At a Gala dinner on 20 May, The Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre scooped New Zealand architecture’s most coveted prize - The New Zealand Architecture Medal.

Designed by Christopher Kelly from Architecture Workshop, the complex, curving form was a result of thl, Ruapuha-Uekaha Hapu Trust, Department of Conservation and the architect working closely together. The new Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre was designed to reflect the curve in the Waitomo River and the contours of the land.The woven-like roof and rough macrocarpa building were also recognised in the 2010 Urbis Design Annual as Best Building.

The building is a modern insertion in the landscape, that reflects the local culture using sustainable but durable materials. The structure showcases the collaboration between a number of New Zealand building and componentary suppliers and uses advanced digital technology in the construction process. The complex project with a long gestation period, also shows that iconic and important architecture is a process and can’t be rushed.

The New Zealand Architecture Medal follows on from a string of awards the Visitor Centre has won recently at the NZ Wood Timber Design Awards. These included Commercial Architectural Excellence, Commercial Engineering Excellence and the Clever Wood Solution Award.

“The Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre was a clear medal winner, raising the bar for New Zealand architecture,” says NZIA Chief Executive, Beverley McRae.

The medal, presented on the 20th May 2011 by the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA), recognises excellence in architecture from all categories and the judging panel included an international expert. The prestigious win was announced at the NZ Architecture Awards Gala Dinner, held in Auckland.