The Resene Total Colour Awards winners were announced at a colourful evening as part of Auckland Design Week. The award winners exemplify the role colour plays in accentuating design and how it can uplift our spaces inside and out.

The Resene Total Colour Awards marked two significant milestones, the first being the 15th year of the awards and the second celebrating the highest number of entries ever.

The judging panel included Sylvia Sandford (colour expert), John Walsh (previous editor of Architecture NZ, architectural writer) and Laura Lynn Johnston (editor of BlackWhite magazine, and previous editor of Habitat magazine).

Resene Total Colour Master Nightingale Award & Resene Total Colour Commercial Exterior Award

The Resene Total Colour Master Nightingale Award is named after the Nightingale family who founded and still runs Resene today, and recognises excellence in colour and paint use. The Awards went to: Chelsea Sugar Head Office Exterior Colour Scheme by Eleanor Eugster and Alison Gwerder, Beca Ltd.

The judges said: Sugar and spice and all things nice, this project speaks in colour. A perfect example of the transformational power of paint and colour, the colour palette does the heavy lifting to take a once unassuming structure and turning it into an eye-catching feature. Each colour in the palette cleverly plays off one another, contrasting and accentuating the next. It’s the icing on the cake.

Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Public + Retail Space Award & Resene Total Colour Commercial Exterior Colour Maestro Award

Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli by Annabel Berry, Annabel Berry Creative Co

The jury said: Irresistibly charming, who wouldn’t want to go into a café that looks like this? The fun, playful and nostalgic colour palette draws you in with a sense of anticipation about what lies within. It touches on all the best elements of what makes retro designs charming, neatly packaged into a colourful wrapping that puts a refreshing spin on vintage-inspired hues. An exemplary showcase of the power of colour has turned an overlooked building into a must-visit local landmark.

Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Public + Retail Space Colour Maestro Award

Soda by CTRL Space

The judges said: Warm and calming colours come together in this project to build an atmosphere of respite and relaxation for its clientele. The thoughtful application of the colour palette means the colour seems to seamlessly and gracefully flow over every surface, achieving an inviting aesthetic that carefully balances vibrancy with tranquillity. Playing to the senses, it’s an alluring use of colour that manages to feel effortless through its thoughtful and considered approach.

Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Office Coworking Award

WOTSO Takapuna Internal Stairwell by Paul Bradley, Pauly B

The judges said: An adventure in colour, brimming with the anticipation of not knowing what new surprise awaits just around the corner. This exuberant and unexpected use of colour acts as a free-flowing organic design juxtaposed against the formal structure of the stairs. It fills the space with enthusiasm and optimism. Using a wide palette of hues from dark to light and glimmering touches of metallic, it’s fast become a favourite feature.

Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Office Coworking Colour Maestro Award

The Formery by CTRL Space

The Judges said: Infused with a sophisticated air of ‘office space meets corporate club’, this project cleverly transforms a workplace into something that feels more like hospitality space. The colours and sheen levels have been carefully selected to play with the lighting and set the mood. The scheme is beautifully harmonious and well-grounded as a means of supporting those engaged in mutually rewarding business discussions. This palette means business.

Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Office Company Award

TR Group – New Commercial Building by ArchInt

The judges said: When working with a corporate colour palette, it takes a certain adeptness to apply those colours to best serve their setting. This project does this brilliantly, using the client’s daring hero hue for powerful accenting supported by a monochromatic base. It’s an immersive branding experience which operates at a commercial level while still bringing out the little kid in all of us. It’s bold, bright and brilliant.

Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Office Company Colour Maestro Award

Endoscopy on Clarence Medical Centre by Ces Scott, Sandra Torres and Thomas Brock, APG Architects

The judges said: There is a delightful sense of continuity which extends from the public spaces to the private workspaces in this project. Bringing together a beautiful use of textures and variations of paint colours, it exudes an undeniably soothing calmness that avoids the common obstacle of feeling too clinical. The palette is beautifully balanced with timeless tones that feel supportive and nurturing of the space and its users, radiating comfort and care wrapped up in colour.

Resene Total Colour Education Award

St Hilda’s Chapel & Whitby Redevelopment by Cameron Grindlay, Dwelling Architectural Design

The judges said: Colour is a powerful tool when wielded well — and this project certainly wields it with expertise, using a tasteful colour palette to draw attention to select architectural elements and to set the scene. Perched high on the hilltop, the blue reaches out to the sky, enlivening the building and giving it presence. It’s strong, purposeful and confident.

