$600k earthquake rebuild named New Zealand's best architectural design of 2025
Canterbury shone at this year's ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards, with five of eight winners from the region.
RNZ Online
Fabric architect Mitchell Coll won the supreme award as well as the new home up to 150m² and kaitiakitanga awards for this Canterbury earthquake-rebuild villa, which was “bought back to life” with less than $1 million.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
This home, owned by a young couple, set out to capture the essence of their beloved villa – retaining its character, extensive use of wood, and strong connection to the front and backyards.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
Coll was inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi – finding beauty in imperfection and transience. Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
The home’s dark exterior is in contrast to the light interior to reinforce the feeling of a sanctuary within and a nod to its Japanese influence.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
Tauranga designer Adam Taylor’s Rhythm & Greens project in Mount Maunganui transformed a neglected family home into a refined bach. It won the residential alterations and additions, and home interiors awards. Supplied / Ben Parry - Untitled Studio
The Mount Maunganui home before the rebuild.Supplied / Ben Parry - Untitled Studio
The interior reinterprets 1970s design language with freshness and vitality, the judges say.Supplied / Ben Parry - Untitled Studio
Punches of colour and floating cabinetry elements lend visual lightness, while thoughtful joinery and finishes respectfully echo the era of the original build. Supplied / Ben Parry - Untitled Studio
The design preserves the essence of the original while offering new clarity, judges say.Supplied / Ben Parry - Untitled Studio
Hierarchy Group's Chris Wheeler and Ashton Wright's design for Sugarloaf restaurant, at FlockHill in Canterbury, won the commercial architecture and commercial interiors and fitouts awards.Supplied / Dennis Radermacher, Lightforge Photography
The design draws from regional vernacular traditions, judges say.Supplied / Dennis Radermacher, Lightforge Photography
The space has a sense of grandeur and frames the breathtaking natural landscape.Supplied / Dennis Radermacher, Lightforge Photography
It shows how a big space can be embellished with details to create an inviting, characterful interior environment, judges say.Supplied / Dennis Radermacher, Lightforge Photography
Interconnected spaces encourage moments of rest, reflection, and conviviality, judges say.Supplied / Dennis Radermacher, Lightforge Photography
Supplied / Dennis Radermacher, Lightforge Photography
Gareth Ritchie of Archco Architecture won the New Home over 300m² Award for this Burntwood Lane dwelling in North Canterbury's Pegasus Golf Course.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
Judges described Burntwood as a masterful reinterpretation of the pavilion typology.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
Courtyards create moments of pause and reflection, effectively bringing nature into the living spaces, judges say.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
Sam Connell, of Figure & Ground, designed this Macandrew Lane property in Wānaka, Otago, which landed him the New Home between 150m² and 300m² Award. Supplied / Simon Larkin Photography
The home embraces its outdoor environment through deep verandahs and subtle landscape thresholds, judges say.Supplied / Simon Larkin Photography
The primary focus was on creating flexible sleeping arrangements, ensuring ample room for guests to gather, stay, and enjoy the environment.Supplied / Simon Larkin Photography
The judges called it a "finely calibrated work of domestic architecture".Supplied / Simon Larkin Photography
Supplied / Simon Larkin Photography
John Hayes of Ninethirty won the Architectural Spaces and Structures Award for Repurposed With Purpose – a transportable studio.Supplied / Arie Stokes
Judges say the project shows how architecture can give new life to discarded materials.Supplied / Arie Stokes
It took the team one day a week over 17 months to design and build it.Supplied / Arie Stokes
Sam Connell of Figure & Ground won the Multi-Unit Housing Award for this Gracefield Ave development in Christchurch.Supplied / James Munro
Judges described it as "modest in character but ambitious in design intention".Supplied / James Munro
The development accommodates six units.Supplied / James Munro
Mitchell Coll of Fabric won the Resene Colour in Design Award for the Constructure Building in Christchurch.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
An unexpected floral mural guides visitors inside by connecting the external and internal spaces.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
The emerald, green ceiling echoes the flooring and furniture, while the organic timber detailing and natural colour palette contribute to a warm, earthy atmosphere, judges say.Supplied / Stephen Goodenough
