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Colourful home transformed for wheelchair user among those recognised in Auckland architecture awards

Friday, 19 June 2026

Yansané McMillan House, by Bonnifait + Associates Architects, won in the “housing - alterations and additions” category of the latest NZIA Te Kāhui Whaihanga Auckland regional awards, one of 50 projects recognised this year. The house has been made fully accessible.
Yansané McMillan House, by Bonnifait + Associates Architects, won in the “housing - alterations and additions” category of the latest NZIA Te Kāhui Whaihanga Auckland regional awards, one of 50 projects recognised this year. The house has been made fully accessible.

A colourful New Windsor home transformed to make it totally accessible for a wheelchair user is among those recognised in the latest Auckland architecture awards.

The project, known as Yansané McMillan House, by Bonnifait + Associates Architects, was awarded in the “housing - alterations and additions” category of the latest NZIA Te Kāhui Whaihanga Auckland regional awards, one of 50 projects recognised this year.

The jury said the renovation maintained comfortable family living. “Working within a modest budget, the design team approached the project with creativity, care, and strong attention to detail.

Yansané McMillan House was also given a Resene Colour Award.
Yansané McMillan House was also given a Resene Colour Award.

“Every threshold, material choice, and spatial decision has been carefully considered to support independence and improve everyday life. Small moments of colour and warmth bring personality into the home while reinforcing dignity and comfort.”

With its bold yellow front door, and yellow accents throughout, the project also won a Resene Colour Award. The jury noted how the yellow joinery “highlights the new addition on the side elevations, and combines with magenta to define interior doors”.

The jury said Roseman Whare, by Sunday Architects and Burgess Treep & Knight Architects
The jury said Roseman Whare, by Sunday Architects and Burgess Treep & Knight Architects 'creates a warm and generous family home on a subdivided site while carefully respecting the original state house behind it'.

“Together, the two colours provide visual clarity and joy, punctuating the natural pine-lined interior. The full magenta lift is a sensation.”

Twelve homes were recognised in the housing category, as well as another six in the “housing multi-unit” category.

One of those was a Mt Roskill home, Roseman Whare, by Sunday Architects and Burgess Treep & Knight Architects, which the architect helped build.

Ōmaha home Sandtrap, by Lloyd Hartley Architects, is a
Ōmaha home Sandtrap, by Lloyd Hartley Architects, is a 'carefully planned coastal home designed for a multi-generational whānau'.

The jury describe Roseman Whare as a “warm and generous” family home on a subdivided site which carefully respects the original state house behind it.

“Simple in overall form but playful in detail, the project uses colour, light, and layered spaces to create a joyful and highly liveable environment.

Te Tumu New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) won in the “interior architecture” and “public architecture” categories.
Te Tumu New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) won in the “interior architecture” and “public architecture” categories.

“Generous circulation areas and a courtyard connected to the kitchen and living spaces help bring openness and natural light into the home. Much of the house was built by the architect and family themselves, adding another layer of care and craftsmanship throughout.”

A home built for a large multigenerational family, Sandtrap in Ōmaha, north of Auckland, won for Lloyd Hartley Architects.

The project “balances togetherness with privacy through layered family spaces, six bedrooms, and a series of indoor and outdoor connections,” according to the jury’s notes.

Pt Chevalier project Garden Studio, by Henri Sayes, was built in the rear garden of an art deco duplex “as a quiet, versatile space to think, work, paint and make music”, according to the jury’s notes. “Finely detailed cedar screens provide privacy and allow the bulk of the building to recede into its surroundings. A sculptural outdoor fireplace embedded in the corner of the structure creates an external social space.”
Pt Chevalier project Garden Studio, by Henri Sayes, was built in the rear garden of an art deco duplex “as a quiet, versatile space to think, work, paint and make music”, according to the jury’s notes. “Finely detailed cedar screens provide privacy and allow the bulk of the building to recede into its surroundings. A sculptural outdoor fireplace embedded in the corner of the structure creates an external social space.”

“Relationships between laneways, stairs, and courtyards are handled with clarity and elegance, while the upper deck opens to views back toward the moana. Details are carefully resolved throughout, from the larger planning decisions to gutters and material junctions. Passive cooling strategies add another layer of sophistication.”

Te Tumu New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) and The Chief Post Office Refurbishment each won two awards, in the “interior architecture” and “public architecture” categories and the “commercial architecture” and heritage categories respectively.

Jury convenor and architect Rachael Rush, of Klein Architects, said the field of entries this year was exceptionally strong.

“[T]he jury saw the transformative impact architecture can have on our lives — shaping our cities, supporting investment, and creating communities — while the quality of heritage and renovation projects reflected a growing appreciation for adapting and renewing existing buildings.”

Rush was joined on the jury by Nicholas Dalton (TOA Architects), Kelly O'Sullivan (SGA Architects) and Brian White (Edwards White Architects).

Full list of 2026 Auckland regional winners:

Housing

Housing – Alterations and Additions

Housing – Multi-unit

Small Project Architecture

Commercial Architecture

Education

Enduring Architecture

Heritage

Hospitality

Interior Architecture

Public Architecture