Twenty-eight architectural projects across Canterbury have been deemed the very best in Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Regional Awards this year.

From a major public recreation facility to an intimate 17 square-metre chapel, and stretching from Timaru to Rangiora, the winners in this year’s awards represent a wide variety of projects and spaces that demonstrate the breadth of the architectural capabilities of this region.

The Parakiore Recreation and Aquatic Centre by Warren and Mahoney, MJMA Architecture & Design Toronto and Peddle Thorp (Melbourne) was awarded in the Public Architecture category, with the jury praising its strong focus on community use, accessibility, and practicality.

Banks Peninsula also featured prominently this year, with projects from Akaroa, Governors Bay and Lyttelton getting a nod from the jury in the Housing, Alterations and Additions, and Public Architecture categories.

The Chapel of St Thérèse of Lisieux by Bull O'Sullivan Architecture won over the jury with a clear sense of authenticity and personal commitment by the architect.

“The jury was impressed by the ingenuity architects showed in responding to complex briefs and challenging constraints, while maintaining strong collaborative relationships with clients, contractors and consultants,” says jury convenor and architect Mike Callaghan of Johnstone Callaghan Architects. “That collaboration resulted in projects delivered with exceptional care, resolution and craftsmanship. Across all the entries, the enduring value of architecture—and its positive impact on our communities—was evident.”

Callaghan was joined on the jury by Julia Mercer (Elbow Architects), Daniel Smith (Edwards White Architects) and lay juror Annabel Cropper (Annabel Cropper Design).

The winners received their awards at an event at the Christchurch Town Hall on 4 June.

Full list of 2026 Canterbury Regional Architecture Awards winners by category:

Commercial Architecture

• 200 High by AW Architects (Christchurch)

• Kahurangi – Te Whatu Ora Child, Adolescent and Family Community Project by IKON Architects (Christchurch)

• Nott Office Space by Nott Architects (Christchurch)

• MacMurray Endoscopy and Specialist Centre Christchurch by Wingates (Christchurch)

Education

• Lincoln High School | Te Kura Tuarua o Waihora, Wai Tūhura Science Block by Athfield Architects (Lincoln)

• Te Ao Mārama Whare by Stufkens + Chambers Architects (Rangiora)

Enduring Architecture

• The Princess Margaret Hospital (1959) by Manson, Seward & Stanton (Christchurch)

Heritage

• Aigantighe House Gallery Refurbishment by Irving Smith Architects and Ian Bowman in association (Timaru)

• Christchurch Boys' High School Main Block Restoration & Refurbishment by Athfield Architects, Paul Cummack Conservation and Clare Kelly Heritage Architect in association (Christchurch)

Housing

• Beach House by Anna-Marie Chin Architects (Akaroa)

• Fendalton by Prau (Christchurch)

• Frankie’s House by Warren and Mahoney (Christchurch)

• Hillsborough Valley House by Tim Dewar (Christchurch)

• Loburn Pavilions by Three Sixty Architecture (Loburn)

Housing – Alterations and Additions

• The Red Cottage by Chaplin Crooks Architects (Christchurch)

• Chapter Street by Warren and Mahoney (Christchurch)

• Timber Taco by Shaw & Shaw Architects (Governors Bay)*

Housing – Multi-unit

• Arbor Green by South by Southeast (Rolleston)

• Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Stage 2 by Andrew Barrie Lab (Christchurch)

Interior Architecture

• Donnithornes by IKON Architects (Christchurch)

• Buddle Findlay Christchurch by Jasmax (Christchurch)

• Context Studio Fitout by Context Architects (Christchurch)

Planning & Urban Design

• Dallington Bridge by Isthmus (Christchurch)

Public Architecture

• Chapel of St Thérèse of Lisieux by Bull O'Sullivan Architecture (Lyttelton)

• Parakiore Recreation and Aquatic Centre by Warren and Mahoney, MJMA Architecture & Design Toronto and Peddle Thorp (Melbourne) (Christchurch)

• The Court Theatre by Haworth Tompkins and Athfield Architects in association (Christchurch)

Small Project Architecture

• Kererū Corner by Shaw & Shaw Architects (Christchurch)*

• Betteridge House – Renovation by JHA (Christchurch)*

Note: * denotes Resene Colour Award winner.