Architects' work celebrated

A leading architect says there has been a “coming of age” in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty with local practices now making their mark to a greater degree than in previous years.

Hamilton Boys High School Whare Ako by Paua Architects. Photo: Aaron Radford

Pat de Pont from SGA Strachan Group Architects in Auckland was the jury convenor for the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Local Awards spanning a range of projects.

Ten of the 26 were from the Waikato – seven from Hamilton, two in Raglan and one in Cambridge.

“It’s also been great to see a range of projects this year that address community, liveability, sustainability and affordability.”

The Te Ara Pekapeka bridge in Hamilton by Edwards White Architects and BBO in association won a Planning and Urban Design award for managing a significant infrastructure project with respectful sensitivity for cultural and ecological imperatives.

Judges noted the resulting landmark as an impressive addition to the landscape of Kirikiriroa, weaving historical, cultural and physical connections to the Waikato River.

The Cartwright residence in Hamilton designed by Gleeson Architects in 1975 received an Enduring Architecture award while Paua Architects of Hamilton won in the Education category for the whare at Hamilton Boys’ High School. The Whare Ako is a central space for learning, cultural activities, and community engagement. It is a multi-use space that embodies inclusivity and as a hub for te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and ahurea Māori.

Edward White Architects of Hamilton won an award for their design of the Hamilton Gardens Visitor Precinct.

The winners received their awards at an event at SkyCity Hamilton.

Waikato winners by category:

Commercial Architecture – Endoscopy on Clarence by APG Architects (Hamilton); Education – Hamilton Boys’ High School Whare Ako by Paua Architects (Hamilton); Housing – Riverpoint by Edwards White Architects (Hamilton), Passive Modern by Edwards White Architects (Cambridge) and Te Wharewakaroa by Mercer and Mercer Architects (Raglan); Interior Architecture – Fonterra – Southbloc fitout by Chow:Hill Architects and Designwell in association (Hamilton); Planning and Urban Design – Te Ara Pekapeka by Edwards White Architects and BBO in association (Hamilton), Public Architecture – Hamilton Gardens Visitor Precinct by Edwards White Architects (Hamilton); Small Project Architecture – Pūriri Hideaway by Woven Architects (Raglan); Enduring Architecture – Cartwright Residence (1975) by Gleeson Architects (Hamilton).