FUNKY: Maia Homes incorporate Renee Holtom's winning colour plans. Image supplied.

VICTORIOUS: Architecture student Renee Holtom with her Resene Total Colour Award trophy. Photo Jackie Russell.

THINK architectural abode and most people think top-end expensive homes. However, an award-winning project worked on by Renee Holtom has proven the value of enlisting talented architects in the design of an affordable and contemporary home.

The former Howick College student is completing her final year of studying architecture at Unitec and as part of her course requirement Renee must undertake work experience. Funding from Te Puni Kokiri enabled her to take up an internship with Aotearoa Construction in East Tamaki.

The company has a residential housing division, Maia Homes, which focuses on building affordable, modern and quality homes for Maori communities.

Renee worked with architect Julian Guthrie and Yellowfox design on a project that exposed her to a different element of creativity. Her role included selecting a colour plan, which resulted in Renee taking top-spot as the Rising Star in the Resene Total Colour Awards.

Three colour plans are provided, which gives the owner options to personalise their home. Renee says the colour options are aiming for a funky, modern style of living.

“We wanted to give people choice. The option we liked the best has green panels outside and we’ve taken the colour inside with one feature wall and a green splashback in the kitchen,” says Renee. “If you don’t want green you have other options.”

Green represents the cultural significance of land and flora, whereas the blue scheme symbolises water. A red colour plan reflects the dominant hues in Maori carving. The houses are built as transportable units that can be moved to a site. The design entered in the awards is a three bedroom residence comprising of two separate pavilions that are connected by a boardwalk style decking. This allows the user to separate living and bedroom areas.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect. Doing architecture at university, we don’t get down to the colour of the walls stage,” says Renee.

“It was interesting at the awards night seeing the different styles people had used. Mine was quite busy and had quite a bit of information.”