Innovation in a difficult economic climate was a feature of
winning designs in the 2012 Southern Architecture Awards,
announced at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.
Awards were presented for seven Otago projects, ranging from
public changing rooms to houses and a hotel.
The design of the winning projects reflected the challenging
economic conditions in New Zealand, awards convener and
Dunedin architect Niko Young said last night.
"Even though times are tough, client expectations remain
high. This has resulted in innovative architecture produced
to lean budgets," he said.
"Architects and clients doing more with less is a theme of
the 2012 Southern Architecture Awards. Such an approach often
involves the reworking of existing buildings."
The Logan Park changing rooms by Architectural Ecology won
awards in both the small project and sustainable categories.
The jury had been impressed how the company improved the
functionality of the changing rooms, while respecting the
historical condition of the building, Mr Young said.
The University Union redevelopment by Parker Warburton Team
Architects won the interior architecture award.
"Much can be gleaned about a university's attitude towards
its students from the facilities it provides for them. This
long-overdue redevelopment of Otago University's Union
building is, accordingly, a welcome gesture," Mr Young said.
Awards were also made to a Lake Hawea house design by
Glamuzina Paterson Architects, which used second-hand bricks
in a "clever and dextrous house", and a "sumptuous" Dublin St
holiday home in Queenstown designed by Kerr Ritchie.
An Arrowtown house by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Chin
Architects won an award for the extensive alteration of an
existing building.
"The architect has engaged with the house's gabled forms and
explored ways of reinhabiting them," the panel noted.
The Thom residence in Waitati by Mason and Wales Architects
was a "meticulously crafted home".
"The successful marrying of architecture and landscape yields
a rich sensory experience."
The only commercial building to receive an award was the
Arrow Private Hotel in Queenstown, designed by Assembly
Architects.
"These delicately detailed 'boxes' materialise as jewels
nestled into the tree-lined hillside," the panel said.
The judging panel comprised Mr Young, University of Otago
design for technology department fellow Michale Findlay,
Dunedin architect Regan Hall and Auckland architect Nicola
Herbst.
-nigel.benson@odt.co.nz
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