"As far as people shaping Auckland goes, no one's doing it more literally than Chris Stevens from architectural design studio CTRL Space, responsible for some of our most-loved restaurant interiors, including Hotel Ponsonby, Bossi, Lilian and The Nightcar. Chris and his team are having a phenomenal 2024, winning Best Australia & Pacific Restaurant in the hotel category for Metita at the prestigious Restaurant & Bar Awards in Barcelona. Locally, this Pacific-inspired restaurant from chef Michael Meredith won the Hospitality Interior Award at this year's Best Awards and Best Interior in Viva's Top 60 Auckland Restaurant Awards. In short: Metita is a showstopper.
The wins append a string of highlights this year, including a slick rebrand by Seachange to mark 15 years in business, the publication of a book (titled CTRL Space) charting the design firm's interior projects to date, and the opening of the multi-functional Drifter Hybrid Hotel for LACO in Christchurch, with its minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired design. Chris' spaces feel international, adding to the vibrant fabric of the city and creating destinations out of suburban streets. "Seeing the ripple effect a successful hospitality venue can have - not just on a client's success but on the vibrancy of entire neighbourhoods - is deeply rewarding," says Chris. "
- Johanna Thornton