Holmes Architecture celebrates multi-award success at ADNZ Regional Awards
AUGUST 2O26
Two homes, five awards and plenty to celebrate for the Holmes Architecture team at this year’s ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards.
Holmes Architecture has come away from the 2026 Wellington Regional ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards with a strong result, with two of the three homes entered receiving multiple awards.
The awards recognise some of the best architectural design across the Wellington and Wairarapa region, with the winning projects now progressing to the national awards in Auckland later this year.
For Holmes Architecture, the standout was Khandallah House, a challenging renovation perched above Wellington Harbour.
Originally a cold, leaky bungalow, the home underwent a near-complete transformation to create a warm, modern and resilient family home that makes the most of its elevated position and spectacular harbour and city views.
Designed by Mike Holmes, the project received three awards:
Regional Award – Home Interiors
Highly Commended – Resene Colour in Design
Commended – Residential Alterations & Additions
The judges recognised the way the design uses clerestory glazing to bring natural light deep into the home, while making the most of the difficult site and its connection to the landscape.
*article continues below
The second success came closer to home, with Woodside Bed & Breakfast in the Wairarapa receiving two awards.
Set within the Wairarapa landscape, Woodside takes a deliberately restrained approach. The long, low form sits quietly within its surroundings, framing uninterrupted views towards the Tararua Ranges.
The project received the Regional ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award and was Commended in Home Interiors.
While the two homes are very different, they share a common approach – thoughtful design that responds to the site, makes the most of natural light and views, and creates spaces that work for the people who live in them.
“We’re really proud of the result,” says Mike Holmes. “The two projects are completely different in their setting and brief, but both came down to getting the fundamentals right – understanding the site, listening to the clients and creating homes that feel like they belong where they are.”
For Holmes Architecture, the awards are also a reflection of the wider teams involved in bringing each project to life, from builders and structural engineers through to interior designers, joiners and photographers.
“We’re lucky to work with some great people, and these projects are very much a team effort. Most importantly, we’re grateful to the clients who trusted us with their homes and gave us the opportunity to do something a little different.”
The regional awards were held in Wellington on 21 August, with regional winners now progressing to the National ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards in Auckland on 30 October.
For a small architecture practice, three entries and five awards is a pretty good result – and one the Holmes Architecture team is happy to celebrate.
The Holmes Architecture team bring an extra dimension to all projects with practical knowledge and expertise combined with innovative and imaginative architectural design.
