Firms recognised with wood awards

Maniatutu Rd.

Three Bay of Plenty companies picked up awards in the NZ Wood-Resene Timber Design Awards announced this week, while Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick gained special recognition for her leadership role when she was awarded the inaugural Wood First Award.

Brian White of Edwards White Architects won the Residential Architectural Excellence category sponsored by Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts for the firm's work on the Maniatutu Rd residence in Pongakawa. Timber was used for structural, cladding, shade and interior elements in what judges described as a harmonious response to people, climate and the landscape.

Te Uru Taumatua

Te Uru Taumatua, Tuhoe's "most sustainable building in New Zealand" was Highly Commended in the Engineering Innovation category sponsored by the Timber Design Society. The building houses the tribal authority for Te Iwi o Tuhoe, and features a 23m glued and laminated entry arch. The building's structure is approximately 95 per cent radiata pine, and complies with stringent criteria set by the International Living Building organisation. Two hundred hollow round wooden piles are embedded 8m into the ground, ensuring the building can withstand a one-in-2500-year earthquake, achieve a 100-year durability rating, and avoid problems associated with liquefiable foundation material.

Eat Streat

Rotorua's Eat Streat complex designed by Jacqui Heaton of APR Architects was Highly Commended in the Exterior Innovation and Infrastructure category sponsored by Jenkin Timber Ltd. The judges described it as "a festive arcade of engineered timber frames, fences and screens [that] has enhanced Rotorua's central restaurant strip".

The theme was a "celebration of timber" in line with Rotorua Lakes Council's Wood First initiative, judges said. "The Rotorua Lakes Council has made the district the first in New Zealand to join countries like Canada, France and Japan, which all have similar enlightened policies to promote wood as the most sustainable construction material," said Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association chief executive Jon Tanner when presenting the award to Mrs Chadwick.

The industry contributes an estimated 9 per cent of Rotorua's GDP and is the largest direct employer in the area. Forty per cent of all wood harvested nationally comes from within a 100km radius of the city.

WPMA promotions manager Debbie Fergie said entries had more than doubled this year. "Timber is a renewable resource providing whole-of-life credibility."