Two central Wellington buildings have won top prizes in New Zealand's architecture awards, the Dominion Post reports.

Conservation House, in Manners St, was one of three national winners in the New Zealand Institute of Architects Supreme Awards announced yesterday. Conservation House was designed by Wellington firm Architecture+, and is a conversion of the former Hoyts Mid City cinema complex which closed in 2003. It is the city's first five-star green building.

Judging convener Pip Cheshire said Conservation House would be a benchmark for the future adaptation of existing buildings.

The $20 million redevelopment opened up the formerly dark cinema building, with full-height double-glazing facing the street and multi-floor skylights ensuring plenty of light for all parts of the building.

Recycling - of food, paper, plastics and rainwater - was incorporated into its design. "That's appropriate because it's a recycled building, " said developer Ian Cassels, of The Wellington Company.

In August 2007 a Seattle-based environmental website listed it as the world's ninth top green building. "That's a phenomenal achievement. We were up against $500 million buildings. It says a lot about Kiwi ingenuity and resourcefulness."

Massey House, in Lambton Quay, one of Wellington's first high-rise buildings, won an enduring award, more than 50 years after it opened.

Massey House - now Plunket House - was designed by Ernst Plischke for the dairy and meat boards in 1948. Mr Cheshire said that even if built now, it would still be a significant piece of architecture. "It was shockingly new and different when it was built."

It included many features common in today's green buildings, such as cross-ventilation and light wells.