The Lower North Island Awards were judged over eight categories and included residential, interior and commercial projects.

This year’s judging panel consisted of Tim Judd (FNZIA) from Napier-based Judd Dougan Team Architecture Ltd; Ashley Hartley from Gemco Construction and the NZ President of the Registered Master Builders Federation; and Richard Chandler, Area Manager of Resene Paints in Napier.

The judges commented on the overall high calibre of the entries, and were particularly impressed by the work of Nathan Rooney and Tushka Glintmeyer from Space Architecture Studio. Their designs won the Wellington-based practice three awards categories, with a finalist placing in a fourth category.

The first of these was for the Residential New Single Dwelling Up to 250sq m. Rooney and Glintmeyer’s design of the Eade House at Waikanae Beach was commended by the judges for its ‘clean lines, nice geometry and external proportions, with a balanced mix of materials.’

‘The good plan layout meets the brief requirements of the owners for present usage and for future options,’ said the judges. They also praised the very professional presentation of the entry.

Greg Melville from Greg Melville Architectural Design was a finalist in this category for his design of the Nevay Rd House in Karaka Bays, Wellington. The judges liked his modern take on 1930s’ style with its crisp exterior detailing and melding of different materials.

Other finalists in this category were Bryan Musson from Bryan Musson Architectural Ltd for The Hillside Residence at Tuki Tuki Valley in the Hawke’s Bay, which was commended for the way it blended into the rural setting; Michael Boyce from Boyce Architecture Ltd received praise for his Simla Ave design in Havelock North.

This home was also a finalist in the Residential Interiors category for its functional and spacious kitchen. The judges noted the way it ‘relates fully and appropriately to the views and exterior living spaces.’

In the Residential New Single Dwelling Over 250sq m category, a home in Palmerston North by Phil Stansfield of Emerge Architectural Design was judged the winner for what the judges called its ‘appealing exterior lines and forms.’

‘Clever planning has made the best use of this site,’ they said. ‘The mix of exterior materials has been used in a balanced manner.’

Peter Davis and Brynn McCauley from Peter Davis Architecture was a finalist in this category for the Moore House in Porirua, described by the judges as a ‘modern and homely design’ exhibiting ‘a solid mix of exterior materials, and strong interior detailing.’

The other finalist in this category was Nathan Rooney and Tushka Glintmeyer from Space Architecture Studio for the Wattam House in Paraparaumu. This home won a further two categories, picking up the Residential Interiors Award for what the judges deemed ‘crisp and uncluttered integrity throughout, and dramatic and effective lighting – both artificial and natural.’

The house also won the Resene Colour Award for its simple and timeless balance of whites and neutrals, which contrasted nicely with the solid colours of the flooring, granite and tiles.

The Residential Alterations and Additions category was taken out by Graeme Boucher from Coast Edge Architectural for the Rosetta Rd Renewal in Raumati South, Wellington. It exhibited a ‘beachiness’ the judges found appropriate.

‘The crisp, clean addition dramatically alters and enhances the exterior,’ they said.

The two finalists in this category were Graeme Calcott of Calcott Architecture and Landscape Design for the Williamson house in Plimmerton, described by the judges as ‘a successful transformation and modernisation’ of the home’s frontage; and the Mitchell House by Peter Davis and Michael Nemeth from Peter Davis Architecture, deemed ‘an overall nice rejuvenation to a dated home.’

The Mitchell House was also judged a finalist in the Residential Interiors Category with the judges commenting favourably on its light and airy feel and clever additional internal spaces.

The Commercial / Industrial / Commercial Interiors Award was won by Stephen Palmer of Stephen Palmer Design Studio for the Fabric clothing store, located in an Edwardian building on Wanganui’s Victoria Ave.

This entry was described by the judges as timeless and robust with the display frontage exhibiting a ‘sympathetic and restrained openness. The lattice trusses add character and lightness to the spaces, they said.

The First Time Entrant Award acknowledges the efforts of those who are rookies in the ADNZ Design Awards, and this year’s winner was Alan Craig of Alan Craig Design for the Nokes House in Otaki. The judges were impressed by its rural feel, appropriate use of external materials and the way it sits comfortably in the rural environment.

And the final award of the day, the Special Projects Award was won by Peter Davis from Peter Davis Architecture for the Dingley Dell Dunny in Kenepuru Sounds. In commending the project, the judges commented on the appropriate use of local materials and recycled product, as well as its energy efficiency with great natural ventilation and water conservation.