Volcanic plateau projects win architecture awards

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 593, 4 July 1995, Page 2 (Supplement)

Volcanic plateau projects win architecture awards

Whakapapa' s Happy Valley Bistro has featured in this year's regional architecture and colour awards. The project was among II in the western North Island region which were presented with New Zealand Institute of Architects - Resene Regional Awards in Wanganui in June. Colour awards were also presented to five of the winning projects. The Happy Valley Bistro, by Auckland architects Dodd Paterson & Bukowski Rehm Ltd, was described by the awards jury as "a new solution to architecture in an alpine environment." The building offered a bold, simple form that contrasted beautifully with the harsh rock face behind it - and its interior was a "delight". "Architects and clients are to be congratulated for their courage and the rightness of the result," the jury said. Another winner, the McOviney House at Motuopa, Lake Taupo, was a large holiday home, carefully designed by Palmerston North architects Designgroup: Elliott Associates to fit on a small comer lakeside section. "This is a building with flair," the jury said. "The external recession of

plane and mass, use of beach house materials ... and the consistent meticulous detailing, have created an immensely successful ensemble. "The feeling of flow of space internally is exciting and the plan skilfully exploits the orientation and views." Mr Baker said both these award- winning projects were typical of all the winners in the region this year - "they show the contribution good architecture can make - and what can be achieved when an architect and a client work well together." Of the 27 architectural entries received from architects throughout the region, 19 were short-listed by the jury. The jury included three architects - Wanganui architect Tony Baker, Massey University building technology lecturer Robyn Phipps and New Plymouth-based architect Alex van Klink - and one non-architect, Wanganui artist and art history lecturer Paul Johnson. The NZIA-Resene Regional Awards programme, sponsored by Resene Paints, is held by the Institute of Architects every year to recognise the best local work of New Zealand architects.