Jae Warrander, Ben Sutherland, Beth Cameron and Grant Douglas from Makers of Architecture, were announced the winners of the Small Project category for their innovative two-storey studio that overlooks Lyttelton Harbour.
The project began in 2013 as part of Ben’s Master’s degree at Victoria and last year was taken up by Makers of Architecture to turn the idea into a reality.
Judges were particularly impressed with the Wellington group’s innovative use of design technologies.
Judges remarked the fully-contained, 65m² studio was “a first of its kind in New Zealand” and was “digitally designed using Building Information Modelling and the timber was cut using a Computer Numerical Control Cutter (CNCC)”.
The combined use of design software minimised building costs, time and waste, while maximising the studio’s available space. It also meant it took just three days to erect the studio.
Jae says the group is “really excited” that their new digital approach, which focuses heavily on being time, resource and space efficient, proved such a success.
“We’d never done it before and it was hard work. We didn’t make any money, but we cared about it so much.“The whole idea was to utilise every cubic metre. Our aim is to produce a really efficient building solution for affordable housing, while achieving a unique design that responds to the environment.”
Judges also lauded the design for its precision and efficiency, while also being warm, inviting and “humanist in every way”.
The win means their project is now eligible at the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ national awards.