme Award winners.
The two winners were Parsonson Beach House, Paraparaumu, by Parsonson Architects and St Peter's College Technology Building, Newmarket, Auckland, by Architectus Auckland.
St Peters College Technology Building is visible daily to thousands of motorists travelling Auckland's Southern Motorway near Gillies Avenue, while Parsonson Beach House also won NZ Home & Entertaining's 2001 Home of the Year award.
All of the architects of this year's NZ Architecture Awards along with the Supreme NZ Award winner received their awards tonight. This year's NZIA Gold Medal was also presented, to Dunedin architect Ted McCoy from McCoy & Wixon Architects Ltd. The award recognises an outstanding contribution to the practice of architecture, demonstrated through the production of a consistently high-quality body of work over a period of time.
Geoff Richards, principal of Geoff Richards Architects Ltd, a previous National awards winner, again headed the awards selection panel. Joining him on this year's jury were Malcolm Walker, John Vial, Ian Athfield, and Australian architect Peter Stutchbury. This year's standard was very high, Geoff Richards noted, with five buildings coming close to being selected for top honours.
"However by the end of the selection process the jury was unanimous in agreeing that two Supreme Awards would be made," Geoff Richards said.
The St Peter's College Technology Building impressed the jury for being "a simple, healthy and handsome building and, being so visible from the motorway, a very welcome piece of city furniture".
"The building, which sits against the Southern Motorway could have been developed just as a soundproof box," Geoff Richards said. "However the architects considered a much wider range of options in terms of use, space, colour and position in relation not just to the motorway but to other college buildings. Also, a large window at one end and along the side of the building forms a cross, illuminated at night, expressing the college's religious tradition."
The Parsonson Beach House was judged to be 'Supreme' "because it provides an extraordinarily unassuming and simple experience of a really relaxing holiday house by the sea," Geoff Richards said. The house comprises three buildings - a beach house, guest accommodation and amenities building.
The jury enjoyed the way the house sits beautifully in its landscape, opening out to grass and sea and provided a very relaxing atmosphere, rekindling the experience of the classic Kiwi seaside bach.
"The assured manner in which the planning, detailing, choice of materials and colours have been handled results in a house that encourages one to relax and slip into holiday mode," the jury noted.
Geoff Richards said all the NZ architecture award winners impressed the jury and having overseas juror Peter Stutchbury on the jury provided a fresh and new viewpoint that was extremely valuable.
"There was an interesting range of buildings and in the community and cultural and education sectors particularly, we were impressed by the many very thoughtful and imaginative solutions achieved by architects committed to producing excellent architecture."
Ted McCoy, who received this year's NZIA Gold Medal at tonight's ceremony, has won several top awards in his career. He received National awards for Kavanagh College (formerly St Paul's High School) in 1965; St Paul's Cathedral in 1970; Hocken Building (1972-1980); and the redevelopment of Otago Boys' High School in 1985.
NZIA president John Sinclair says the Gold Medal recognises Ted McCoy as a "real giant in the architectural world of New Zealand".
"The award recognises his great contribution to architecture and his position as a role model in the architecture of excellence. The consistently high standard of his work over the years also demonstrates the quality New Zealand architecture has achieved."
McCoy and Wixon is known for its award-winning houses, educational buildings and churches of national pre-eminence. In 2000, the NZIA recognised the completion of St Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin with the 25 Year Award. The most recent award to the practice was a New Zealand Award this year for the Otago University St David Street Theatre.
Ted McCoy's work is known for expressing an architectural vision equally at ease in historic and contemporary urban contexts. His buildings are characterised by the use of simple, articulated forms and a considered use of natural light. He uses locally available materials - stone, concrete, timber, brick and tile and from the organisation of these emerge the special architectural qualities of integrity, resonance and endurance that define his work. Ends
Digital images of the award winning projects (also embargoed until May 25 at 6.15 pm) are available through the NZIA site on www.nzia.co.nz/press Username is: press Password is: christchurch (both are case sensitive)
Digital images of a selection of McCoy's (Gold Medal winner) projects and full citations (also embargoed until May 25 at 6.15 pm) are also available through www.nzia.co.nz/press Username is: press Password is: christchurch (both are case sensitive)
Biographical Notes on National Jury Members are available through http://www.nzia.co.nz/award/html/national/nzawards.htm
Supreme New Zealand Awards for Architecture
Jury Comments (Citations)
Parsonson Beach House
Practice: Parsonson Architects
Category: Residential
The positioning of this house and out buildings, and the manner in which
the entry and landscape have been dealt with, has produced an environment
that rekindles memories of the classic kiwi seaside bach. The assured
manner in which the planning, detail, choice of material and colour have
been put together results in a house that encourages one to relax and slip
into holiday mode.
