Economic woes aside, it has been a positive year for architecture in the capital with twenty-seven projects acknowledged in the 2012 Wellington Architecture Awards.

The winning projects ranged from schools to office fit-outs, houses and heritage buildings, with repurposed or adapted buildings featuring prominently in the programme. The judging convenor, Wellington architect, Paki Maaki noted a trend towards accomplished and community-focused educational buildings and the continued strength of residential architecture in the region. 

Despite the tightening of budgets, two large buildings featured in the awards’ line-up. Telecom Central on Willis Street, designed by architecture+, was awarded in the Commercial Architecture category. The interior of the same building, designed by Warren & Mahoney and Geyer, also received an award in the Interior Architecture section. 

The ASB Sports Centre, designed by Tennent + Brown Architects in association with SKM Architects, was another noteable project and received recognition in the Public Architecture category of the programme. Judges commented: ‘It is a fine example of how excellent public architecture can make a difference to peoples’ daily lives. People simply want to go and play in this stadium’.

Scroll through the image gallery above to view the 2012 Wellington Architecture Award winners or see below for the full list. Read the judges’ full citations here.

Commercial Architecture

• BRANZ Redevelopment (Porirua) Warren and Mahoney Architects
• Telecom Central (Wellington) architecture+

Education

• Amesbury School (Churton Park) McKenzie Higham Architecture
• Maidstone Intermediate School Information Centre Jasmax
• Porirua College Redevelopment Opus Architecture
• VUW – Hugh Mackenzie Building Lecture Theatre Refurbishment Tennent + Brown Architects

Heritage

• Chevening Apartment Building (Kelburn) Studio of Pacific Architecture
• Embassy Theatre Bar & Cinema (Wellington) Designgroup Stapleton Elliott and Indyk Architects in association
• Xero House (formerly JCB Building) (Wellington) Studio of Pacific Architecture

Interior Architecture

• Soltius Offices (Wellington) Herriot + Melhuish: Architecture
• Telecom Central (Wellington) Warren and Mahoney Architects Ltd and Geyer
• The Wellington Fireplace (Kaiwharawhara) John Mills Architects
• Xero Fitout (Wellington) Studio of Pacific Architecture
• Z Energy (Wellington) Jasmax

Public Architecture

• ASB Sports Centre (Kilbirnie) Tennent + Brown Architects Ltd and SKM Architects in association
• Carterton Events Centre Opus Architecture
• Kumutoto Toilets (North Queens Wharf) Studio of Pacific Architecture
• Wellington Zoo Hub & Kamalas Pavilion (Newtown) Assembly Architects

Housing

• Dickinson House (Eastbourne) Studio of Pacific Architecture
• Cook Strait House (Island Bay) Tennent + Brown Architects
• Lloyd House (Paekakariki) atelierworkshop
• Ohariu House Jasmax
• Rangimarie (York Bay) Architecture FCA
• Regent Park Apartments for City Housing WCC (Newtown) Designgroup Stapleton Elliott
• Robinson House (Plimmerton) Novak + Middleton Architects
• Waikanae House Parsonson Architects

Small Project Architecture

• Northland Studio (Wellington) James Fenton Architect

Sustainable Architecture

• Amesbury School McKenzie Higham Architecture
• BRANZ Redevelopment (Porirua) Warren and Mahoney Architects
• Ohariu House Jasmax
• Rangimarie (York Bay) Architecture FCA