Studio Pacific turns 20!
Founded on 2 February 1992, Studio Pacific celebrates its 20th birthday today. We have enjoyed the last 20 years - in particular, all of our relationships with colleagues, clients, consultants, contractors, friends and family - and we are looking forward to the next 20!
The original Studio Pacific office in Willis St, 1992
The Rock wins RMB Commercial Project of the Year at the National Registered Master Builders Awards
The Rock has won the RMB Commercial Project of the Year at this year's National Registered Master Builders Awards. Recognised as New Zealand's premier building competition for construction companies, the awards set the standard for construction in New Zealand, acknowledging leading projects across the country that inspire through their commitment to excellence in construction. The finalists were the Gold Award winners from 14 regional competitions held throughout New Zealand.
The judges' citation for The Rock noted, "this extremely complex build was executed to perfection, resulting in a truly sensational building and environment to be in. The construction team, who made a superb job of a very innovative structure, is a deserving recipient of this year's RMB Commercial Project of the Year."
(28 November 2011)
The Rock wins international design award at the Inside World Festival of Interiors
Following its success in a number of prestigious New Zealand and local awards, The Rock has received recognition on the world stage, winning the Transportation category at the international Inside World Festival of Interiors, the interior design section of the World Architecture Festival. Held in Barcelona, the Inside Festival celebrates the world's finest interiors, judged by a panel of internationally respected designers and key industry figures. Studio Pacific director Nick Barratt-Boyes and Warren and Mahoney Executive Director Ralph Roberts, both of whom were key members of The Rock's design team, travelled to Barcelona to present the project to the judging panel and ultimately to collect the award. The judges commented, "we were impressed that the project celebrated the local heritage through symbolic design that didn't adhere to the stereotype of a typical transport building.”
(8 November 2011)
The Rock shortlisted for The Great Indoors Award
The Rock was a finalist in the 'Serve and Faciliate' category of The Great Indoors Award, an international biennial interior design award initiated and organised by high-profile Dutch design magazine Frame. Held in Maastricht, the awards aim to reward excellence in interior design as well as prompting debate and raising the profile of interior design across the world. The jury noted, "A departure from anticipated airport blandness and overused metaphors of flight, The Rock's dramatically craggy structure shelters an intimate, cave-like interior, providing a public space with a sense of privacy."
(8 November 2011)
NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards 2011
Two Studio Pacific projects received awards at the NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards this year, with The Rock winning a Commercial Architecture award and the Customhouse on Wellington's waterfront winning an award in the Sustainability category.
The judges' citation for The Rock noted, "Different, without a doubt, the building dubbed ‘The Rocks’ puts its stamp, ironically, on New Zealand's air travel landscape. In its defiance of analogies about the freedom and levity of flight, the building's external language is certainly unusual. Cavernous, introverted, and mostly slick interiors articulate a singular response to geometrical and technical challenges. A collegial project team, knitted together seamlessly from two prominent practices, has produced a distinctive Wellington gateway. This provocative intervention begs the question: What next?"
On the Customhouse, the judges commented, "Close collaboration between Architect and engineers has resulted in a building in which sustainability is integrated seamlessly into the architecture, an approach exemplified by the pre-cast concrete flooring that provides abundant thermal mass and accommodates chilled beams and lighting. The building is a welcome departure from the commercial office norm of a flat rectangular volume capped by a modular suspended ceiling grid. In the interior, logical planning and visual interest follow the lead of the sustainable services design. On the exterior, coloured and faceted precast concrete panels with accompanying sunshades visually articulate the façade while significantly reducing solar gain. What is refreshingly bold about this project is that the architecture and services direct the interior planning and provide an elegant and articulate space ripe for an integrated fitout."
(8 November 2011)
Summer Research Scholar 2011/2012
Our summer scholar for the 2011/2012 period is James Sullivan from Victoria University. James is studying towards a Masters in Building Science and has a particular interest in energy performance and sustainability; his research scholarship is organised by Victoria University of Wellington's Architecture and Building Science Faculty Summer Scholars Grant, and jointly funded by Victoria University and Studio Pacific.
James' research will continue the work begun by last year's summer scholar, Stuart Taylor. This research investigated the empirical impact of various measures to reduce energy consumption in a number of newly built houses designed by Studio Pacific. Building on the results of this study, James will investigate the most economical ways of raising the thermal performance of the eight case study houses, research other factors beyond the four improvement measures included in the previous study that may have an impact on thermal performance, and examine the cumulative impacts of differing combinations of factors.
(2 November 2011)
Studio Pacific research paper selected for ANZAScA Conference 2011
A recently completed research paper written by Studio Pacific director Evzen Novak in collaboration with our 2010/11 summer research scholar Stuart Taylor and Christina Mackay, a Senior Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington School of Architecture, has been selected as a paper to be presented at the Annual Conference of the Australia and New Zealand Architectural Science Association 2011. The conference will be held at the University of Sydney in November this year.
