08 Nov 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.'
The Rock, Wellington Airport
The Customhouse, Wellington