28 Oct 2023

Architectural Design awards winners announced: 'This project does the hard mahi'

6:19 am on 28 October 2023
Te Uru Terraces has won the Supreme ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award.

Te Uru Terraces has won the Supreme ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award. Photo: Supplied / Architectural Designers New Zealand

The designers of an intermediate school and a medium density housing development will share this year's top architecture award.

It's the first time Architectural Designers New Zealand has given the Supreme ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award to two projects at once.

"More often than not, one project stands out to win the supreme title," ADNZ chief executive Keryn Davis said.

"2023 proved to be an exceptional year with two equally deserving projects capturing the eye of the judges for two very different reasons."

Darryl Church was given the Supreme award for his work on Heretaunga Intermediate School in Hastings, where he designed the school's technology block.

Heretaunga Intermediate has won the Supreme ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award.

Heretaunga Intermediate has won the Supreme ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award. Photo: Supplied / Architectural Designers New Zealand

Davis said Church "balanced critical community needs and functions, while also producing a beacon project that stands for the fun of coming together to learn".

Church, who manages DCA Architects of Transformation, also won the National Award for Commercial Architecture.

Heretaunga Intermediate has won the Supreme ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award.

Heretaunga Intermediate has won the Supreme ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Award. Photo: Supplied / Architectural Designers New Zealand

His fellow co-winner, Madushin Amaraekera of Construkt Architects, was awarded for his work on Te Uru Walk-up Terraces in Hobsonville, Auckland.

Judges said the multi-unit development represented the way forward for future medium density projects.

"These buildings were not aimed at the expensive end of the market, but instead reached the affordable limits that Tāmaki Makaurau so desperately needs to continue to flourish," Davis said.

"This project does the hard mahi and is deserving of the highest praise."

Amaraekera was also given the National Award for Multi-Unit Housing.