Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Civil Defence HQ win architecture awards

Civil Defence HQ win architecture awards



Click to enlarge

Waitakere’s sustainable Civil Defence headquarters in Glendene scooped two awards at the 2008 Auckland Architecture Awards announced last night.

Judges described the building, which won awards in the public and sustainable architecture categories, as “highly functioning and extremely elegant” and “a bench mark for sustainable architecture”.

“These awards not only recognise an impressive and functional building but also our core principles of innovation and commitment to be leaders in terms sustainable development,” says chairman of Waitakere City Council’s Emergency Services Special Committee Derek Battersby.

Designed to operate under extreme emergency conditions, the building features robust and low maintenance building materials, a rain water collection facility and photovoltaic cells to power the building and provide hot water. It can function separately from the national grid for up to five days.

Judges also described it as an "intriguing hybrid building that resolves the unique challenge of creating an emergency communications centre within an architectural form but that relates sympathetically to its residential neighbours.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

“The orderly interior layout is focused around a double height open-plan meeting room with flexible partitions. Robust construction methods and highly specialised servicing requirements have been combined with design flair to create a solution that is both highly functioning and extremely elegant,” the judges said.

The building in Elcoat Avenue was designed by Architectus Auckland and officially opened in September 2007.

Another local building, the Colin McCahon Cottage in French Bay, was recognised at the awards, winning a heritage award and the Resene Colour Award.

The judges described the project as an inspired combination of conservation, restoration and interpretive installation that gives a powerful insight into the life of Colin McCahon at French Bay and said that the work was an example of “subtle innovation, intelligence and respect.”

The colours of the cottage were recreated to match the original paintwork by the artist and are described as “a master class in colour”.

The Auckland Architecture Awards are run by the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

The winning projects are eligible for consideration for a New Zealand Architecture Award, which is decided by a national jury in early 2009.

Caption: Waitakere’s Civil Defence headquarters has won two Auckland Architecture Awards.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.