Resene Total Colour Education Colour Maestro Award

Northcote Intermediate School by Clive Chapman and Iliya Kolesnikov, Pacific Environments NZ Ltd

The Judges said: Inspiring students to reach their potential is a cornerstone of education and this colour palette embraces this vision wholeheartedly. Powerful colour choices rise on the vertical, visually reinforcing the strength of the architecture. The colours are ever-so-carefully arranged with a rhythm that plays off the texture and key architectural features, adding energy without overwhelming and infusing it with character.

Resene Total Colour Education Colour Maestro Award

The Village PreSchool by Carter Williamson Architects

The judges said: An exquisite project, this beautiful ethereal palette is totally complementary to the architecture. It feels calm and serene, ready to be injected with the bustling energy of small children. While it may at first glance appear neutral, it cleverly weaves together a complex palette of light coloured hues combined with neutrals to soften the structure. This dreamy colour blend is easy to fall in love with.

Resene Total Colour Residential Exterior Award

Gateways Apartments Replacement Windshields by John Bannatyne, DLA Architects

The judges said: The joyful colour selections ingeniously revitalise this prominent building, infusing it with life, energy and positivity through the thoughtfully chosen and ever-so-carefully placed colour palette. It has been transformed into a friendly and visually engaging landmark. The clever installation technique ensures both aesthetic appeal and sustainable maintenance, setting a benchmark for modern architectural rejuvenation. A textbook example of how a little colour can go a long way.

Resene Total Colour Residential Exterior Colour Maestro Award

Crinkle Cut by Liz Tjahjana, Aaron Paterson and Steven Lloyd, Pac Studio Ltd. and Steven Lloyd Architecture

The judges said: An unexpected soft pink lifts this home out of the ordinary. Surrounded by bush, it would have been ever so easy to paint this house all white, yet the subtle touch of colour brings so much more. It’s instantly soothing, creating a relaxed retreat to enjoy as a respite from the busy city. Cleverly combined with crisp white, the pairing helps the eye read the slipper pink hue and appreciate its subtle beauty. A whisper of colour that speaks volumes.

Resene Total Colour Residential Interior Award

Iconic Wellington Apartment by Hannah Ferens and Joneen Rodgers, Hello Home Interiors

The judges said: Colour makes this space, celebrating the essence of mid-century modern design with a well-balanced and vibrant colour palette that adds joy and interest without overwhelming the senses. Every detail harmoniously supports the palette. The curated application of colour on the open shelving transforms groupings of personal treasures into museum-worthy displays. Tailormade for the client, this home is a haven.

Resene Total Colour Residential Interior Colour Maestro Award

Shades of Hydrangea by Marlene Hudson, Marlene Hudson Design

Colour transforms this house into a welcoming family home by creating an open, light-filled space complemented by beautifully contrasting features. There is a strong connection between the interior and the surrounding environment as if elements of the outdoors have been invited inside. Thoughtful planning has ensured it is both functional and inviting, perfectly suited for a busy life. Colour has helped make this house an easy-to-live-in home.

Resene Total Colour Neutrals Award

The Jim Wakefield Pavilion by Athfield Architects

The jury said: When it comes to the traditions of colours associated with games, you can’t go far past the tradition of white in cricket. Nestled in park land that moves through the colours of the seasons, this project has embraced the essence of cricket whites. This understated neutral palette stands out amongst the natural tones of the park and allows the continuity of the sweeping forms to be the hero. In a landscape of colour, white becomes an accent.

Resene Total Colour Neutrals Colour Maestro Award

Arney Road Residence by Abri Architects

The jury said: So often homes are painted all white, but this home brings a little something extra to the palette. Enhanced with a refined neutral palette of grey, the classic cloudy colours ensure that this home holds its own even on the brightest of summer days. Combined with a range of textured surfaces, the colour palette provides just the right touch of variation. Neutrality highlights this home’s architecture beautifully.

Resene Total Colour Heritage Award

Antrim House Upgrade, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

The judges said: With such a high-profile building to decorate, there is always the pressure of expectation. This project has risen to this challenge with much thought into not only which colours will be used but also where they will be used to best flatter the many stunning architectural details. It leads by example, showcasing how taking the time to respect and celebrate the past through refurbishment projects will ensure our heritage buildings remain a treasured part of our architecture into the future.

Resene Total Colour Heritage Colour Maestro Award

Palmerston North Crematorium, Chapple Architecture, Susie Elms

The jury said: With a serene and dignified approach, this colour palette honours the building’s iconic architecture. The uplifting treatment of the arches lifts the spirits, while the restrained interior colour palette provides a calm and soothing backdrop, allowing the architectural elements to shine. As a building that is used in challenging times, it’s tranquil and reassuring in all the right ways.

