Hiwa wins prestigious international architecture prize

Hiwa has won the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Architecture Prize, presented in partnership with the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS). The awards were announced on 28 October in Cologne, Germany, at an event to celebrate the world’s best sports and leisure architecture.

Hiwa was selected from 69 projects across 25 countries, and was one of only nine facilities to win the 2025 IOC IAKS Architecture Prize, awarded for sustainable, accessible and innovative sports and leisure facilities.

The high-tech recreation centre, which opened on 25 November 2024, was designed by Warren and Mahoney (WAM) in collaboration with MJMA Architecture and Design, Toronto. The judges recognised Hiwa for its innovative design, sustainability, accessibility and contribution to student health and well-being.

Simon Neale, chief property officer at the University of Auckland says Hiwa was constructed to be a sports and recreation facility of real quality.

“We know that Hiwa is world-class and this international award is recognition of that.”

In the past year, Hiwa has had an impact not just on staff and students, but has been used by elite sports teams, including the French national rugby side, the Silver Ferns netball side and the Kiwis rugby league team.

“Hiwa is not only a project for the University but also for the City of Auckland and for New Zealand,” says Neale. “We are proud of the contribution that it’s making to the landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau.”

The University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says the international recognition of Hiwa is a proud moment for all those involved in its development.

“This award celebrates not only architectural excellence, but our deep commitment to student well-being. Hiwa is more than a building; it is a vibrant, inclusive space that reflects our values and vision for a connected, future-focused campus.”

She says the University is part of the Healthy Campus programme initiative, developed by Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU), which is dedicated to enhancing the overall well-being of students, staff and the wider campus community.

Warren and Mahoney project principal and head of design Blair Johnston says world-class tertiary institutions are defined not only by academic excellence but also by the quality of the on-campus experience.

“At the heart of the student precinct, Hiwa has been designed to foster lifelong social, physical and mental well-being. It is a tangible expression of the University's commitment to a broader strategy aimed at fostering a connected and engaged campus community - an increasingly vital role in today’s digital and socially fragmented world.”

Since it opened, Hiwa has seen around one million visitors pass through the turnstiles, signalling its success as a vibrant hub for students and the wider community.

Hiwa’s local and international recognition underscores the University of Auckland’s commitment to innovative, accessible design and highlights New Zealand’s growing presence on the global architecture stage.

The facility has already earned many accolades, including the Supreme Award at the 2025 Property Council New Zealand Awards. It was also a finalist at the 2025 World Architecture Festival in Miami last year.