Dulux Colour Awards

What the judges said...

"These Seven Colourful Little Houses will best be known for bringing colour to the suburbs and, at face value, that is an exceptional achievement, but they also represent so much more.

"Conceiving of such an initiative is courageous for this outer suburb of Christchurch, but to then get a concept with colour as the central idea across the line with developers and planning bodies is another significant feat.

"We applaud the way that the realisation of this concept has been relentlessly and carefully pursued, leading to a truly cohesive and enjoyable outcome. With beautifully balanced tonal values, from dusky blues and sage greens to red and orange, against silver and off white, these low-cost, modest dwellings add vibrancy to the streetscape.

"Each is individually tailored, with their unique palettes continued internally in fixtures, finishes and joinery.

"But it is as a collective, that their impact on the wider community can be seen, setting a precedent through reimagining the suburban sprawl. COMMON Architecture + Interiors has proven that low-cost housing can make a positive contribution to our built environments and, in doing so, create a catalyst for change in this typology."

Dulux Colour Awards 2024 jury