St Peter's College Technology Building
Practice: Architectus Auckland
Category: Education
A building which takes an unpromising site and simple brief and extends
both to remarkable effect. The building is a firm and appropriate cultural
anchor on the edge of motorway chaos that respects tradition but
confidently aligns itself with contemporary values. The interior and
courtyard have been carefully integrated with the neighbouring buildings
to work snugly within the visual and acoustic protection of its
beautifully resolved shell. A simple, healthy and handsome building and,
being so visible from the motorway, a welcome piece of city furniture.
NZIA-RESENE NEW ZEALAND AWARDS FOR ARCHITECTURE 2002
Digital images of the awards are available through the NZIA site -
www.nzia.co.nz/award/html/awardslist.htm
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Building, East Tamaki, Auckland
Practice: Mason & Wales/Architects Ltd
Category: Commercial & Industrial & Colour Award
Gladstone Rd Offices
Location: Parnell, Auckland
Practice: Fearon Hay Architects
Category: Commercial & Industrial
Site 3
Location: Newton, Auckland
Practice: Architects Patterson
Category: Commercial & Industrial
Allan Bean Centre, Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Practice: Sheppard & Rout Ltd
Category: Community & Cultural
aratoi: the Wairarapa museum of art & history, Masterton
Location: Masterton
Practice: Studio of Pacific Architecture Ltd
Category: Community & Cultural
Manukau District Court
Practice: Architects New Zealand and Noel Lane Architects
Category: Community & Cultural
New Lynn Community Centre
Practice: Architectus Auckland
Category: Community & Cultural
WEL Energy Academy of Performing Arts - University of Waikato
Location: Hamilton
Practice: Meritec in association with Architecture Warren & Mahoney
Category: Community & Cultural
World of WearableArt Complex
Location: Nelson
Practice: Archimedia Ltd
Category: Community & Cultural
New Plymouth Girls High 'Millennium Block'
Practice: Dickson Lonergan Ltd
Category: Education
St Peter's College Technology Building
Location: Newmarket, Auckland
Practice: Architectus Auckland
Category: Education
Te Amorangi - The Learning Centre and Administration Building
Location: Auckland
Practice: JASMAX Limited
Category: Education
University of Otago St David Theatre
Location: Dunedin
Practice: McCoy and Wixon Architects Ltd
Category: Education
Eichardts Restoration and Redevelopment
Location: Queenstown
Practice: Michael Wyatt Architect Ltd with heritage architects Salmond
Reed Architects Category: Heritage & Conservation
Redevelopment of Mount St Mary's Seminary for Mission Estate Winery
Location: Taradale, Napier
Practice: Fat Parrot Architecture
Category: Heritage & Conservation
Redevelopment of Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
Practice: Archimedia Ltd
Category: Hospitality & Healthcare
Craig Craig Moller Auckland Office
Practice: Craig Craig Moller
Category: Interior Design & Colour Award
Maxam Apartments - Wellington
Practice: Craig Craig Moller
Category: Multiple Housing
New Apartments at 282 Wakefield St, Te Aro, Wellington
Practice: Architecture Workshop Ltd
Category: Multiple Housing
Hepburn St. House
Location: Ponsonby, Auckland
Practice: Nicholas Stevens Architects
Category: Residential
Herbst Bach
Location" Great Barrier Island
Practice: Lance Herbst Architects
Category: Residential
Northland Beach House
Location: Rawhiti Peninsula, Northland
Practice: Fearon Hay Architects
Category: Residential
Richmond House
Location: Christchurch
Practice: Modern Architecture Partners Ltd. (MAP)
Category: Residential
Parsonson Beach House
Locaiton: Paraparaumu
Practice: Parsonson Architects
Category: Residential & Colour Award
Sutherland House, Fendalton
Location: Christchurch
Practice: Architecture Warren & Mahoney
Category: Residential & Colour Award
Folly for K. & B. Mitchell & their Garden
Location: Masterton
Practice: Private Commission by Peter Mitchell
Category: Works Other Than Buildings
The Pacific Crystal Palace
Practice: Watt Architects
Category: Works Other Than Buildings
Hermitage Hotel Alterations and Additions (Exterior)
Location: Mt Cook
Practice: Michael Wyatt Architect Ltd
Category: Colour Award

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