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Earthquake rebuild on tight budget dazzles to win top award

Red Pine Villa has won the Supreme Award in this year’s ADNZ Resene Architecture Design Awards.

Last updated: 3 November 2025 | 4 min read

Architects have shown many ingenious ways to rebuild homes damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes, and the Supreme Award winner of the 2025 ADNZ Resene Architecture Design Awards is another one.

And what’s especially significant about this project in Somerfield, Christchurch, commissioned by a young couple, is the relatively low budget of the build. Mitchell Coll of Fabric was given a budget of just over $600,000, which is small compared to past prize winners.

In keeping with the design ethos, the “best house in New Zealand” incorporates elements of the original building.

The dark exterior is contrasted by the light interior to reinforce the sense of a sanctuary within. It’s also a nod to the home’s Japanese influence

“We considered the owner’s environmental-based values and tight budget,” Coll says. “Our initial discussions encouraged a forever home mindset and the retention of existing elements onsite. While deteriorated, the garage, fences and driveway now had a patina to embrace.

“Expanding on this aesthetic and considering the couple’s love for some of the more traditional elements in their previous home, we explored [the Japanese architecture styles of] shoin-zukuri and sukiya-zukuri, which incorporate wabi-sabi aesthetics with the interplay of light and shadow – reminiscent of an ageing villa.”

Although designed as a “forever home”, the house is transportable.

There’s a strong Japanese architectural influence, evident in much of the detailing.

Coll says the siting of the home and the roofline mimic the existing street fabric, with an asymmetrical cutout offering an interesting form, lightplay and better views of the mature street trees. It also offers shade in summer, while a roof window shared by the dining and living rooms captures the last of the westerly sun.

A resource consent allows for two townhouses at the rear of the site, and Coll says the new build is transportable. “The forever nature of this home has encouraged the homeowners to take care and time restoring and building elements. While much is complete, the build continues.”

ADNZ judges said Red Pine Villa, as the house is named, stands as a testament to sustainable design and contextual sensitivity.

The house glows by night.

“Post-earthquake, this project emphasises the importance of maintaining embodied memory through the recycling of materials and transportable design.

“The house respects tradition through its form and materiality, while the perforated panels allow for a dynamic play of light, creating layered and filtered interior spaces.”

The judges said its orientation gestures to the west, aligning with the streetscape proportions and ensuring futureproofing for growth and financial stability.

Red Pine Villa also received the 2025 ADNZ Resene National Award for a New Home up to 150m² and the National ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award.

Mount Maunganui house is ‘best renovation’

A Mt Maunganui renovation won the National Award for Residential Alterations and Additions.

Tauranga designer Adam Taylor of ATA won the National Award for Residential Alterations and Additions, and the National Award for Home Interiors with Rhythm & Greens in Mount Maunganui.

This house is nestled between Mt Maunganui Golf Course and the ocean. It’s a major project that transformed a neglected family home into a refined yet relaxed luxury “bach”.

ADNZ judges noted the design balances informality with elegance through layered materials, seamless indoor-outdoor flow, and warm, earthy tones. Light, texture, and playful details create a home that feels both elevated and joyfully lived in.

The judges praised the experience of “light, rhythm and calm” in the renovation.

Beautiful timbers are a feature of the interior of the Mount Maunganui house.

They called the bach “a beautifully measured architectural intervention that transforms a conventional dwelling into an experience of light, rhythm, and calm.

“Every gesture, from the carefully composed windows to the subtle transitions in scale, serves to enhance the spatial flow and elevate the everyday.”

Keryn Davis, CEO of Architectural Designers New Zealand, congratulated all the winners and noted the majority were in Canterbury.

Gareth Ritchie of Archco Architecture won the National Award for New Home over 300m² for this project Burntwood in Pegasus, North Canterbury.

Boundaries between inside and outside are blurred.

“Once again Canterbury has shone at these awards, with five out of eight national awards from the region, including the Supreme Award winner,” Davis said.

“The earthquakes, while devastating, created an opportunity for architectural designers and architects to take on projects that they could never dream of. We see this again with the Supreme Award winner. An unassuming villa, bought back to life post-earthquakes. A beautiful and respectful project.”

Other projects recognised at the 2025 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards are as follows:

Mitchell Coll also won the National Award for Resene Colour in Design for his work on Constructure Building in Christchurch Central.
John Hayes of Ninethirty won the National Award for Architectural Spaces and Structures for his project, Repurposed With Purpose, in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton.
Gareth Ritchie of Archco Architecture won the National Award for New Home over 300m² for his project Burntwood in Pegasus, North Canterbury.
Sam Connell of Figure & Ground won the National Award for Multi-Unit Housing for his project, Gracefield Avenue, in Central Christchurch. He also won the National Award for New Home between 150m² and 300m² for Macandrew Lane in Wānaka.
Chris Wheeler and Ashton Wright of Hierarchy Group won the National Award for Commercial Architecture, and National Award for Commercial Interiors and Fitouts for Sugarloaf at Flockhill in Lake Pearson, Canterbury.