Custance Associates’ award-winning house in Morison’s Bush. PHOTOS/ SUPPLIED
Grand designs in Wairarapa have been recognised.
Two housing projects in the region have been awarded for their design, durability and detail in the 2018 Wellington Architecture Awards, held at Parliament’s banquet hall on Wednesday night.
Foster and Melville Architects won an award for a house in Greytown, while Custance Associates won the Wairarapa House award for theirs in Morison’s Bush.
Jury convenor Sally Ogle of Patchwork Architecture said the house in Greytown was beautifully detailed, referencing rural buildings among its landscape.
“It is an exceptional backdrop to the client’s extensive collection of art, but the house also performs well in other significant ways.
“The roof line extends beyond the building to create areas of respite from the Wairarapa summer heat, and the gable roof and timber slats focus attention on to the steel front door, which, once passed, reveals spaces designed to enjoy views that go as far as the Tararua Ranges.”
Ms Ogle said the house in Morison’s Bush was built to stand the test of time.
“Elevated above the Ruamahanga River, the house is built of honest and robust materials – an appropriate response to the rural context.
“This house is a house for all seasons that has been built to last many lifetimes.”
Ms Ogle and a jury of four architects visited 40 buildings across the Greater Wellington region as part of the judging process.
Twenty-four buildings were chosen to receive an award on Wednesday night in categories including public, commercial, interior and enduring architecture.
Both Wairarapa’s winning projects will be eligible for the shortlist in the New Zealand Architecture Awards, which will be announced in November.
