Auckland's most stylish new buildings have been announced and a smart empty mausoleum is the most unusual winner in the big lineup.
Apartments, houses, office blocks, a library and other public buildings are on the list of the Institute of Architects' Auckland branch winners, announced last night at the Onehunga Heliport.
The biggest surprise in the top 48 buildings was an anonymous client's fancy new burial chamber in the Waikumete Cemetery.
Image 1 of 14: Brothers Brewery & Juke Joint BBQ by Metropolitan Architecture Studio. Awarded for Commercial Architecture.
Even more unusually, the owner appears to be still very much alive and able to celebrate his architectural win.
"For a man to engage an architect to think about how he may lie in eternity, before death has knocked for him, is a tribute to that architect," said the citation from the judging panel led by Michael O'Sullivan of Bull O'Sullivan.
The European-style structure, topped by a circular dome, has decorated exterior panels, slot openings in the ceiling, a grill security gate and wood ceiling. It won in the small project architecture category and was designed by Architect Associates.
The architects of Te Pataka Korero o Te Hau Kapua Devonport Library reportedly won over many critics with their design. Photo / Supplied
Mr O'Sullivan said the jury was impressed by the two most unusual projects amongst the winners: the mausoleum and an installation designed by Warren and Mahoney and using artwork by Max Gimblett to raise funds for the preservation of St David's Church at Khyber Pass in Grafton.
"These surprising projects show that architecture ... retains its capacity to delight," Mr O'Sullivan said.
Te Pataka Korero o Te Hau Kapua Devonport Library by Athfield Architects was described as "a controversial project on a wonderful site [which] ... won over many critics with its open, accessible planning, connection to street and park and low-key impact."
Altera and Ilico, two big new Stonefields apartment blocks, both by Warren and Mahoney, won the multi-unit category. Ellerslie's Central Park One by Architectus and Kingsland's Brothers Brewery & Juke Joint BBQ by Metropolitan Architecture Studio won the commercial category. Remuera's Lush family home by John Goldwater Architect won the enduring architecture category and Newton's The Orange by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects with Dave Pearson Architects won the heritage category.
All the winners are now eligible for national architecture awards, to be announced in November.
