The use of new earthquake-resistant technology, as well as shared green space, also played a key role in securing the contract to build the CBD's newest housing development.
Anselmi Attiani's main premise was to create a medium-rise urban village that encourages residents not only to make it their permanent home but to "embrace the idea of forging a cohesive and family-like community".
"This is a well-considered and mature scheme that builds on a vernacular of timber dwellings in the area," McCloud said.
"It imports some of the more progressive international ideas in public realm design."
The finalists were given $20,000 to develop their concepts, with the winning design being built on the former Charlie B's Backpackers site on the corner of Gloucester and Madras streets, opposite Latimer Square.
Work on the privately-led development is expected to start within a year, with properties expected to sell for $300,000 - $900,000.
The competition was a collaborative partnership between the Christchurch City Council, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) and Ngai Tahu.
Judging panel chairman, architect Stuart Gardyne said there was a "beauty and maturity" about the scheme.
"Space is well defined and thoughtful and there is a balance and clarity as to what is private and what is communal," he said.
"It is extremely well done and any city would benefit from having a scheme as desirable as this in place."
Mayor-Elect Lianne Dalziel said the competition had energised thinking around central city residential construction.
"Christchurch will be setting the standard for high quality modern inner city living."
The Government wants more than 20,000 people living in the rebuilt central city, which Prime Minister John Key and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee have said they hoped would be "one of the best small cities in the world".
