The 16th annual Resene Total Colour Awards ceremony was held in Auckland last night, celebrating a diverse and colourful range of commercial, public and residential projects from across New Zealand and Australia.
Generally acknowledged as the benchmark for excellence in colour use, the Resene Total Colour Awards once again confirmed how colour can transform and uplift the fabric of our towns and cities.
Taking home the top honour, the Resene Total Colour Master Nightingale Award – named after the Nightingale family who founded and still run Resene today – was Wellington’s Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, restored to the people of Wellington after an ambitious, six-year journey.
The judges – Sylvia Sandford, John Walsh and LauraGrace McFarland – were impressed by the calibre of all of the projects, noting how Resene products were used aesthetically and functionally to evoke emotion, define space and enhance the user experience – oftentimes satisfying all three criteria.
Congratulations to the winners and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to enter their projects in this year’s awards. We look forward to showcasing many of these projects across Resene media.
Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart by TEAM Architects Wellington and Paul Cummack Conservation in association.
Also, winner of: Resene Heritage Tone-e Award
Through careful research and a clear understanding of the building’s heritage, the project brings the space back to life with sensitivity and restraint. A renewed heritage colour palette, selected to complement the architecture, creates a calm interior that supports contemplation and focused use and demonstrates how heritage spaces can be sensitively revived to provide contemporary context. Of particular note is the careful acknowledgement and use of materials designed to enrich the authenticity of the restoration, while the refined craftsmanship elevates the architectural experience. The ceiling detailing, in particular, is handled with remarkable care and stands as an artwork in itself.
Massey House by Architecture +
Through thoughtful restoration, the distinctive character of a significant mid-century building has been brought back to life, most notably through the reinstatement of its original Resene colour palette – first specified in 1954. By returning the building to its intended expression while respecting its innovation and craftsmanship, the project tells a compelling story of architectural progress and heritage value. The result is a sensitive and celebratory restoration that ensures this important building can once again be appreciated for its beauty, ingenuity and place in the architectural narrative of the city.
Ka Mua Ka Muri by Boffa Miskell
The work feels grounded in the natural origins of its material, carrying that story forward into a carefully crafted final object. What makes the piece particularly compelling is the way it allows the viewer to sense the journey from raw material to finished form. The restrained use of colour is highly effective. There is just enough to emphasise the form, while the Resene Woodsman stain is used skilfully to reveal the texture and natural graining of the timber, celebrating rather than concealing the character of the wood.
Yellow Post, Brick Bay by Elliot Western, Oliver Prisk, Andre Vachias, Henry Mabin and George Culling
Nestled amongst its surroundings, Yellow Post is at once declarative and harmonious. Through a disciplined use of colour, simplicity of form and a refined response to light, it establishes a confident identity within its setting, without overwhelming the landscape. Overall, this work is an uplifting and striking presence. The carefully considered colours declare the structure confidently, allowing it to stand out while still engaging meaningfully with the natural backdrop.
Into Ocean & Ice: Five Artists Reimagine Shackleton’s Antarctic by The Letter Q
Told through a mix of photography, paintings, illustrations, ceramics and interactive elements, Into Ocean & Ice examines the role South Georgia plays as the gateway to Antarctica, as chronicled by Shackleton’s ill-fated final journey and the 'Inspiring Explorers Expedition' 100 years later. The palette of richly saturated colours underscores the artworks helping to bring the artists’ stories to life in a deeply meaningful way. Credit goes to the New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa for eschewing the standard neutral backdrop usually associated with exhibitions of this type, and instead delivering a synergistic audience experience of the diverse media.
Port Tarakohe Harbourmaster and Amenities Building by JTB Architects
Situated harmoniously within its setting, a highly considered architectural form balances technical resolution with cultural expression to create a layered composition that is both protective and expressive. Subtle shadows move across richly articulated surfaces in a meaningful manipulation of light and material, where a high level of detail adds depth and texture throughout the design. The thoughtful use of materials demonstrates a strong understanding of performance: products are deployed in response to wind, salt and other harsh coastal conditions, ensuring durability without compromising beauty.
Ruakaka School New Classroom Block by designgroup architects h+k
This project receives high praise for its confident transformation of an existing building on a modest budget. The use of colour as the primary driver, demonstrates how a thoughtful, strategic use of colour can completely revivify an ageing structure. The scheme is bold and unapologetic. What could have been a cautious refresh, instead becomes a spirited reimagining, proving that creativity and conviction can achieve remarkable outcomes. It is a joyful, confident intervention that shows how buildings can be given new life through imagination and commitment.
