Location, location sets the style for designers

A new style of Auckland architecture tailormade to the city is emerging, says a design expert.

The new look takes advantage of Auckland's temperate climate and merges interiors with exteriors.

Architect Lindy Leuschke, convenor of judges for this year's Institute of Architects awards, said a new style of "casual elegance" in housing design was capitalising on Aucklanders' love of the outdoors.

Bigger budgets, more building work and more careful planning had also resulted in an improvement in design quality.

"The building boom has obviously brought with it a higher level of design funding because this year we are seeing more innovation and rather than a stock-type approach, a level of independent thought and carefully crafted design," she said.

A new holiday house at Omaha beach designed by architect Pete Bossley illustrated the point, she said.

The three-bedroom house was one of 32 projects from the Auckland region to win awards yesterday.

The judges said it "provoked as much as it relaxed".

A Remuera house designed by Strachan Group Architects won for its double-volume spaces, galleries and sliding walls which the judges said evoked a sense of spaciousness

A new Catholic school, Sancta Maria College at Botany Downs, won an award for Jasmax for its use of "robust materials and deft detailing" to result in a building that perfectly suited the end use.

Jasmax won another award for a house in Victoria Ave, Remuera, which was judged to be "elegantly crafted" and with a well-organised hierarchy of spaces.

Kristin School's new library and senior study centre won Warren & Mahoney an award for a building which "upholds a stimulating composition and material quality adding to the exploration of new ideas".

Godward Guthrie Architecture's house at Bucklands Beach won for taking advantage of stunning views while protecting the owners' privacy.