in honour of colours

More than 140 entries were received for the recently announced Resene Total Colour Awards over various categories, including those for commercial and residential. Top honours went to a striking accountant's office by Paul Leuschke of Leuschke Khan Architects, debunking the myth that accountancy offices are dull and boring.

The Resene Total Colour Residential Exterior Award went to Sam Kebbell of KebbellDaish Architects in Wellington for Adsett House, a project that uses dark battens and structural columns to create a play of light and shadow. As the judges commented: "Colour is not applied to this house, it is integral. This project is different and innovative, and nicely balanced, bringing elements of excitement, stimulation and surprise… with a clever use of the combination of neutrals and delightful pink. The theme of the stripes and vertical elements is intriguing."

Colours used: Resene Alabaster, Resene All Black, Resene Alto, Resene Amour, Resene Quarter Napa.

The Resene Total Colour Residential Exterior Maestro Award recognising excellence of colour use was awarded to Darryl Church of Darryl Church Architecture, Rotorua.

"A clever patchwork of colours you would see in nature near the entry subtly leads you inside while also being reflective of the surrounding landscape. The external colour scheme was required to deliver on many levels. It needed to be respectful of the surrounding lake setting and landscape when viewed from the lake. Up close, it was to offer a rich diversity of colour and texture and, unlike most properties, it also needed to be presentable when viewed from above as the driveway descends on the house above the roof-line."

Colours used: Resene Bone White, Resene Inside Back, Resene Maxwell Smart, Resene Panzano, Resene Spirulina.

The Resene Total Colour Residential Interior Award went to Tushka Glintmeyer of Space Architecture Studio for the Kawau residence in Kapiti. "The layout and light colour scheme encourage a relaxed lifestyle while exploiting an excellent quality of natural light and views to Kapiti Island. The home is a relaxed family home and it adheres to wholesome principles – efficient orientation and planning, use of natural light and ventilation, and appropriate material and colour selection. The colour palette used in this project is highly competent with a good use and balance of colour; not everything has to be surprising. As a nation we use a lot of neutrals in our houses as they are easy to live with, and this project demonstrates how neutrals can be combined successfully with elements of interest and strength."

Colours used (some outside): Resene Alabaster, Resene Blanc, Resene Crowshead, Resene Double Drought, Resene Double Malta, Resene Drought, Resene Half Drought, Resene Kwila, Resene Pitch Black, Resene Soapstone, Resene Tsunami.

The Resene Total Colour Residential Interior Maestro Award was won by Hayley Whitehead, N & Co Architecture for the Strathmore kitchen in Wellington (previously featured in habitat magazine).

"Renovations for this kitchen came straight from the influences of Piet Mondrian's renowned block-colour artworks. In keeping with the Art Deco style of the original house, this kitchen has blended effortlessly with the existing detailing and client's vibrant deco furnishings. The simple linear shapes and staggered block-colour arrangements were the perfect canvas for painting bold and stylish Resene colours. In collaboration with the client, the final colours and their arrangement were key decisions aided by 3D CAD images and Resene colour swatches and testpots. A unique, clever palette of colours, mixed and matched with care for an original styled effect."

Colours used: Resene Blue Night, Resene Jalapeno, Resene Moonbeam, Resene Pattens Blue, Resene Soapstone.

Special Judges Mention for Bold Colour Use went to Rachel Ovens' enthusiastic use of paint on curtains in her Dunedin dining room. "Combining Resene Daredevil walls and using Resene Arapawa to upcycle a reversed thermal drape made this a brave dining room revamp that most wouldn't attempt. An interesting use of paint, innovative, exciting, demonstrating what can be achieved if you leave your decorating inhibitions at the door."

View the winners and a gallery of many of the Resene Total Colour Award entries.

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

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