"Several of the local practices on this year's shortlist have made it to the finals of previous World Architecture Festivals, and one - RTA Studio - has made the shortlist six times.
"These are significant achievements, given that the festival attracts hundreds of entries, many of them from large, multi-national practices based in Europe, Asia and North America. Residential design has always been a strength of our architecture and several New Zealand houses are on this year's World Architecture Festival shortlist. It's also pleasing to note that other types of our buildings are winning international recognition."
The Auckland Art Gallery extension, designed by FJMT and Archimedia, won the top award - the World Building of the Year - last year at the festival.
- www.nzherald.co.nz