Black ‘barn’ wins national architecture award

An innovative black barn structure has been awarded the 2014 Supreme National ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Award. It was designed by Waikato designer Tane Cox of Red Architecture.

This year’s winner, “Modern BarnForm,” is a design centred on two black barn-like structures at Whatawhata in the Waikato. 

One of the black barn structures houses the main living and sleeping areas for the property while the entry and ablutions are in block forms to the south. 

The secondary black barn form holds the garage, which is detached from the main dwelling.

Staying true to barn typology, a vertical run steel was chosen as the primary cladding. Bricks from a warehouse that was a casualty of the Christchurch earthquakes were recycled and used as cladding for the block forms on the south side. 

A cedar-clad recess was cut at the centre of the house and provides a covered outdoor area to the home while creating an outdoor foyer with framed views from the entry and loft. 

The recess also functions as a passageway to a deck.

Modern Barn Form designer Tane Cox says he loves projects that begin with an idea and grow into a design that embraces the idea.

“It’s a home that the client has been stoked with and, although modest in appearance, the two black barn-like structures are hard to miss when they reveal themselves as you wind round a quiet country road, said Cox. 

“The house won’t be everyone’s idea of perfect but I think the approach to the design is an important aspect that anyone can take on board regardless of whether they want to spend a little or a lot. 

To me, there’s nothing worse than a house that’s designed around a grand entrance or a certain new cladding material or a “style” or “feature” that is not fitting for the environment. 

Designs that are simple and fit the context will always in my opinion achieve their architectural responsibility.” 

ADNZ general manager Astrid Andersen said Tane Cox’s work is an exciting glimpse at where young designers are taking home design in New Zealand.

“This design is a true testament to the innovation and creativity of young New Zealand designers – in particular it demonstrates how young designers are proving inventiveness and good design are possible with a limited budget. 

The judging panel was impressed with the work of the Waikato designer, commenting that the design was a fresh interpretation of a traditional form.

“A disciplined palette of colours and materials is enriched by the use of recycled materials and off the shelf elements. 

It is a clever and economical design using simple yet effective material selection creating a warm, functional, modern, industrial home,” they say.

Mr Cox also won the award for the 150-300m² new home architectural design award. He was joint winner of the residential interiors architectural design award.

Eight other designs from across the country and awarded national awards at the ceremony. They were:

• Ducansby Rd in Red Beach, Auckland designed by David Maurice of Ltd Architectura;
• Norton House in Coromandel Town designed by Kris Wilson of Design House Architecture Ltd;
• SoYo in Christchurch designed by Chris Wheeler of Hierarchy Ltd;
• Marina Point in Fiji designed by Greg Young of Life Style Architecture;
• Il Viaggio in Shotover River by Gary Todd of Gary Todd Architecture;
• Heritage View Townhouses in Dunedin by Brent Alexander of The Design Studio; and
• SiloStay in Little River by Pippin Wright-Stow of F3 Design
• Redwood Visitors Centre - Public Toilets in Rotorua by Darryl Church of Darryl Church Architecture Ltd.

The judging panel for the 2014 ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Awards included Dr Andrew Barrie, professor of design at the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning, Dr Duncan Joiner, chief architect at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Graham Sawall, award-winning architectural designer and life member of ADNZ.

The supreme award winner is selected from across all categories including commercial design, residential new homes, alterations and multi-unit dwellings.

Architectural Designers New Zealand is a professional body for architects and architectural designers of New Zealand.