Napier home up in lights

RACHEL PINDER
Hawke's Bay architect James Jack is celebrating after his Ricketts House creation was singled out in the 2006 New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Resene Gisborne/Hawke's Bay Local Awards for Architecture.
Ricketts House in Goldsmith Road, Napier, was given special praise in the awards, and James Jack was one of three Hawke's Bay architects who received recognition, along with Gavin Cooper and Paris Magdalinos Architects Ltd.
Awards were made in a number of categories, including heritage and conservation, commercial and industrial, educational, residential and interior design. Projects also received Resene Colour Awards for outstanding use of colour solutions.
One of the judges was Brent Scott, from Napier architecture design company Citrus Studio, who said the winning projects reflected the high standards of architectural projects in the region.
"It's not just the major centres that are showcasing the best in New Zealand architecture," he said.
Mr Scott said a number of the projects deserved special praise - including Ricketts House.
"This home splendidly utilises its Napier Hill site. It has been gently faceted to gain the best views and sun, while affording privacy and protection from inclement weather. A well-presented lower level entry guides visitors upward at the main level. The home spreads out effortlessly and compactly, yet creates a variety of different living spaces," Mr Scott said.
He also singled out Angus House in Bay View, designed by Gavin Cooper Architects.
Angus House is a retired couples coastal home and home-stay consisting of a farm shed and bach-style buildings, melded together with detailing, materials, finishings and colouring both internally and externally.
Mr Scott said this home was in harmony with its environment.
"It is very relaxed with a rural and coastal aspect. The design is informal, yet finished to fine detail, and was designed to successfully accommodate its use as both a private residence and B&B;," he said.
Napier Girls High School's Hague Building also received praise for its design, by Paris Magdalinos Architects Ltd.
Mr Scott pointed out that it is not a standard school building design, only housing corridors and classrooms. "The block provides so much more than classrooms, giving the school new gathering spaces, thanks to its dramatic first floor terrace and ground level court. The Hague Building has clever space manipulation, strong and careful detailing, bold colour, which enhances its superb location at both floor levels.
"Its raised terrace utilises space dramatically, and surely provides inspiration for the pupils using this wonderful facility," he said.
The building also received a Resene Colour Award. Mr Scott said its strong colourings inside and out provide a cheerful classroom facility which complements the adjacent Walker Building.
The judging panel - Brent Scott, Tim Judd of Judd Dougan Team Architecture and quantity surveyor David Richards of David Richards Ltd - said their main consideration was how well a building resolved key design issues and contributed to the advancement of architecture.