An earthquake rebuild with a budget of just over $600,000 has been named New Zealand’s best house at the 2025 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards.
Mitchell Coll of Fabric took out the Supreme award for his redesign of the earthquake damaged villa in the Christchurch suburb of Somerfield.
Working within the design and budget constraints, many elements of the original building were retained including the patinaed garage, fences and driveway.
“We considered the owner’s environmental based values and tight budget; our initial discussions encouraged a forever home mindset and the retention of existing elements onsite.”
Coll said the design expanded on this aesthetic and considered “the couple’s love for some of the more traditional elements in their previous home”.
ADNZ judges said the ‘Red Pine Villa’ stood as a testament to sustainable design and contextual sensitivity.
“Post-earthquake, this project emphasises the importance of maintaining embodied memory through the recycling of materials and transportable design.
The house also received the 2025 ADNZ Resene National Award for New Home up to 150m² and the National ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award.
Coll also won the National Award for Resene Colour in Design for his work on Constructure Building in Christchurch Central.
Adam Taylor of ata for Rhythm & Greens in Mount Maunganui won the National Award for Residential Alterations and Additions, and the National Award for Home Interiors.
John Hayes of Ninethirty won the National Award for Architectural Spaces and Structures for his project, Repurposed With Purpose, in Hamilton.
Gareth Ritchie of Archco Architecture won the National Award for New Home over 300m² for his project Burntwood in Pegasus, North Canterbury.
Sam Connell of Figure & Ground won the National Award for Multi-Unit Housing for his project, Gracefield Avenue, in Central Christchurch. He also won the National Award for New Home between 150m² and 300m² for Macandrew Lane in Wānaka.
Chris Wheeler and Ashton Wright of Hierarchy Group won the National Award for Commercial Architecture, and National Award for Commercial Interiors and Fitouts for Sugarloaf at Flockhill in Lake Pearson, Canterbury.
Architectural Designers New Zealand chief executive Keryn Davis congratulated all the winners and made special mention of Canterbury’s dominance at the awards.
“Once again Canterbury has shone at these awards, with five out of eight national awards from the region, including the Supreme Award winner.
“The earthquakes, while devastating, created an opportunity for architectural designers and architects to take on projects that they could never dream of. We see this again with the Supreme Award winner. An unassuming villa, bought back to life post-earthquakes. A beautiful and respectful project.”
