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‘God’s work’: From earthquake-damaged church to social housing, and the 1880s villa given new life
The Here Awards honour an 1880s villa renovation and a Christchurch church transformed into social housing.
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The Here Awards have recognised outstanding New Zealand architecture, with a Christchurch social housing project winning top honours. The Oxford Terrace Baptist Church redevelopment by Andrew Barrie Lab won Best House Aotearoa 2026 for transforming an earthquake-damaged site into dignified community housing.
The Reuse and Renovation Award went to Gardener’s Rest, an 1880s Remuera villa thoughtfully updated by Megan Edwards Architects. Other awards celebrated innovative new builds, small projects, and exceptional use of colour and craft.
The 140-year-old house has only had a handful of owners since it was built in the 1880s. Photo: Sam Hartnett
A beautiful timber screen blends effortlessly with the existing timber panelling and doors. Photo: Sm Hartnett
The Here Awards Best House Aotearoa 2026 winner is Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Stage 2, an ambitious social housing project in Christchurch. Photo: Sam Hartnett
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The Oxford Terrace project has been specifically designed to encourage a sense of community. Photo: Sam Hartnett
A bird’s-eye view of Upsticks, a Northland house by Spacecraft Architects that “flips indoor-outdoor living on its head”. Photo: David Straight
Upsticks Here award. Photo: David Straight
Summerhill Community Shed in Pāpāmoa, designed by Leith Macfarlane is the Small Project winner. Photo: Sam Hartnett
There’s a warm simplicity of materials that suits the coastal community. Photo: Sam Hartnett
Red Threads by Pac Studio highlights the clever transformation of a traditional villa. Photo: Sam Hartnett
Oakura Bach by Paul Davidson was a finalist in the New House awards, with the judges saying this house “does many things well”. Photo: Simon Wilson
Oakura bach by Paul Davidson Here awards was praised for its “sense of completeness on what can only be described as an ambitious budget”. Photo: Simon Wilson
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