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A media couple's island home and an artist's bush residence have won Institute of Architects awards.
A new Waiheke Island house for TVNZ reporter John Hudson and public relations executive Lauren Young was highly praised for its skilful design.
And an artist's residence alongside painter Colin McCahon's residence in Titirangi was lauded for its excellence.
The Hudson/Young house in Onetangi, designed by Cook Sargisson Tarrant and Pirie, won a prize in the residential category.
"Many versions of this glassy box house plan exist and we therefore seek exceptional qualities to re-invent the familiar and canonical type," said the judges.
"Meticulous attention to detail, seductive material choices and a commitment to craft mark out this particular case. An engaging layering of the outer skin allows the owners to create particular conditions and relations with the sea and sky high up on their hillside. An external courtyard counterpoints this openness with enclosed and solid walls to anchor the composition."
The Titirangi house, designed by Pete Bossley Architects, won a community and cultural award.
"Faced with a site covered in untouchable kauri forest and the need to accommodate an existing building of almost legendary status, the architect does well to dodge both here. The result is a light and playful structure weaving through the tree trunks and floating above the original McCahon house like a thought made real.
"Exhilaratingly open to the trees and formed from a palette of bright modern materials knowingly punctuated by primary yellow and red, this house and studio are a strong and urbane intervention into the dark Titirangi bush."
