Twenty-eight projects from throughout Aotearoa have been shortlisted for this year’s Interior Awards. Amongst them, we’re seeing brave, sweeping aesthetics, bold use of colour, a nod to the charm of bygone eras and the return of exceptional detailing through texture, pattern and form, conveying a visual story and communicating craftsmanship.
This year’s finalists showcase a broad range of styles in an exciting time for architectural interiors in New Zealand, where the after-shock of an international pandemic and the circulation of ideas through social media and website platforms have given clients, and their designers, the courage to forge ahead with innovative and often unconventional interior solutions that engage the senses and inspire a sense of positivity and comfort during what have been uncertain times.
Entries showcase excellence in interior design and architectural interiors across eight categories. In addition, the emerging design professional category presents an exciting line-up of the industry’s up-and-coming designers and the community impact award considers the positive outcomes of a collaborative project in the community it serves.
Interior editor of Architecture NZ and convenor of the jury Amanda Harkness said this year once again saw a high number of entries across several categories but most noticeably the residential house category. “It was very tough to land with just three finalists from such an impressive selection of projects,” she says. “And those three couldn’t be more different: a restoration of an existing heritage dwelling, a sustainable, contemporary earth house and a spatially generous, materially rich 85m2 home.”
“The jury was also very impressed with the entries to our new Community Impact award,” Harkness explained. “Here, we are celebrating the very tangible difference a project can have on a local community as a result of a clear vision, determination, effort, combined fundraising and strong collaboration.”
Finalists will present live to the judging panel on 17 and 18 May at Objectspace in Auckland, which will also be live-streamed and available to watch on ArchitectureNow.
Winners will be announced at the Interior Awards event on Thursday 29 June at St Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland.
Tickets go on sale on 8 June 2023 and will be available to purchase from interiorawards.co.nz.
Congratulations to this year’s finalists:
Workplace up to 1000m2
Tax Traders – Material Creative
Textile Building Office – Patterson Associates
Pink Palace – Matter
Workplace over 1000m2
Ngāti Hine Health Trust Whanau Centre – Studio DB
EY Tahi, Wellington – TOA Architects
Chapman Tripp Wellington Fitout – Studio Pacific Architecture
Retail
Stolen Girlfriends Club Wellington Flagship Store – Jasmax and Alt Group
Faradays – Cheshire Architects
Cloudy Bay Cellar Door – Paul Rolfe Architects
Hospitality
Picnicka – CTRL Space
Bivacco, Bar & Griglia – Izzard Design
Bossi Restaurant – CTRL Space
Healthcare and Wellness
Lovoir Day Spa – Wilson and Hill Architects
Wellington Children’s Hospital – Studio Design + Architecture
Stravinskij – Seear-Budd Ross
Civic
Visy Recycling – Atelier Jones Design
Taunga Waka Rererangi o Kirikiriroa, Hamilton Airport – Archimedia Waikato Architects
Te Taumata o Kupe Nuku – TOA Architects
Kā Uri, Awanui – Glamuzina Architects
Residential
Lightly Weighted – Oli Booth Architecture
Ophir House – Nott Architects
Residential Kitchen
Point House – Guy Tarrant Architects
Brick House – Sayes Studio Ltd
Konini Road Kitchen – Atelier Jones Design
Community Impact*
Te Pou Theatre – Burgess Treep & Knight Architects
Te Puna Reo o Manga Tangaroa – ĀKAU
Vogelmorn UPSTAIRS – Sam Donald
Emerging Design Professional
Ella Lilley-Gasteiger – Monk Mackenzie
Oli Booth – Oli Booth Architecture
Emma Hoyle – Emma Hoyle Interiors
*New to the Awards programme this year, the Community Impact category does not require a live presentation to the jury on May 17 and 18. Instead, the jury will be joined by guest juror, Auckland City Mission CEO/City Missioner/Manutaki Helen Robinson, to assess the three finalists in more detail and decide the category winner.
With thanks to our Interior Awards 2023 sponsors. Find out more about our sponsors here.
