While the architects of the Michael Hill clubhouse believe they are going into the competition as "underdogs" in the sports division, they say the global exposure will be good for New Zealand.
Another Wakatipu district project shortlisted for the awards, this time in the private home category, is the "Mountain Retreat" home on Glenorchy Rd overlooking Lake Wakatipu, designed by Auckland firm Fearon Hay Architects.
The private Hills golf club of millionaire jeweller Michael Hill, venue for last year's New Zealand Open, won four awards from the New Zealand Institute of Architects this year, including the supreme award.
The clubhouse joins the Beijing WaterCube ($NZ265 million) and Wembley Stadium (more than $NZ1 billion) on the list of nine finalists.
Hills architect Andrew Patterson, of Patterson Associates, of Auckland, "still can't believe" the Hills clubhouse made the shortlist.
"We're up against the biggest in the architectural world with some of the buildings. Yes, we're definitely attending the [October 24 prizegiving] event," he said when contacted yesterday.
"We'll be the underdogs, when you think of the size of these other commissions. [But] by being selected for these finals, we get to attract the interest of the world in what we're doing here in New Zealand," Mr Patterson said.
Patterson Associates' design of Auckland home Mai Mai is one of 16 chosen from designs for private residences all around the world for the shortlist.
Queenstown builders Peter and Paul Rodgers, of RBJ Builder, said the firm was proud to have built the Hills clubhouse, adding the two nominations for a worldwide competition was "humbling" for the Queenstown district.
"The awards are really for the architects, but the clubhouse will look pretty good on the CV," Paul Rodgers said yesterday.
The other finalists in the sports category are: 3W's Pavilion, Kensington Oval, Barbados; the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Centre; Birkerd Sports and Leisure Centre in Denmark; Mata do Cabo swimming pool in Portugal; Sports Hall Bale in Croatia; and the Lighthouse Sports and Events Arena in France.
