London's New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner is among outstanding projects recognised in the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2009 New Zealand Architecture Awards.

Seventeen other projects are also honoured in the country's premier competition for design and architecture. A maximum of three New Zealand Architecture Awards can be presented across 10 categories.

They range from Wellington's groundbreaking sustainable Meridian Building to a school for children with disabilities, an Auckland streetscape, Queenstown mountain retreat and a Christchurch pumpstation.

Auckland had the largest number of winning projects with eight awards and Athfield Architects Ltd was the stand-out practice with wins in five categories.

Gerald Parsonson, of Parsonson Architects, convenor of the awards jury, said the national judging process had sparked positive discussion about the importance of architects in urban design.

"As part of the process we met with some senior council managers," he said. "There was a lot of discussion about how we can energise cities and towns.

"Many European councils employ architects to work extensively in this area. This is something we would like to see more widely in New Zealand as many cities and towns face the question of how they can create and sustain really effective working communities."

The winning projects will now be considered for the New Zealand Architecture Medal, to be announced in May. Only one Medal may be awarded each year.

The New Zealand Memorial, a winner in the International Architecture category, was designed by a team from Athfield Architects Ltd in association with Dibble Art Company (sculptor) of Palmerston North.

It marks the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United Kingdom and our shared sacrifice during times of war. It consists of 16 cross shaped vertical bronze standards set in formation on a grassy slope.

"The New Zealand Memorial is an urban design project that makes a statement in a sculptural and poetic way," said Mr Parsonson. "The slanted cruciform stakes set in a grid pattern conjure up many images."

The Meridian Building, by Wellington's Studio Pacific Architecture in association with Peddle Thorp Architects and the new Selwyn District Council Buildings by Athfield Architects, were winners in Sustainable Architecture.

The Selwyn District Council Buildings was also a winner in the Public Architecture category along with Wilson School at Takapuna, by Opus Architecture, and Tauranga Art Gallery by Mitchell & Stout Architects Ltd.

Residential Architecture awards went to a Queenstown mountain retreat by Fearon Hay Architects Ltd, the Cameron Farmer House in Freemans Bay, Auckland, by Gerrad Hall Architects and a home in Leigh, Auckland by Tennent + Brown Architects.

The Thackeray Street Apartments in Hamilton by Mercer & Mercer Architects Ltd was a winner in Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing, and the Auckland City CBD Streetscapes - Queen Street project, by Architectus Auckland, triumphed in Urban Design.

The RCP Building in Parnell, Auckland by RTA Studio, and a house and office in Leek Street, Auckland, by Simon Twose Architect Limited, took Commercial Architecture Awards.

The restoration, conservation and interpretative installation project at the Colin McCahon Cottage at Titirangi, by Pearson & Associates Architects with Graeme Burgess in association, and the restoration of St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, by Warren and Mahoney were winners in the Heritage section.

The University of Otago School of Medicine and Health Science in Wellington, by Athfield Architects Ltd, carried off the honours in Interior Architecture.

The Pumpstation 11 pumping station in Christchurch, by City Solutions, and the Len Lye Water Whirler Pier in Wellington, by Athfield Architects Ltd, were both winners in Small Project Architecture.

Judges evaluated entries against criteria including the relationship of a building to its site and context, design quality, building form, structure and spatial qualities. User satisfaction and environmental aspects were also taken into account.

The main consideration for the judges in assessing projects is how well a project resolves key design issues and then builds on this solution to "contribute to the advancement of architecture".

The New Zealand Architecture Awards were established by the NZIA to celebrate the innovation, creativity and excellence of projects nationwide.