Wainuiomata High School Redevelopment by Stephenson & Turner
This project is an exceptional example of colour drenching, executed with clarity, confidence and careful consideration. A sophisticated palette has been used strategically to define areas of importance and create pockets of excitement, guiding movement and focus throughout the space. Drawing inspiration from the local landscape, the scheme reflects a strong sense of place while demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the psychological impact of colour, showing how a carefully orchestrated palette can create a cohesive, vibrant environment that supports both learning and wellbeing.
Aro Valley Refresh by Athfield Architects
Playful, quirky and unmistakably artistic, the project captures the creative spirit that defines Aro Street and the overall character of the Aro Valley. The project feels perfectly at home in its context, adding another cheerful layer to an already colourful and expressive neighbourhood. Rather than blending into the background, this work enriches the streetscape and reinforces the lively, welcoming character of the area, embracing the Valley’s established social licence for creativity and individuality.
Biophilic Glamour by South Coast Colour
The chosen palette highlights the natural surroundings of the home set against a verdant backdrop while giving the building renewed definition and clarity. The transformation offers a striking before-and-after result, demonstrating how carefully considered colour can completely reshape the visual impact of a property. The contrast between home and setting establishes a clear sense of form, allowing the architectural lines to stand out with confidence. The anchoring stone wall and surrounding greenery work beautifully with the new colour scheme, grounding the home within its landscape while reinforcing its character.
Roseman Whare by Sunday Architects
The paint scheme works beautifully to amplify the architecture, highlighting forms and transitions while bringing clarity and character to each space. At the same time, the interior maintains a playful quality, with colours flowing naturally from room to room to create a cohesive and engaging journey through the home. The project shows how a carefully considered approach to paint and colour can elevate a DIY renovation into an expressive environment that celebrates both the architecture and the people who live within it.
Yarraville Peak by Weaver+Co Architects
An excellent example of colour drenching, Yarraville Peak succeeds in weaving together heritage and contemporary elements to create a cohesive richness through the use of a carefully curated palette. The transition from traditional features at the front to the modern interpretation at the rear, with colour acting as the unifying thread, carries occupants seamlessly through the spaces. The result is a refined yet expressive interior where the juxtaposition of old and new is seamlessly integrated through a skilful and highly considered use of colour.
ESR – Chromatic Oscillation by Drez
Refreshing and stimulating, this work transforms a large-scale built form into an opportunity for visual engagement. Where many large buildings and warehouses are constructed with little colour or character, this project demonstrates how, through a vibrant spectrum of complementary colours and a composition that creates a strong sense of movement, thoughtful design can bring energy and beauty to otherwise utilitarian surroundings. The result is a striking intervention that turns scale into an asset, delivering colour, vitality and everyday pleasure to the wider community.
Totara Store by Annabell Berry Creative Co
Vertical stripes impart a real presence while reinforcing the verticality of the building’s form. The application of colour is precise, visually guiding visitors to the point of entry and creating a clear, welcoming threshold. The palette is handled with sophistication, enticing in its softness yet striking in a way that creates a memorable arrival experience. The final, thoughtful touch comes through the choice of colour for the front door, echoing the tones of the neighbouring tree, a subtle nod to the building’s landscape.
Te Whare Awhi Ora by MODE
Through an impressive understanding of – and skilful selection from – the Resene product range, the project demonstrates a thoughtful command of both performance and aesthetic outcome. The result is a well-considered and highly appropriate application throughout. The scheme strikes a compelling balance between liveliness and restfulness. Vibrant moments of colour and texture energise the environment, while quieter tones provide areas of calm. This approach responds sensitively to the needs of the clientele, creating spaces that support a variety of emotional experiences and uses.
Denise Jillian Saso
What makes this work particularly compelling is the thoughtful handling of colour, which brings a strong sense of culture to the piece, enriching its visual impact while reinforcing the narrative behind the design. The artist has created something that both honours tradition and reinterprets it in a contemporary way. This conceptual approach elevates the piece beyond craftsmanship alone, demonstrating both technical confidence and a sensitive understanding of heritage. Overall, it is a thoughtful, very clever piece that stands out for both its idea and its execution.
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