Bold but ideal for living in the city

ANNE GIBSON casts an eye over regional winners of the National Architecture Awards.

If good architecture is the ideal response of a building to its surroundings, then several Auckland designs are fine examples of that criterion.

They are regional winners of the National Architecture Awards.

A Takapuna house owned by a businessman and a Western Springs house owned by an artist were judged two outstanding examples of excellent architecture.

Jim Dowell's house at Minnehaha Ave, Takapuna, won a northern region award for bold planning and materials. The house, by Auckland architect Andrew Patterson, is distinct from other homes in the street.

"The architects' effective use of volume and transparency is particularly effective in allowing the building to connect directly with its surroundings," the judges said.

"Functionally and technically demanding, the house has several ingenious features, like the mechanised shutters which present a rigorous exterior while simultaneously controlling issues of weathering, shade and privacy."

Mr Dowell was one of the founders of corporate giant McConnell Dowell, along with the late Buck McConnell.

The Auckland house of artist Stephen Bambury - known for his large, minimalist, geometric paintings - also won a regional award.

The house, at Springfield Rd, Western Springs, is like the Dowell house in that it is bold but simple and in stark contrast to the more traditional neighbourhood houses.

It was designed by Pip Cheshire of Jasmax.

"This is a crisp and contemporary exploration of the owner's interest in modernism that sits well in the street alongside its more conservative neighbours.

"Strong raw materials are a feature, as is the large oak around which the house is neatly wrapped," the judges said.

"Open yet private, the house offers a satisfying variety of spaces and textures as one progresses through and up the building. It simply and clearly resolves the many difficulties inherent in building on small inner-city sites, yet is uncompromising in its design integrity.

"This house also stands as a superb example of collaboration between the architect and a client, who had substantial input into the design process."

Houses were not the only winners.

The Civic Theatre refurbishment won a northern regional award for its "welcome repolish on a much-loved piece of Auckland city jewellery."

"The success of this restoration rests largely in what is not seen - the coordination and integration of modern services, standards and facilities as well as the reconfiguration of public spaces."

The job, by Jasmax Architects and Interior Designers in association with City Design and Smythe Grand Salmond Architects, also showed unstinting reconstruction.

"The theatre's ceiling now even boasts a more accurate southern sky."

The judges said the restoration was an outstanding achievement characterised by commitment, care and seamless coordination.

Other Auckland region winners were:

* The lobby of the Royal & SunAlliance building.

* Sales Technologies' headquarters.

* Ford's building at Manukau.

* Bachkit at Kumeu.

* The Teachers Support Services Centre at the Auckland College of Education, Epsom.

* The Point apartments at Viaduct Harbour.

The three national award-winning buildings were Auckland's New Gallery, an addition to Longbeach School near Ashburton and the late Roger Dodd's house at Dunedin.