Mixing marae styles with modern architecture won Gisborne firm Nicoll Blackburne two prizes at the Gisborne-Hawke's Bay regional architecture awards.
The Maori Land Court's new Gisborne offices and courtroom was a winner in the pubic architecture category, as was a new senior school for Ngata Memorial College in Ruatoria.
James Blackburne, who worked on both designs, told Waatea News the aim was to use suitable elements such as amo and raparapa.
He says the courthouse incorporated work by Tairawhiti artist Derek Lardelli, which was put into the windows so it became part of the building.
