Wild toilet design lifts award

The Redwood Visitor Centre public toilets, designed by Darryl Church. Photo/File

Rotorua architectural designer Darryl Church has added another award to his growing list.

Mr Church, of Darryl Church Architecture, won both the Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award and the Resene Colour in Design Award at the Bay of Plenty ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards held on Saturday for the design of the Redwood Visitor Centre public toilets.

"It feels pretty good to win," he said.

"We didn't really get the original design off the ground but we were pleased with what was chosen."

The judges described Mr Church's winning toilets as an "artistic and sensitive response to an area of high natural beauty".

"The toilets are randomly inserted amongst the giant Redwood grove. While the function of the toilets remains uncompromising, the laser cut steel shrouds transform into landscape art."

Maori-inspired patterns of native birds were laser cut into the metal surrounds.

"The cylindrical corten steel inherits a patina and form that acknowledges the Redwoods. The toilets appear in harmony with the surrounds so not to compete with the real attraction, but at the same time have become an attraction in their own right."

The design was described by one judge as a "wildly inventive but charming response to potentially a very ordinary brief".

Mr Church was praised by judges for "integrating architecture and art, the vivid use of colour, form and light sits wonderfully within its forest context". "Even if you didn't want to go - you will want to rest awhile to enjoy the experience."

Architectural Designers New Zealand general manager Astrid Andersen said the quality of the award entries lifted each year.