76 | ARCHITECTURE Studio John Irving 09 259 8700 www.cemac.co.nz scan to explore Working alongside Dawson Construction and Studio John Irving, Cemac delivered the kitchen, bar and joinery fit-out for Ocean Restaurant. Proud to play our part in an award-winning project. T T Nick Walker Designs embrace stunning setting Bunker Bar has become one of the resort’s most distinctive destinations. Studio John Irving Architects is celebrating a standout year after two hospitality projects at Te Arai Links received top honours at the 2026 Auckland Architecture Awards, highlighting the practice’s commitment to thoughtful design, technical excellence and quality construction. The Auckland practice collected Hospitality category awards for both the Ocean Restaurant and the Bunker Bar at the annual New Zealand Institute of Architects awards in June, with the luxury coastal golf resort dominating the hospitality category. Together with the Te Arai Links North Clubhouse by Cheshire Architects, the three venues claimed every hospitality award presented this year. Designed in collaboration with a team of specialist contractors including construction partners Cemac Commercial and Dawson Construction, and finishing experts Divine Tiling, the award-winning projects demonstrate the value of bringing together quality design and skilled craftsmanship to deliver memorable hospitality spaces. Bunker Bar has become one of the resort’s most distinctive destinations. Hidden within a coastal sand dune, the venue is deliberately concealed from the surrounding golf course before revealing itself through a descending staircase that leads guests into an intimate subterranean lounge and bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The compact venue makes a strong architectural statement through its carefully considered planning rather than its size. A dramatic sunken lounge creates a sense of arrival while framing expansive ocean views, and a curved central bar becomes the focal point of the space, encouraging conversation and interaction. The design embraces the atmosphere of its unique setting while remaining understated within the surrounding landscape. Ocean Restaurant offers a very different hospitality experience while maintaining the same disciplined approach to design. Positioned above the 18th green with panoramic views across the coastline, the building follows a simple rectangular form protected by generous eaves that provide shelter throughout the seasons. The restaurant is organised along a central spine that guides visitors through a welcoming arrival space, lounge, main dining area, and a covered outdoor room that can be opened on calm days while remaining comfortable yearround beneath a translucent roof. Interiors by Jenni Kayne complement the architecture with a warm, cohesive material palette that gives the restaurant its own identity within the wider resort. The judges recognised the sophistication of Ocean Restaurant’s design, noting the careful integration of practical elements such as ventilation, drainage, and hospitality infrastructure alongside architectural features including raised bar seating that enhances the guest experience. Bunker Bar was acknowledged for its memorable character, intimate atmosphere, and inventive response to its unusual location. Founded by John Irving after almost a decade working in Berlin and London, Studio John Irving Architects has spent the past 20 years building a reputation for simple, carefully resolved architecture that balances contemporary design with lasting appeal. Based in the historic former Auckland Gas Works administration building overlooking Victoria Park, the practice focuses on collaborative relationships and well-considered design outcomes across a broad range of projects. The success of the Te Arai Links projects reinforces the studio’s reputation for producing architecture where quality detailing, strong collaboration, and skilled construction combine to create hospitality spaces that leave a lasting impression.
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