Colour innovation across canvases large and small has been celebrated at the 2022 Resene Total Colour Awards
The 12th annual awards saw a bumper crop of entries, from mammoth to miniature and from vibrant colour pallets to more subdued tones.
The impressive breadth of projects included three classified under the landscaping umbrella, all of which are featured below.
Resene Total Colour Landscape Colour Maestro Award Queenslander Home Renovation at Hawthorne by Dion Seminara, Dion Seminara Architecture
With a beautiful location to work with, Dion Seminara from Dion Seminara Architecture said the plan was to make the most of the surrounding scenery.
“We felt the property’s setting, which overlooked the Brisbane River, wasn’t being utilised. The paint on the outside of the house was also faded and was weather affected.”
To make the property catch the eye, Dion said contrast was key.
“The client requested dark tones with a splash of colour. We proceeded to design a red front door to contrast her green, muted landscape. The client also wanted a space where she could grow her plants in a safe and climate-controlled environment.”
To achieve their objectives, the architects used Resene CoolColour for the darker colours to reduce the impact of heat. They selected Resene Half Fuscous Grey, Resene Nero and Resene Quarter Black White.
Talking about the project, the judges commented: "Diversity in planting and the combination of rock and retaining walls support a landscape that isn't just aesthetically pleasing but also encourages productive growing activity. The grand point of entry provides tremendous curb appeal and sets the scene for the supporting landscape."
Resene Total Colour Installation – Experiential – Product Award
The Nest by Nicholas Rowsby, Brandon Carter-Chan and Joseph Trace
Designed in response to a competition calling for a folly (an ornamental building with no practical purpose) to be placed in the Brice Bay Wines and Sculpture Trail in Auckland, The Nest draws upon inspiration from the nest building of the local pīwakawaka (fantail).
Three Masters of Architecture students, Nicholas Rowsby, Brandon Carter-Chan and Joseph Trace, were responsible for designing and installing the sculpture.
“Our concept was a transitional approach to a bird’s nest,” they explained. “As the site is a winery, the practice of collecting grapes in a basket weaved from their vine prunings inspired the approach to invoke a bowl-like form and interweaved construction.”
In line with the architect students’ desire to be sustainable, The Nest was constructed using 90% recycled timber from the previous folly that stood on the same site.
As such, they selected colours – Resene Toorak and Resene Lone Ranger – that worked well over salvaged timber.
“Following the theme of a nest, a natural colour scheme was selected, which drew from the serene landscape of the folly’s immediate surroundings. These two tones complemented each other well, with the darker Toorak lining the external skin and the lighter Lone Ranger greeting visitors to the internal experience. Resene Okey Dokey was used on the end grains of each piece to accentuate the curve created by the repeating progression of alternating pentagons, which form the structure.”
The judges added: “Each colour in this project highlights line, form and structure. Wholeheartedly embracing the ethos of circular design, the team’s strong vision is clear from the design through to the finished build. The project is distinctive yet nestles well within the landscape and is a masterclass for us all as to how old can become new again.”
Resene Total Colour Landscape Award
The Seat by Atlas Architects
Given the tricky brief of blurring the lines between old and new, inside and out, simplicity and complexity, the clients asked for a modern twist on their 1980s brown-brick, pitched-roof farmhouse.
“The property turned its back on some of the best views in Victoria,” said Aaron Neighbour, Atlas Architects director. “Our clients wanted to insert a modern yet seamlessly integrated new dimension that celebrated and centred the view and connected them to nature.”
Using a colour palette of dark, cosy and calm shades, Atlas Architects created a space that limited light reflection and brought the windows, views and natural light to centre stage.
“It creates seclusion where desired, such as the more private living spaces,” he added, “and feels expansive in other moments, as when the foyer opens up into the home’s dramatic cathedral ceilings.”
Clever design elements allow the property to make the most of the summer weather, without being overwhelmed by it, said Neighbour.
“While the new extension faces west, the large eave helps block out the majority of the summer sun. The bluestone floor is an excellent thermal mass during winter and the large door openings on the west and northwest generate a cross-breeze that cools down the house during summer.”
It’s safe to say that the judges were very impressed: "This landscape has a sense of things to come. Already beautifully integrated and breathtaking, this will become even more so once the plantings mature. The origami roof plays with the light, making one colour seem like many more nuances of colour, and the achromatic palette works wonderfully with the green foliage, helping it nestle well into the surrounding landscape."
This project uses Resene Black, Resene Bokara Grey, Resene Crowshead, Resene Half Bokara Grey, Resene Ironsand, Resene Quarter Ironsand and Resene White.