KEY POINTS:
Education buildings scooped a string of honours last night when the Institute of Architects announced award winners for the northern area.
The institute made 27 awards - many for houses - but refurbishments and new developments in the education sector were prominent features of this year's winners.
Auckland University's extended and refurbished School of Engineering library and student centre won for an upgrade that met high standards.
"The tough and withdrawn 1969 brutalist engineering school library by KRTA has undergone a glassy makeover that satisfies the university's desire for an open face without compromising the building's originally didactic expression," said the judging panel, headed by architect Richard Naish.
The work by Ashton Mitchell Architects also won a Resene colour award and was praised for careful restraint and for respecting original structures.
"The architects have carefully retained the crucial structural language of the building while expanding facilities and further exposed new vertical circulation in the same spirit to animate the street facade," the judges said.
"Correspondingly, natural light, footpath bustle and the seasonal charm of the Symonds St plane trees now invigorate the formerly introverted interiors."
The music and drama building of Pinehurst School in Albany won for resolving the problem of providing value on a modest budget.
The Jasmax consultancy was praised for the building's exuberance and for displaying equal measures of creativity and pragmatism.
"A single pitch roof creates a commanding presence at the entry to the school, and a series of punctuated, coloured glass windows bring levity and character to simple spaces," the judges found.
Opus Architecture won an award for a new classroom and lecture theatre at Northtec in Whangarei.
"The first stage of a larger scheme, this building injects some much-needed vibrancy into an otherwise blank environment," the judges said. "The crafted basket weave concrete wall makes a powerful statement of cultural identity as it leads into the dynamic entry hall.
"A strong conceptual idea has been clearly articulated in this sculptural form, and despite the all-too-familiar budgetary pruning, the architects have succeeded in delivering a valuable addition to the campus."
Warren and Mahoney won an award for a new Manurewa state school.
"Alfriston College has stepped up to the mark by developing a cluster of buildings that embody passive sustainable-design principles and information communication technology on a par with tertiary and corporate models.
"The cohesion and scale of the school sits well in its tidy new suburb. The two-storied classroom and administration buildings encircle a sheltered, well-considered landscaped courtyard, which unites the composition.
"Generous in-between, break-out and access areas punctuate the lineal forms and minimise the hazards of institutional bulk.
"Open, light classrooms with flexible operable walls and communication technology allow for spatial adaptability, a key to the changeable needs of the learning community."
The visiting jury saw students "thriving" in the environment.
