2019 Design Institute of New Zealand Best Awards

Winners for the 2019 Design Institute of New Zealand Best Awards, New Zealand’s premier design awards, were announced at an awards ceremony in Auckland on Friday 4 October. Jasmax projects were shortlisted across five categories and took home seven awards.

Education projects had a strong showing with AUT’s new Ngā Wai Hono (WZ) building winning Silver in two Best Awards categories, Built Environment and Public and Institutional Spaces. The University of Canterbury’s new Ernest Rutherford Building (RRSIC – Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre) also won Bronze in the same categories.

Ngā Wai Hono, home to AUT’s city campus’ School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, was officially opened in August last year. The building’s future ready approach to learning has already been recognised, with the project winning a New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Auckland Award earlier this year. It is also shortlisted for an NZIA National Architecture award, to be announced in December.

The University of Canterbury’s Ernest Rutherford Building reflects the University’s innovative approach to science and research. The 20,000sqm showcase building brings a new heart and culturally defined identity to the centre of the University of Canterbury following the earthquakes.

B:Hive won Silver in the Office and Workplace environment category. The project has already won a host of accolades this year, including the Supreme Award at the 2019 NZ Interior Awards as well as being shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival's sister event, Inside World of Interiors. This project was delivered by BVN and Jasmax in association.

Art was also been celebrated with ‘Soapbox’, a public sculpture designed by a team of women architects and designers in collaboration with Jasmax, winning Bronze in the Exhibition and Temporary Structures category. The striking architectural sculpture was commissioned by Auckland Council to celebrate women’s suffrage in New Zealand. The sculpture was unveiled on the shores of Lake Pupukemoana (Pupuke) in Killarney Park, Takapuna in May this year.

Student design work was also praised, with Graduate Interior Designer Sophia Cameron winning Bronze in the student product category for her sustainable design project, A Circular City, which investigates how a 3D printing system could upcycle our plastic waste.

The Best Design Awards are an annual showcase of excellence in design.