Article courtesy of New Zealand Local Government Magazine www.localgovernmentmag.co.nz
The region’s most exciting new local government building projects have won acclaim in the 2008 Canterbury Architecture Awards.
Judging convenor, Christchurch-based architect Richard Hayman, said local government entries had been of high quality – and provided surprises for judges, with innovative and striking solutions.
The Selwyn District Council buildings at Rolleston, by Athfield Architects, was a winner in both the Public and Sustainable Architecture categories.
Judges praised the sustainable principles applied throughout and the way the architect had drawn on metaphors of water and materials of the Canterbury Plains to “create a building rooted in place”.
One of the most unusual entries was the Pumpstation 11 sewage facility in Linwood, Christchurch, a winner in Commercial Architecture and the Resene Colour Awards.
Designed by City Solutions, it uses natural timber and tinted glass panels over concrete surfaces and includes a large gold-painted diesel tank.
“This was the most unusual project we visited,” said Mr Hayman. “It is totally within a residential area and the architect has worked closely with the engineers to create a building which is almost a sculpture or public art within a high quality landscaped urban park.
“We could not believe it when we visited. You expect this sort of facility to be fenced off but the public can walk right around it and enjoy it.
“Technically, it is also an amazing project. It includes a huge generator but has been designed so no noise can escape.”
The Gowerton Place social housing project in Richmond, Christchurch, also by City Solutions, won in the Multiple Housing category.
Judges praised the “organic arrangement”, sustainable principles, including storm water recycling, and elements such as double glazing and underfloor heating all provided within a restricted budget.
The Ashburton Trust Event Centre, by architect and actor Stewart Ross of Fulton Ross Team Architecture, was also a winner in Public Architecture and the Resene Colour Awards.
Ashburton Performing Arts Trust applied, unsuccessfully, for central government funding of $1.8m to complete the building and, instead took out a loan for that amount, which was underwritten by Ashburton District Council.
The council is also planning to cover a budgeted first year operating loss.
The building combines use as a theatre with conference centre, community and cinema facilities. Judges described it as “one of the most fantastic and functional theatres in the South Island” and also awarded it a Resene Colour Award.
Judges also awarded an Enduring Architecture award to the The Brougham St Apartments social housing development, designed by Cowey Mills Architects in 1978.
Mr Hayman praised the apartments, considered highly experimental when they were built, for their “European town” atmosphere with individual living areas created around a series of courtyards.”
Mr Hayman was joined on the judging panel by Virginia Fay of Virginia Fay Architects Dunedin, Ian Wells (architect) and Geoff Banks of specialist Christchurch-based engineering consultancy Structex.
As well as visiting all shortlisted properties, the judges met with the architects and clients. The buildings were judged against a series of key criteria including their contribution to the advancement of architecture as a discipline and enhancement of the human spirit.
The New Zealand Architecture Awards programme, which has a new format this year, was established by the New Zealand Institute of Architects to celebrate the innovation, creativity and excellence of architectural projects nationwide.
The awards are open to all architect members of NZIA Practices, and projects can be entered into one or more of 10 categories – Public architecture, Residential architecture – housing, Residential architecture – multiple housing, Commercial architecture, Urban design, Interior architecture, Heritage, Small project architecture, Sustainability, 25-year awards for enduring architecture. There is no limit to the number of awards the local jury can make in any category.
The programme has three tiers, progressing from the eight local regional awards to national recognition and through to the ultimate accolade, the New Zealand Architecture Medal.
All local winners become eligible for consideration for a New Zealand Architecture Award, which is decided by a national jury, which includes an overseas judge, in early 2009.
In late May, at the NZIA’s annual Gala Dinner, one project from each category will be named as a finalist for the New Zealand Architecture Medal, and the winner named later in the evening. Only one New Zealand Architecture Medal will be bestowed each year, in recognition of a single built work.
The awards programme is organised and run by the NZIA and is supported by Resene.
