KEY POINTS:
Kiwi Income Property Trust's Sylvia Park shopping centre at Mt Wellington won two architectural awards last night for challenging the big-box mall formula.
The Institute of Architects praised the $300 million-plus development by Auckland firm Jasmax and NH Architecture of Melbourne. "What could have become a vast monolithic collection of building blocks is instead a richly textured and vibrant urban environment," said the judging panel headed by Richard Naish of RTA studio.
"The architects have succeeded in achieving a strong sense of local identity in a previously unloved-looking area. The layering of local geological, geographical and architectural typologies has broken down the scale of the buildings and made a highly navigable and lively urban centre. The commitment to landscaping and enhancement of the outdoor space is commended," they said.
The shopping centre also won a second award, sponsored by Resene, for use of colour. "Colour has been used throughout this project as an integrated design element to successfully create a strong sense of vibrancy and festivity to both the internal and exterior urban space," the judges said.
Clark Brown Architects won an award for a large apartment/hotel block, The Quadrant. The building at 10 Waterloo Quadrant was developed on a narrow site between the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Connaught high-rise apartment block and its arrival caused an outcry from neighbouring apartment residents.
Developer Nigel McKenna of Melview Developments built The Quadrant, first known as The Grand, in the face of strong opposition from Connaught residents.
The judges were still impressed. "This project uses an internal courtyard to articulate two buildings on the site. Existing street scale on Eden Crescent is acknowledged by the five storey gatehouse and a deliberate threshold, via ramp and courtyard, is evoked to deliver us to the poetically conceived 18-storey citadel tower behind.
"Delightful and conceptually engaged, this rethinking of high-rise fabric is a welcome presence on the city's skyline," the judges found.
Winners
* Sylvia Park shopping centre: Commercial and Industrial award, Resene Colour award.
* The Quadrant hotel and apartments: Hospitality and Tourism award.
