WORDS MONIQUE BALVERT-O’CONNOR (UNO MAGAZINE)
Unique and aesthetically appealing, sinuous curves soften the angles and straight lines in this award-winning home, created in true collaborative style.
Collaboration led to celebration for Thorne Group Architecture (TGA) at the recent ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards in Christchurch.
TGA designed Thorne Group’s showhome in Palm Springs, Pāpāmoa, which came away from the gala event with two national awards – one as winner of the residential interiors category, the other as Resene Colour in Design category winner.
The jubilant winners say the awards are the result of a highly collaborative way of approaching a design project.
Thorne Group director and construction manager Gavin Morrow says the norm is for a house to get designed, go to the builder, then to the interior designer.
“This time, instead of working in those individual silos, we worked as a collective. Builders, project managers, suppliers, interior designer (Annique Heesen from Gezellig Interiors)... We all met at the concept stage and from there we had a shared vision, a collaborative approach and great synergy.”
Noticeably, the project also involved pushing the boat out in terms of research and development.
From Left: Annique, Jon & Gavin
Gavin tells how, for example, some of the finishes hadn’t been trialled before and that the suppliers are commended for pushing the envelope.
“It really did come down to detailing,” he says, and to everyone staying true to the brief of presenting a home that spoke of “soft coastal curves”.
This aspect was singled out by the judges, who commented, “The detailing radiates elegance and sophistication alongside a calm and understated beauty, demonstrating skill and experience from the designer.
“All the colours of this home have been carefully considered... Making the transition between spaces joyful and seamless.”
Thorne Group Architecture director Jon McAlpine says excellent architectural results often come from presenting a perception of simplicity.
“The show home features a simple material palette of plaster and cedar integrated with soft, elegant curvatures that feed through to the interior, creating effortless living. That natural palette is complimented by the home’s articulation around a central internal landscape garden. There’s a wonderful interior feel, and the living is effortless here,” says Jon of the house, which does a great job of standing out from the crowd. As the judges commented, “Adding to the overall appeal is the fact the home has been designed to gain 6 Star Homestar accreditation. “Eco-friendly materials and finishes” and “sustainability” have been guiding words in this show home project.
When this show home was completed earlier this year, predictions were that this Palm Springs beauty on Montiicola Drive was one to watch out for at architectural awards time. That prophecy has been realised.
We’ll give the judges the last words: “Exquisitely detailed and effortless.”
