This year, the A+W NZ Dulux Awards were held online for the first time, via a free Zoom event on Saturday 15 August, celebrating 15 architects, designers and practices from across Aotearoa.

The event was opened by jury member Raukura Turei and her whānau, hosted by A+W NZ co-chairs Divya Purushotham and Lindley Naismith, and citations for all 15 finalists were read by the wider A+W NZ team. From those finalists, the following three winners were announced:

Wirihana Leadership Award 2020 Winner: Louise Wright of Assembly Architects

Jury citation: Louise is an absolute all-rounder and natural leader, both in and out of the architecture industry, with a strong advocacy for equality and work-life balance, and an active member in her wider whānau and community. At Assembly Architects, Louise involves herself in all stages of design and construction, and leads by example in communication and collaboration. She promotes an inclusive work environment, supports staff with flexible working arrangements and celebrates success.

Munro Diversity Award 2020 Winner: Jade Kake of Matakohe Architecture + Urbanism

Jury citation: Jade’s creative practice takes many forms and is committed to expanding and diversifying the architectural discipline. She is an architectural practitioner, a writer, a podcaster and an advocate for Māori professionals within the wider building industry. Jade is one of the strongest voices in a movement that knows Māori design principles can change Aotearoa for the better, not only in our housing but in our towns and cities too. Through her efforts, the discipline is becoming more diverse and more voices are being given space to participate.

Chrystall Excellence Award 2020 Winner: Christina Van Bohemen of Sills van Bohemen Architects

Jury citation: From May 2016 to May 2018, Christina served as president of the NZIA, only the second woman elected to the position in the organisation’s more than 100-year history. Christina was outstanding in this role, taking initiative, demonstrating leadership and representing the architectural profession in the public realm to the highest possible standard. Christina is phenomenally generous in giving of her time and her expertise to the practice and promotion of good architecture and urban design.

The A+W NZ Dulux Awards 2020 publication, designed again by Studio Catherine Griffiths, is available now. Everyone who registered to attend the online awards was emailed a free digital copy of the book and physical copies are available for purchase. To do so, follow the link at the top of the A+W NZ website for $30 per copy.

Awards sponsor Dulux

A+W NZ is a free organisation to join and it operates on volunteers and support in the form of donations and sponsorships. This is the second round of awards that Dulux has sponsored.

Awards jury

Lori Brown, Julia Gatley, Raukura Turei and Andrew Tu’inukuafe.

Awards team

Divya Purushotham, Lindley Naismith, Lynda Simmons, Kitty Fan, Ornela Priotti, Theja Jayalath, Wing Chan, Blagica Maneva, Natasha Baumgartner, Ysabelle Empiso, Vanessa Coxhead and the wider A+W NZ team.