Carolin Friese, of CF Architecture, won a total of three awards for two projects. She won the National Award for New Home up to 150sq m and the National Kaitakitanga Award for "Tall Tree House". Ms Friese also won the National Award for Home Interiors for "The Cove". Both projects are located at Mt Creighton.
The Cove is nestled in a mature beech forest at the base of a mountain range, near Queenstown. It has been carefully designed around existing trees and viewshafts towards Lake Wakatipu.
The judges said The Cove exemplified super-efficient planning and small-scale living.
The project was described as a little gem in the forest.
Ms Friese moved to Queenstown 12 years ago to embrace the mountain lifestyle and her passion for the outdoors.
As the founder of the Bob’s Cove Punatapu Community Trust, she is passionate about conservation.
Studying architecture in Germany created the foundations to become a passive house designer and this region creates a perfect opportunity to put her knowledge and experience into practice.
Her ambition was grounded in a sustainable design practice that focuses on detail, quality and simplicity.
The Tall Tree House is nestled in a mature beech forest at the base of a mountain range near Queenstown. The house aspires to be a place to rest and recover.
The judges said it had been carefully designed around existing trees and viewshafts towards Lake Wakatipu. The studio was an excellent way to achieve modern, open-plan living without a massive footprint.
— APL
