The 2011 Nelson Marlborough Architecture Awards were announced on 05 October at an event in Nelson’s award-winning NMIT Arts and Media Building, designed by Irving Smith Jack Architects. Here is an image gallery of the winning projects along with judges citations.

Category: Residential Architecture, Houses
Bisley House Alterations, Nelson
NZIA Practice - Redbox Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
The Architect has carried out very skilful alterations and additions to a modest mid-twentieth century house. The resulting thoughtfully planned spaces provide an excellent setting for the owners’ lifestyle and for their artworks. Views over the site to the bay are subtly captured, and enhanced through careful consideration of the proportions of windows and spaces. Everywhere there is evidence of thoughtful architectural detailing. 

Mountain Range House
NZIA Practice - Irving Smith Jack Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
Exuberant yet carefully developed, this ‘enclosed verandah’ satisfies the clients’ brief for a space capable of accommodating large numbers while retaining the intimacy and comfort required for everyday living. Together, the material selection, simple plan layout and furnishings produce a memorable space. A strong feature is the undulating timber clad ceiling which floats above the interior. While detailing and form are less convincing on the exterior, the roof structure has created a poetic spatial play internally, helping to define areas of the large open plan space.

West Coast Bach
NZIA Practice - C Nott Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
The building settles perfectly on its site, providing breathtaking views of the bush and sea. Dynamic in its form and response to the site and wider setting, the bach is purposely understated in materials, and simply constructed with no affectation or stylistic pretensions. It is clear that the Architect has found harmony with the clients and their interests. The essence of ‘retreat’, this is a bach to relax into and feel at one with, all the while protected against the rugged West Coast environment.

Category: Interior Architecture
Nelson City Council Customer Services Centre
NZIA Practice - Jerram Tocker Barron Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
The Architect has achieved an inspired transformation of what were awkward and dark public spaces. The curved concrete structure of the existing building has been exposed and used to inform the interior, continuing the circular geometry throughout the design as a playful motif. A combination of natural and artificial light creates a bright and open public space that is a pleasure to move through. The architectural detailing, choice of materials and colours are carefully considered. Externally, there is a relatively seamless transition between the existing building and the alterations.

Category: Public Architecture
NMIT Arts and Media Building
NZIA Practice - Irving Smith Jack Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
The building is groundbreaking in terms of its timber technology. The innovative timber structure is clearly visible in the building, as are all of the associated structural elements. The building has a clear plan and cross section and the Architect has pursued a rigorous coding of design elements which helps the user to understand the layout as well as the building structure. Natural light is beautifully handled in the project, and the teaching spaces are delightful yet practical and hard-wearing, with views and connections to the city and neighbourhood. The building is highly compatible with its context.

Picton Emergency Operations Centre
NZIA Practice - Matz Architects
Judges Citation:
This complex housing the Picton and Marlborough Sounds command centre for both the Coast Guard and the St John Ambulance Service comprises two buildings sited in parallel and joined by a central connection. Externally, the complex looks crisp and the functional areas within are clearly apparent, and the architectural development of the buildings is straightforward and direct. The Architect has met all the requirements of the two parties elegantly and efficiently, and the original clarity of the concept design is evident in the building’s realisation.

Category: Sustainable Architecture
NMIT Arts and Media Building
NZIA Practice - Irving Smith Jack Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
The Architects’ absolute commitment to sustainability is evident in this project. Where possible, timber and materials have been sought locally, and use of timber has been designed in such a way that minimal treatment was required. Simple systems, which inform the design of the whole building, have been employed for passive ventilation, heating and shading. There has been an innovative response and approach to the planning and brief so that the spaces are flexible and can be used in different ways.

Trafalgar Park - Stage 1 Upgrade
NZIA Practice - Irving Smith Jack Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
This project demonstrates a commitment to civic sustainability, through the adaptive re-use of existing structures and the development of attractive urban spaces and landscaping which relate to the new architecture. The creation of a new green park area at the Maitai entry, which links Trafalgar Park to the city by other pedestrian routes, is especially commendable.

West Coast Bach
NZIA Practice - C Nott Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
The Architect has used simple construction methods and has embraced environmental principles to reduce the impact of the house in its remote setting. Robust materials, including salvaged timber, suggest the area’s history and evoke a sense of permanence. The bach has a small footprint but with its clever design and links and interactions with its powerful site, it seems larger than the sum of its constructed spaces.

Category: Heritage
Theatre Royal
NZIA Practice - Palmer & Palmer Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
The Architect has achieved a virtually seamless integration of the original timber theatre auditorium with a completely new stage and back-of-house facilities. The attention to the historic detailing and design of this listed 1870s building is commendable, as is the successful incorporation of modern mechanical services, achieved without compromising the appearance and original atmosphere of the theatre. The verandah addition to the street frontage invests the building with a strong and attractive urban presence, in addition to forming a useful balcony area on the upper level.

Category: Planning and Urban Design
Trafalgar Park - Stage 1 Upgrade
NZIA Practice - Irving Smith Jack Architects Ltd
Judges Citation:
Working to a tight budget, the Architect has produced a significant and highly functional new boundary ‘zone’ for Trafalgar Park. The simple palette of low-maintenance materials includes naturally weathering timber, natural concrete and galvanised steel. The overall design and each of the key elements are robust and carefully detailed. The public entrance spaces at each of the park’s gates are well scaled, inviting and appealing. Successful links between the architecture and the landscape elements have created a unified edge to the park, connecting it with the city.
 

2011 Local Architecture Award winners in other regions can be found here: Auckland Architecture Awards; Canterbury Architecture Awards; Waikato Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards; Wellington Architecture Awards; Western Architecture Awards; Gisborne Hawkes Bay Architecture Awards.