Resene Total Colour Installation - Experiential – Product Award

Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre, Motat, Jessica Gommers and Ruby Oliver

The jury said: Wow! This transformational treasure trove of colour palettes draws your eye to each area of the space. The colour is cleverly used to designate zones of activity, to bring human scale to what could have seemed like a cavernous space and offer a collection of themed areas to explore. The palette is extensive yet is so well integrated that the colours both coordinate and contrast. Colour makes this space come alive.

Resene Total Colour Installation - Experiential – Product Colour Maestro Award

Always Song in the Water exhibition by The Letter Q Ltd and New Zealand Maritime Museum

The jury said: Like ripples of water, this exhibition’s colour palette feels like you’re passing through layers of ocean. Colour is an undeniable hero, immersing each visitor into the exhibition and encouraging them to explore more and linger that little bit longer to truly take in all the curated treasures. Playful and whimsical as it transitions from space to space, the flow of colour is faultless.

Resene Total Colour Landscape Award

Femme-ly Velues

The jury said: Picking a bold palette of colours that works well together is one achievement; weaving those same colours together into a giant folly is an even greater one. This ambitious project catches the eye with its novel colour combination and structure. Towering above the land, the open weave gives the sense that the colours are playing with their surroundings. It’s a hand-crafting of hues taken to a whole new level.

Resene Total Colour Landscape Colour Maestro Award

Pukekawa/Auckland Domain - refurbish band rotunda by Nina Quintana and Richard Bland, Auckland Council

The judges said: There’s something delightful about when old is made new and it’s even more satisfying when bland becomes beautiful. The complementary palette feels at one with its environment yet refined and elevated. The judicious use of colour highlights the architectural detailing while the repetitive placement of colour helps each hue feel like it truly belongs. Colour has not just refreshed this rotunda, it’s revived it from top to bottom.

Resene Total Colour Bright Spot Award

Tidal Shift by Stephanie Cartledge

The judges said: With a fusion of colour and community, this work energises its surroundings with a vibrant palette and thoughtful symbolism inspired by the local environment. Boldly painted graphic elements broadcast a universally understandable message and invite passersby to pause, reflect and connect. It’s a striking example of how colour and design can inspire and engage us all.

Resene Total Colour Rising Star Award

A Colourful, Feminist Vision for Community by Briar Newman

The judges said: This project boldly reimagines space through a feminist lens, using a dynamic pink palette with supplementary hues to empower and nurture. By thoughtfully manipulating colour, the design transforms the area into a supportive haven, celebrating life and femininity. The skilful integration of colour creates a harmonious environment that invites women to confidently claim their space. This colour palette exudes courage and tenacity.

Resene Total Colour Rising Star Colour Maestro Award

RE: indigenise, vitalise, generate, vegetate, juvenate by Javani Govender

The judges said: Masterfully integrating health and community, this project emanates warmth and a sense of grounding that resonates with the land. In a world searching for well-being and mindfulness, the colour palette deftly achieves both. Drawing inspiration from traditional whare blended with subtle Japanese influences, the concept connects to the environment to evoke an inviting space that welcomes each and everyone. A colour palette for all to enjoy.

Resene Total Colour Rising Star Colour Maestro Award

Summit Spas by Omea Hall

The judges said: The epitome of alpine sophistication, this project blends seamlessly with the strength of its surrounding mountaintops while maintaining a lovely lightness. There’s a perfect fit between the breathtaking design and the carefully chosen colour palette. The meticulous attention to specification of this ambitious project reflects a level of care associated with professionals. It’s a stunningly beautiful space, perfect for relaxation.

Winner - Lifetime Achievement

Peter Beaumont, TEAM Architects Wellington

The judges said: Peter has an innate ability to not only use colour in a practical way that supports the architecture, defines spaces and guides movement intuitively, but also to delight those who interact with and admire his projects from near and far. It’s a delicate balancing act to select colours that are both fitting and thoughtful yet expresse and sensory — and it’s a skill Peter has well mastered.

Peter’s colour selections run the gamut of neutrals through to pastels and brights, with each colour carefully considered to best suit the needs of each project. No two projects are alike.
Peter’s passion for colour is most evident in the education sector with many schools and students of all ages benefitting from his thoughtful work and delightful and novel colour selections. Peter has also generously shared his knowledge over many years as a lecturer, inspiring those that dream to follow his architectural path.

After a successful career spanning more than four decades, which has seen him win multiple colour awards, Peter has developed a deep understanding of the subtle ways colour benefits and conditions how people interact with and use space. One of his lasting legacies is passing on this prowess, as well as his passion, knowledge, bravery and confidence in colour to countless colleagues and architectural graduates.

This Resene Lifetime Achievement in Colour award celebrates Peter’s tenacity, skill and flair as an architect who isn’t afraid to experiment with colour.