The projects shortlisted in the prestigious, peer-reviewed national awards programme range from a pre-school; Footsteps Pre-School, Palmerston North by Parsonson Architects; multi-unit housing Kōtukutuku Kāinga, Ōtara by TOA Architects; and a tiny 13 square metre project to provide storage and services for the owners’ future home in Akaroa, Nightlight by Coll Architecture.

Housing makes up the largest category, with 14 projects on the shortlist including Mawhiti, a holiday house situated on the western coast of Waiheke Island by Stevens Lawson Architects, Kahutara House, Wairarapa by Patchwork Architecture, and Green Family Home, Lyttelton by Bull O’Sullivan Architecture.

In the International Architecture category, the jury have shortlisted Learning from Trees, a collaboration from staff at the University of Auckland School of Architecture and Planning by Dr Andrew Barrie which was created for the Italian Pavilion for the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. The project was a lightweight, sustainable structure utilising 436 individual pieces of timber.

Scroll down to see a photo gallery of the shortlist.

All shortlisted projects will be visited between Monday 29 August and Thursday 8 September by this year’s jury, which is convened by Nelson based architect Andrew Irving, of Irving Smith Architects. Andrew will be joined by Mel Bright of Studio Bright, Melbourne; Ana O'Connell, Lovell & O'Connell Architects, Wellington; and Craig Moller of Moller Architects, Auckland.

Mel is our first international jury member since 2019 and is looking forward to the tour.

"After the last few years, I’m really ready to soak up some great architecture, it’s such an honour to be invited."

"The shortlisting discussions have already been really enjoyable, so I’m excited about spending some quality time with the local jury members - Ana, Craig and Andrew. It sounds like we are going to cover some serious ground so I’m also looking forward to seeing some of the beautiful NZ country."

Andrew says the jury has enjoyed the challenge of shortlisting.

"The variety and standard of projects put forward was exceptional."

"I’m looking forward to, literally, traversing NZ and experiencing a broad spectrum of great architecture."

The winners of the New Zealand Architecture Awards will be announced at a ceremony which will be held at the Christchurch Town Hall on Friday, 18 November. Book your tickets.

The shortlist

Commercial Architecture

Profile Group Hautapu Facility by Jasmax, Cambridge.
Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa by Sheppard & Rout Architects, Methven.
Brandon House by Studio of Pacific Architecture, Wellington.

Education

Whitby Collegiate Classroom Pavilion by Andrew Sexton Architecture, Porirua.
Te Rau Karamu Marae by Athfield Architects and Te Kāhui Toi, Massey University in association, Wellington.
CBHS Caddick Caldwell Block by Athfield Architects, Christchurch.
Footsteps Preschool by Parsonson Architects, Palmerston North.
Te Raekura Redcliffs School by Tennent Brown Architects, Christchurch.

Heritage

Cuba Precinct Redevelopment by Athfield Architects, Wellington.
Massey University Refectory by Studio of Pacific Architecture, Palmerston North.

Hospitality

Park Hyatt Hotel Auckland by Bossley Architects and a r + d in association, Auckland.
EBB-DUNEDIN by Gary Todd Architecture, Dunedin.
Alma by Jack McKinney Architects, Auckland.

Housing

Terrace Edge by Anna-Marie Chin Architects, Arrowtown.
Pūponga Bach by Athfield Architects, Golden Bay.
Cliffs Road House by bell + co architecture and Saunders Architecture, Dunedin.
Green Family Home by Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, Lyttleton.
Waterhouse Family Home by Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, Cambridge.
Casper's House by Glamuzina Architects and Dessein Parke in association, Coromandel.
Rangiputa Bach by Herbst Architects Karikari Peninsula
Matapouri Beach House by Herbst Architects, Matapouri.
Mawhitipana House by MacKay Curtis, Waiheke Island.
Crinkle Cut by Pac Studio and Steven Lloyd Architecture, Point Wells.
Waimataruru by Pac Studio and Kristina Pickford Design in association, Coromandel.
Kahutara House by Patchwork Architecture, Wairarapa.
Mawhiti by Stevens Lawson Architects, Waiheke Island.
The Dart by Studio John Irving, Mangawhai.

Housing - Alterations and Additions

Carrington Cottage by a.k.a Architecture, Wellington.
Beach Barn by C Nott Architects and Alex Fulton Design in association, Sumner.
Town House by Guy Tarrant Architects, Ponsonby.
Under Ivy by Jake McKinney Architects, St Mary’s Bay.
Split House by Pac Studio, Sandringham

Housing - Multi Unit

132 Halsey Athfield Architects, Auckland CBD
Party Wall by Patchwork Architecture, Kelburn.
Kōtukutuku Kāinga by TOA Architects, Ōtara.

Interior Architecture

Te Rau Karamu Marae by Athfield Architects and Te Kāhui Toi, Massey University in association, Wellington.
MC Workplace Fit-Out by Jasmax, Auckland CBD.

International Architecture

Learning from Trees by Andrew Barrie Lab, Italy.

Planning & Urban Design

Te Wānanga by Isthmus, City Centre Design Collective, Mana Whenua and Downtown Programme in association, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Ōmarukaikuru by Isthmus, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Public Architecture

Kohinga St Albans Community Centre by Christchurch City Council, Christchurch.
Ravenscar House by Patterson Associates, Christchurch.
Auckland City Mission – HomeGround by Stevens Lawson Architects, Auckland CBD.
Te Puna at Auckland Zoo by Stevens Lawson Architects and Jack McKinney Architects in association, Western Springs.
Te Ara Ātea by Warren and Mahoney Architects, Rolleston.

Small Project Architecture

Nightlight by Coll Architecture|Fabric, Akaroa.
The Cabin by Johnstone Callaghan Architects, Abel Tasman National Park.
The Tent by Studio John Irving, Mangawhai.

Browse the winners of the 2021 New Zealand Architecture Awards, including our four Named Award winners.