Held by the Auckland Architecture Association (AAA), the Visionary Architecture Awards recognise and promote unrestrained conceptual process and thinking on theoretical or not-yet-realised architectural projects. The awards were held Tuesday 17th November at an event at the Auckland Art Gallery.

Architectural industry experts Rewi Thompson, Dean Mackenzie, Lynda Simmons and Chris Darby judged the premier awards for unbuilt architecture.

The Visionary Architecture Awards (previously the Unbuilt Architecture Awards) are widely renowned with well over 100 entries each year from leading architectural practices and students.

The categories for 2015 were –

Visionary Architecture Award – Conceptual

The Conceptual category was open to New Zealand practicing architects, architectural graduates and related architectural professionals. Entries are conceptual in nature however must deal with an aspect of the built environment. The entry does not need to be the result of a “real world” commission.

Winner
Moving Grounds: Irrupting Three Kings’ Inverted Volcanoes by Zee Shake Lee

Runner-Up
Te Whare Tapu o Ngapuhi: ‘An Architectural Response to Taonga Revitalisation’ by Rameka Alexander-Tu’inukuafe

 

Visionary Architecture Award – Student

This category was open to students currently enrolled at a New Zealand educational institution. Entries must deal with an aspect of the built environment.

Winner
Post Civic by Robert Pak

Runner-Up
Whakapapa o Tamaki Makaurau by Hana Greer

 

Visionary Architecture Award – Work in Progress

This category was open to New Zealand practicing architects, architectural graduates and related professionals. Entries must be concept or preliminary design proposals for “real world” projects.

Highly Commended
Lauder III by Stuart Taylor

Highly Commended
Sea Whare by Hana Scott, Gaelle Mirande Broucas, Nick Sayes, Shelly Lin

 

About the AAA

The Auckland Architecture Association (AAA) is a public interface for architecture and an advocate for high quality design in Auckland. It is a voluntary association that has been serving Auckland’s built environment since 1965. Members include practicing architects, university students, designers, engineers and members of the general public who have an interest in architecture.

The association also acts as a lobby group, engaging with the council on major planning and design changes in Auckland.