The paper examines the thermal performance of a selection of recent Studio Pacific residential projects using modelling software AccuRate NZ. The thermal insulation, construction materials and glazing to wall ratio of each house were modelled and analysed in order to determine the efficacy and relationship of each component and to better understand how each measure can be employed to respond to the specific conditions of each architectural project. The paper investigates the empirical basis for the conventional 'rules of thumb' and finds a high degree of variability between houses in the effectiveness of each measure's ability to improve thermal performance. We anticipate that the outcomes of this research will make a valuable contribution to our understanding of thermal performance and enable design professionals to make better sustainable design decisions in future designs.
The paper can be downloaded here.
(2 November 2011)
NZIA Auckland Architecture Awards 2011
Studio Pacific's MOTAT Aviation Display Hall has also scooped two awards at the NZIA Auckland Architecture Awards, which are held annually and promote excellence in design and to advance the profession of architecture.
The Aviation Display Hall's impressive range of sustainability initiatives won the Sustainable Architecture category, with the judges' citation noting, "in this project, sustainability is thoroughly integrated with design. Material specification, natural ventilation, a thermal chimney, rainwater harvesting, the adaptive re-use of existing structure and a gas management strategy are all dovetailed seamlessly into the architecture."
The project was also the winner of the Public Architecture category. The judges commented that "the impressive and innovative use of an LVL timber structure provides an immense aircraft exhibition facility enlivened and enriched by the visual 'warmth' of timber veneer linings which contrast beautifully with the sleek aircraft on display."
(13 October 2011)
NZ Wood Timber Design Awards 2011
Two Studio Pacific projects were recognised at the NZ Wood Timber Design Awards this year.
The innovative new Aviation Display Hall at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland, entered in association with engineers Holmes Consulting Group, was the winner of the Sustainability category, which recognises buildings where timber is a key factor in achieving sustainability. It also took home the Clever Wood Solutions Award and a Highly Commended in the Engineering Excellence category.
The striking interior of The Rock at Wellington Airport was the winner of the Interior Fitout category, for use of timber that adds to the ambience and warmth of a building interior.
(13 October 2011)
The Rock wins supreme award at the BEST Awards
The Rock at Wellington Airport has been awarded the Purple Pin supreme award, given to work that raises the bar of New Zealand design, in the Spatial Design category at this year's BEST Design Awards. The project also took home a Gold Award, awarded to the best entries in each category, also in the Spatial Design category.
(12 October 2011)
Kumutoto toilets open
The new Kumutoto public toilets on Wellington's waterfront are now open. Designed by Studio Pacific architect Bret Thurston, the unique, eye-catching forms of the toilets have been the subject of much recent media attention. Each of the two toilets is fabricated from a series of concentric concrete rings fitted with an overlapping red steel shell, with a sculptural tail that rises up to provide natural ventilation. As well as providing much-needed public facilities for the area, the organic forms and bright colour of the toilets makes them a feature of the precinct.
(11 October 2011)
The Rock wins Commercial Project of the Year at Wellington/Wairarapa Master Builders Awards
The Rock terminal at Wellington International Airport has won the regional RMB Commercial project of the Year Award for Mainzeal at the 2011 Wellington/Wairarapa Master Builders Awards, as well as taking home a Gold Award and the Category Award for Industry and Infrastructure. The awards recognise excellence in construction design and contract management.
The judges' citation noted that "The Rock was a difficult build because of its complexity, shape and detailing. The site was restrictive, as the existing airport terminal had to continue to operate while building took place. Despite the complexity, the internal link to the existing building has been very well done. The outside of the building is quite radical and different, but when you go inside it is functional and has a great feel about it. The interior space is a welcoming and enjoyable place to be. The builder has made a superb job of a very innovative and extremely difficult structure to build."
The Rock will now go on to compete in the commercial section of the national competition later this year.
(10 August 2011)
Attingham Trust Scholarship
Studio Pacific congratulates Lianne Cox, who has been awarded a scholarship from the Attingham Trust to complete the highly-regarded Attingham Summer School programme in Shropshire, England. Lianne, who is one of the Studio's senior architects and a specialist in heritage architecture, will spend three weeks studying twenty-five of Britain's architecturally significant historic houses, with a particular focus on the refurbishment and strengthening of historic buildings.
(8 July 2011)
The Rock wins NZ Property Council Merit Award
The Rock terminal at Wellington International Airport has won a Merit Award in the Special Purpose Property section at the 2011 NZ Property Council Awards.
(14 June 2011)
NZ Campaign for Wool
Studio Pacific director Stephen McDougall has been appointed an ambassador for the NZ Campaign for Wool, promoting the use of New Zealand wool products in design as eco-friendly and durable alternatives to cheaper, disposable synthetic fibres.
(13 June 2011)