Twenty-one architecture projects were named winners for 2023. Important public buildings were recognised across the region, including Hamilton Zoo’s artful new entrance by Edwards White Architects, the Sir Howard Morrison Centre by Shand Shelton and First Light Studio for its thoughtful refurbishment and seismic strengthening of the category one heritage theatre, and the Taupō Airport Terminal, a winner in the Commercial category for Shelter Architects.

At the other end of the scale, winners in the Small Project Architecture category show that architecture doesn’t have to be large in scale to be impactful. The Urban Tramping Hut, a minimalist studio by Bellbird Architect inspired by bush huts, was celebrated for its experimental approach; Beach Hut by SGA - Strachan Group Architects proved that a prefabricated micro-dwelling can be award winning; and Deep Cover cricket pavilion, sited on a residential section in Tamahere, was praised by the judges for being both intelligent and whimsical.

“There were some lovely moments of delight, playfulness and human spirit in the winning projects,” says Megan Scott, jury convenor. “They varied in scale, complexity and budget, and were all so different, but we were impressed by the way the architects overcame the material issues and difficulties related to Covid, connected with their clients, and collaborated to create architecture that lifts the human spirit. They created architecture that connects with human emotions and we were moved by them.”

Full list of Waikato & Bay of Plenty Winners:

Commercial Architecture

• Rabobank Tower, Union Square by Chow:Hill Architects

• Vantage by Edwards White Architects

• Taupō Airport Terminal by Shelter Architects

Education

• Te Kura o Te Whānau a Apanui by DCA Architects of Transformation and MOAA Architects in association

• Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha by MOAA Architects

Housing

• Ranch Puke by Architecture Bureau

• Screened Gables by Edwards White Architects

• Panorama by Edwards White Architects

• Coastal Retreat by Mercer and Mercer Architects

• Slide House by Mercer and Mercer Architects

• G House by Parsonson Architects

• Tent House by SGA - Strachan Group Architects

Housing—Alterations & Additions

• Terrace Red by Architecture Bureau

Housing—Multi Unit

• Cambridge Townhouses by Christopher Beer Architect

• Manning Street by Edwards White Architects

Public Architecture

• Hamilton Zoo and Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park Entry Precinct by Edwards White Architects

• Cambridge Police Base by PAUA Architects

• Sir Howard Morrison Centre by Shand Shelton and First Light Studio

Small Project Architecture

• The Urban Tramping Hut by Bellbird Architect

• Deep Cover by Edwards White Architects

• Beach Hut by SGA - Strachan Group Architects

Resene Colour Award winners

• Slide House by Mercer and Mercer Architects

• G House by Parsonson Architects

• Tent House by SGA - Strachan Group Architects

The 2023 Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards jurors were:

• Convenor Megan Scott of Megan Scott Architect

• Brendon Gordon of Brendon Gordon Architects

• Daniel Barrington of Klein

• Courtney Smith-Frank, architectural graduate 

See photo galleries and read more about these projects on our Local Awards page.