Christchurch poo house wins top prize

A Christchurch sewerage station has the sweet smell of success after winning an architecture award for its "sensitive" design.

The concrete, tinted-glass and natural timber construction in Linwood, complete with a gold-painted diesel tank, won the award for Christchurch practice City Solutions at the 2008 Canterbury Architecture Awards last night.

Judges singled out the station as a "surprisingly effective, dramatic and sensitive" design that features open public space and seating moulded around the buildings.

Judging convener Richard Hayman said he was surprised by the design.

"We could not believe it when we visited. You expect this sort of facility to be fenced off, but the public can walk right around it and enjoy it," he said.

"It is totally within a residential area and the architect has worked closely with the engineers to create a building which is almost a sculpture or public art."

The awards are run by the New Zealand Institute of Architects Incorporated and honour well-designed homes, offices and public buildings in Canterbury.

The Selwyn District Council's new building in Rolleston, designed by Athfield Architects, the conversion of a heritage building in Woolston into restaurant and smokehouse Holy Smoke, by David Brocherie Architect, and a bach in Port Levy designed by Chaplin Crooks Architects, also won awards.

A Fendalton home by Athfield Architects won a residential award and features a deck that mechanically slides away at the touch of a button to reveal a swimming pool.

- © Fairfax NZ News