An architectural design with latent potential was a major winner at this year’s Otago/Southland ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Awards announced on Friday 27 July. Five awards and two commends were awarded to six designers in the Otago/Southland regional round. The award winners are Michael Holmes of Holmes Architecture, Brent Alexander of the design studio, Reece Warnock of Warnock Architecture, Sam Connell of Connell Architecture, Hamish McCaul of ArchiDesign, and Julie-Ann Ross for design arc Limited.
Holmes took away two awards for ‘Larchwood Heights’ - the Residential Compact New Home up to 150m2 Architectural Design Award and the Residential Interiors Architectural Design Award. ‘Larchwood Heights’ beautifully defies the notion that a space or place is static and can only have one enduring identity.
The compact home has a large personality with industrial fittings playing rugged off refined with dramatic views of the Remarkables accessed from a cantilevered deck. Over time, this charming chameleon will evolve and morph into something else - a garage as part of a wider development.
Situated on an elevated site, tucked away at the end of a private cul de sac, the property is blessed with expansive views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables and its clever design takes full advantage of these. The roof geometry conforms precisely with the recession plane requirements, with a folded hip design at the furthest point from the ground, culminating in a dramatic mono-pitch at the front. The elevation, as reviewed on approach, takes in the beautiful views with the severe black mono-pitch relating to the rugged peaks beyond.
A dark and earthy colour palette creates an inviting internal retreat, while skylights and a pitched ceiling over the living area creates a generous volume, off-setting the compact floor area. A loft space adds flexibility and function to the building.
“The project is stage one, a first step onto the site. The building will eventually become a garage. Rather than succumb to the potential ordinariness of its intended future use, this is a generous interior that celebrates the moment,” said the judges.
OTAGO/SOUTHLAND ADNZ | RESENE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS
Residential Compact New Home up to 150m2 Architectural Design Award awarded to Larchwood Heights by Michael Holmes of Holmes Architecture
Commended in the Residential New Home between 150m2 and 300m2 Architectural Design Award category awarded to Modern Villa by Brent Alexander of the design studio
Residential New Home over 300m2 Architectural Design Award awarded to Four Views Residence by Sam Connell of Connell Architecture
Commended in the Residential New Home over 300m2 Architectural Design Award category awarded to Barron Residence by Reece Warnock of Warnock Architecture
Residential Interiors Architectural Design Award awarded to Larchwood Heights House by Michael Holmes of Holmes Architecture
Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award awarded to Allpress Storehouse by Hamish McCaul of ArchiDesign
Resene Colour in Design Award awarded to Cheeky Kea by Julie-Ann Ross of design arc Limited
