Venerable buildings win awards for Auckland architects

Designs for two of Auckland’s more venerable buildings have won Peddle Thorp Architects three prestigious categories in the annual NZ Institute of Architects Local Awards – the most won by any Auckland practice this year.



The recently-refurbished landmark Auckland city building ‘21 Queen Street’ – formerly known as Downtown House – has won in both the commercial and the sustainable categories.



Peddle Thorp also took out the heritage award for its restoration and adaptation of the ‘New Greys Ave’ for the Auckland Hebrew Congregation and Kadimah College in the city.



The waterfront-facing 19 storey building at 21 Queen Street was originally built in the 1970s. In June 2010, after a substantial renovation that included all new façade, five additional floors and new building services, it achieved a 5-star ‘As Built’ certified rating from the NZ Green Building Council.


The building’s focus is ‘clean & green’ with super high performance ‘low E’ double glazing that delivers occupant comfort while achieving very high levels of natural light. ‘Active’ and ‘passive’ chilled beams deliver occupant comfort with very low energy use.

Located in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Britomart transport hub, the building provides a healthy work environment, sustainability, stylish interiors and exteriors while carefully reusing the existing structure.


Five new levels were added and space allocated for rain water harvesting tanks, cycle and foot commuter shower and changing facilities and recyclable material storage and collection.



Completed in late 2009 after only 19 months of construction, the project is the first significant refurbishment of a large scale CBD high rise building.



The New Greys Avenue



The Greys Ave building began life more than 40 years ago as a community centre and school for the Auckland Hebrew Congregation.



Originally designed by John Goldwater, the building is scheduled ACC Heritage ‘Category A’ due principally to ‘style, design and interior, social context, location and intactness’ scoring.



Today the site houses both the community facilities and Kadimah College and over time the school and community’s requirements have naturally changed. Peddle Thorp’s client’s space requirements were primarily the need to increase the school’s role of 120 to around 360.



The very large synagogue was suggested as the best place to accommodate the new classrooms, which are located on terraces the reinforce the Synagogue as both a spatial and cultural centre. Materials have been replicated and repaired where possible, and new elements are clearly identified materially.



Spaces surrounding the courtyard were freed for other uses and remodelled to accommodate common areas where they support the communal centre courtyard. A double height lobby was also established.



Peddle Thorp director Richard Goldie says the practice is very pleased to have won the three awards.



“It’s a great reflection of our clients’ commitment and the sheer dedication of our staff and the entire project team.



“These awards are a much-appreciated endorsement of our works by the architectural community. We would like to offer our congratulations to all the NZIA awards winners which showcased a stunning body of work that are a great asset to the region.”



The NZIA Local Architecture Awards celebrate quality, competent new architecture at a community level and are the first level of achievement in the annual three-tier New Zealand Architecture Awards programme



Judges assess each project in terms of criteria such as the relationship of the building to its site, context and presence, light, colour, texture and spatial qualities, environmental performance and contribution to the advancement of architecture.



Issued for Peddle Thorp by Pead PR