A transparent aquatic centre designed by a Hastings firm is a joint supreme winner for this year's NZ Wood Resene Timber Design Awards.
The Coastlands Aquatic Centre in Paraparaumu has a 2000sq m double-curved transparent roof and was designed by Toby Mason while working for LHT Design of Hastings.
The building is also supported by a dramatic grid of curved laminated timber beams.
"This provides a light, warm and beautiful space for the pool," judges said.
"The building demonstrates that timber is not only an appropriate durable material for a humid pool environment, but that with good design it can provide lightweight elegant structures. This is an outstanding example of contemporary timber technology," they added.