The Designers Institute’s Best Awards celebrates creatives who excel in spatial, product, graphic and interactive design. We take a look at the residential architecture and interior winners.

The Camp by Fearon Hay Architects
Residential Architecture Gold Pin

And the winners are… And the winners are…

Sited on an estuarine headland off Tawharanui Peninsula, the Bishops Hill Encampment is a small scale structure. The encampment has been designed to be simple accommodation, capturing the essence of old style informal baching and camping. Divided into two buildings for living and sleeping, each space has been thoughtfully arranged to accommodate the essential, basic living needs. The structures sit perched on sloping land that carries on down to the waterline and are positioned to create a sheltered, central space between, where outdoor living can take place. The external appearance of each building uses a combination of exposed timber framework and timber shutters, both with a natural oil finish, embedded harmoniously in the side of the hill amongst the undulating landscape. The small spaces open up to the surrounding landscape through their operable walls in place of windows, further accentuating the relationship to the exterior and overall feel of ‘camping’.

 

Alpine Terrace House by Fearon Hay Architects
Residential Architecture Gold Pin

And the winners are…And the winners are…And the winners are…

The brief was to create a sanctuary within the alpine landscape that could engage with the views of mountain ranges to all sides while offering protection from the harsh weather extremes. The scheme arranges four rectangular building forms around a central courtyard with each offering views to the landscape beyond. On inclement days the external perimeter can be closed and the courtyard opened to allow movement in and out of the various spaces. On calm days it can be opened, transforming the house into a series of covered spaces open to the mountain vistas. The structures accommodate a pair of guest rooms, a kitchen designed for social occasions, a dining space flanked by two sitting areas, the master suite, bathroom and library, and a reading room with mudroom, coats and garaging. They are set on a plinth that begins at ground level next to a gravelled arrival court and transitions to a floating ledge above the sloping terrain. Entry is gained through a glazed volume set between two of the buildings. The enclosure is formed in a palette of timber, steel, metal and stone, all darkened to a form a homogenous silhouette.

 

Richmond Hill House by Bespoke Interior Design
Residential Interiors Gold Pin

And the winners are… And the winners are… And the winners are…

Situated into the extreme slope of Richmond Hill, this residence balances levels with sunken living spaces opening to breath-taking vistas. Space planning played a key role in the client’s brief, as the view needed to be visible from all locations in the home. The exterior deck is an anchor of interaction throughout the whole upper floor. Large sliding doors dissipate, connecting the living and dining spaces through to the bedrooms. Stone, timber and mild steel are some of the materials used in this project, complimented by a subtle palette of oyster whites, black stained oak cabinetry and Italian mosaic tiles. An eggshell sealed marble was used in both the kitchen and bathrooms, creating a cohesive uncomplicated aesthetic. The designers selected aged iron tapware as a clever connection to the mild steel fireplace, which was then softened with warm grey stained oak flooring and natural Jim Thompson linen sheer drapes.

 

Freemans Bay Residence by Hare Interiors
Residential Interiors Gold Pin

And the winners are… And the winners are… And the winners are…

Hare Interiors were challenged with converting an office block into a homely apartment without changing the basic structure, while also making the most of 180 degree northern sea views. Conversely, as the client worked from home it also had to have a seamless office space within the limited open plan living area. They developed a brass looped screen that offered privacy to the office but allowed it to remain open. The living space was also maximised by re-designing the kitchen and extending it along the entire southern wall through the dining and living area. The eastern wall features an electric fire and an integrated technology hub to house the working parts of the home, finished in brass and limestone. “We began the design process with a palette of luxurious and refined finishes in muted, warm metallics and unassuming yet rich tones. In the kitchen, we selected a caramel onyx on the island, layered a variety of brass accents and softened it with natural timber,” they said.

To view all the Best Awards winners for 2019 click here.

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