The Commercial Bay Retail Precinct by Warren and Mahoney in association with NH Architecture is undoubtedly one of the biggest projects to open in Auckland this year – both in square metreage and stature. It was honoured for its “dynamic and expressive interior” at this year’s Interior Awards with the Civic Award as well as the Supreme Award. 

The Supreme Award is the biggest award of the evening and carries with it a $6000 cash prize. 

Full jury citation:

Although eight years in the making, this interior feels contemporary and forward thinking. It takes into consideration the growing needs of a city from an urban planning and transport perspective, and it never loses sight of its retail heart. Commercial Bay Retail Precinct is successful on both a macro and a micro level, engaging the user on multiple levels and providing well-integrated elements of material, spatial and overall architectural surprise. Although informed by international best practice, it is undeniably of this place. It is an interior which combines retail laneways and food streets, grit and finesse, commerce and urbanism while delivering a sophisticated, urbane experience for all.

This highly successful project challenges the concept of the traditional mall by flipping it inside out and introducing a laneway-based environment and large glazed openings to the cityscape. The spaces are open, welcoming and lively, providing a network of connections through the urban block development. A restrained palette has been established and innovatively translated and layered in ways that provide texture, intrigue and privacy for its users. The result is a dynamic and expressive interior that serves as a cohesive and potent backdrop for its tenants, shoppers and pedestrians. This civic space sets a high bar for other city-makers around New Zealand who are seeking to influence their surrounds in a positive manner.

Watch the design team give their winning presentation to the judges here:

See the full list of winners from the 2020 Interior Awards here.

Purchase your copy of the latest issue of Architecture NZ magazine here for extended Awards coverage.