Designs for today's Taranaki

BY ROB MAETZIG

Projects ranging from Port Taranaki's new multimillion- dollar office building to a slick inner-city New Plymouth "bloke's pad" have been recognised in the regional section of this year's national architecture awards.

Now the projects are in line for national honours, to be announced early next year.

The awards, organised by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, are in three tiers. Winners progress from regional voting to national recognition and on to the ultimate accolade, the New Zealand Architecture Medal.

There are eight regions. Taranaki is part of an area that also encompasses Wanganui and Manawatu.

The awards are open to all NZIA practices, and projects can be entered into a total of 10 categories - public, residential housing, residential multiple housing, commercial, urban design, interior, heritage, small project, sustainability, and enduring architecture.

Two Taranaki projects have won honours in the commercial architecture category.

The new Port Taranaki Centre overlooking Ngamotu Beach, designed by New Plymouth's Architects Ian Pritchard, is praised as an innovative well- executed and elegant building that encompasses green principles.

"In the architect's own words, internally the juxtaposition of dense and raw precast concrete with the more ephemeral quality of New Zealand silver beech provides a delicate touch that is further enhanced with generous use of frameless glass," say the judges.

The TSB Cancer Support Centre on Lorna St, New Plymouth, designed by Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Brebner Team Architecture, is honoured for being a "happy" building.

"As well as showing consideration for the needs of its users, this building demonstrates good energy-efficient design principles to provide a warm, friendly environment." It also received a colour award for its fun use of colour that appeals to all ages.

In the internal architecture award category, Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Brebner Team Architecture are honoured for alterations to a New Plymouth house.

"This residential project is tiny but significant. It not only alters the perception of what an architect can do for a client, but also the client's perception of their existing home."

Several Taranaki projects are honoured in the residential architecture category.

Wellington architects Void Architecture Research Urbanism's alteration of a Fitzroy bungalow had revitalised it into a much-loved family home.

"The home feels lived in with its eclectic mix of furniture, yet flexible enough to meet the changing needs of the family."

Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Brebner Team Architecture is awarded for its design of an innovative New Plymouth house.

"It incorporates a simple palette of materials, from robust blockwork and concrete to fine cedar slatted screens. It is a well- executed living pavilion that responds to the client's lifestyle."

Architects Ian Pritchard are praised for the design of a central New Plymouth apartment, particularly the ways an interesting and unusual site and building had been put to clever use.

"Behind an ordinary old facade the architect has skilfully created a slick inner-city bloke's pad, in doing so exceeding the client's expectations."

The company is also honoured for the design of a coastal Taranaki house, which the judges say sits harmoniously in its rugged coastal environment. providing its owners with a high level of comfort and security.

"Simple materials and forms are rendered honestly to provide a timeless quality. Good passive solar design adds to the value of this warm, classic house."

Saunders Architects Ltd, New Plymouth, gets an award for the design of a bach at Waitara.

"The client's request for a modest Kiwi bach for family holidays has been fulfilled," the judges say, adding that the bach sits comfortably with its older neighbours yet reflects today's holiday needs.

One other Taranaki project to be honoured in this year's awards is a new footbridge leading to New Plymouth's coastal walkway. It's featured in the front of today's Taranaki Daily News.

- © Fairfax NZ News