The winners of the ADNZ/Resene Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regional Design Awards 2007 were announced at a dinner and presentation on 13 July at Mills Reef Winery & Restaurant in Tauranga.

Architectural Designers New Zealand Inc (ADNZ) was formed in 1966 to promote and develop the professional skills and services offered by its members, who are all specialists in building design and construction. Its annual award programme, the ADNZ/Resene Design Awards, aims to celebrate architectural design excellence, boost design standards and acknowledge the creative influence of ADNZ members.

The Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regional Awards were judged in 12 different categories covering residential, commercial and interior projects, and included several new categories introduced for this year’s awards.

Judging the 2007 competition was a panel of six, consisting of Anne Pankhurst from the Chamber of Commerce; interior designer Terry Walsh; architect John Henderson; Michelle Mitchell from Resene; Dave Owen from Gerard Roofs; and Ron Cheyne from James Hardie Building Products.

Among the large number of winners, one architectural firm did exceptionally well. Noel Jessop Architecture took home five category wins, including the Judges’ Commendation Award, with three diverse projects.

The first of the practice’s commendations was for the Residential New Single Dwelling over 250sqm Award. The Chapman Residence in Hamilton was chosen as the winner in two categories. According to the judges, it presented a simple, effective style of architecture.

“It has an honest use of materials and colours,” the judges said. “This building has an artistic built form creating more an object than a building. It completely

addresses the brief, with seamless exterior living space, and typifies modern living.”

The runner-up was John Little of Ambienti Frandsen Architecture for the Nicol Residence in Tauranga, which stood out for its excellent attention to detail.

“It shows the simple but effective blending of many materials and forms, and appears to be a very efficient and utilitarian home,” commented the judges.

The same firm scooped the top prize for New Residential Dwelling Under 250sqm, with another project, the Henderson Residence in Mt Maunganui. The judges were pleased with the home’s clean lines and the ways in which a simple structure had been personalised.

“An effective use of shutters, colours and a monopitch roofline add to an otherwise simple form,” they said.

Adrian Byrne of Byrne Architecture took the honours in the Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling category with his work for Willoughby Properties in Hamilton. Good use of site space and working within restrictive planning conditions attracted the judges to the project. It was the finer details, however, that sealed the deal for Byrne Architecture’s win.

“The building has privacy but responds well to the river environment,” the judges said. “It also has very effective lighting and interior design.”

The Residential Alterations and Additions Award went to Brendon Gordon of Brendon Gordon Architecture for the Maclachlin Residence in Papamoa. His interpretation of the brief for ‘a classic beach bach that was not too precious’ appealed to the judges.

“This design makes good use of materials suitable for the bach and beach environment. The excellent design of the main living area with extended bay window complements the connection to the outdoors,” they said.

Also commended in this category was Richard Hale of Insight Architecture for the Jeffries Residence in Te Puke.

The Chapman Residence, by Noel Jessop Architecture, took its second win with the Residential Interior Award for the design of the kitchen. The timeless, seamless quality it exudes appealed to the judges who praised the white-on-light-coloured-timber effect, which created a “wonderful lighting texture”.

“The space has excellent proportions. Of particular note was the anchor of the black pantry and utility area,” the judges said.

The winners in the category also took the finalist’s spot with a different project, the Silverton Residence in Hamilton, for which the team also designed the kitchen.

Diversity in design and flair in application was also demonstrated in entries from the commercial sector. The first to take a win, in the New Commercial / Industrial category, were Noel Jessop and Nick Crossfield from Noel Jessop Architecture for their design of CKL Surveyors’ new building in Hamilton.

“From any angle this building has excellent perspective,” the judges commented, adding that it was a high-end modernist building that blends well with the site.

Darryl Church Architecture was awarded the finalist’s prize for Trinity House in Rotorua.

The Davidson Interiors project, undertaken by Matt Hodson of Insight Architecture stood out amongst the Commercial Interior Award’s entries. The Tauranga fashion boutique features a high level of design execution and attention to detail, said the judges.

“This interior presents a perfect canvas for product display,” they said.

Darryl Church Architecture took the finalist’s place for an office building in Rotorua. The building, named Darryl Church Architecture and Cleghorn, Gillespie and Jensen Offices, not only featured in this category but was also awarded the top prize in the Resene Colour Award.

Categories featuring for the first time this year in the ADNZ/Resene Design Regional Awards are the James Hardie Distinctive Design Award, which rewards the use of James Hardie products in an innovative residential or commercial application; and the Gerard Roofs Design Award, which recognises the aesthetic appeal and function a roof plays in design.

The winners of the two awards in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional awards programme were, respectively, Noel Jessop Architecture for the Burton Ashton

Residence in Hamilton; and Bay Design Architecture for the Carrus Corporation Showhome and Offices in Bethlehem, Tauranga.

A dentist’s building in Mt Maunganui was the winning entry in the First-Time Entrant category. The judges were impressed with the level of quality shown by winner Leighton Watene of CADLAB Ltd, saying his entry was setting the benchmark for new entrants into the awards.

“The building responds well to the location and meets the requirements of brief and budget. This was an excellent first-time entry,” they concurred.

Under the title of Special Projects, Ambienti Frandsen Architecture again featured, this time recognised for its work on the Cooney Residence outdoor area. The home in Tauranga does not create barriers to the very public space but still manages to retain privacy for the owners, the judges said.

“[This design] understands that the outdoor experience now adds another living area and is as important as the indoors.”

Commended in the category was also Insight Architecture for its photography of the Davidson Interior project.

A judges’ commendation topped off the night for Noel Jessop Architecture when its Burton Ashton project was again in the spotlight, this time for entry presentation.

“This is an excellent example of a presentation board that told the story. The board presented the subject in a manner that was not only informative but extremely creative and appealing, confirming that [&] the impression and effect of the presentation does the sell,” the judges concluded.