Housing builds of the year

Builders in Canterbury overcame earthquake conditions to triumph, winning Supreme Awards in the Canterbury Registered Master Builders 2014 House of the Year.

Chris Beer Construction won the new house of the year award for a house in Sumner – only 400 metres from the epicentre of the February 22 earthquake. The firm took five regional awards, including a Gold Award and category win for the Westpac New Homes over $2 million, as well as the Craftsmanship Award, Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award and the Canterbury Registered Master Builders Supreme Award for the 2014 House of the Year.

The judges applauded Chris Beer Construction for overcoming a wide range of challenges to create a flawless finished product.

“The team suffered the aftermath of damaged structure and restricted access,” they said.

“In spite of numerous challenges, the skill of the builder and his ability to work through problems has led to a build of extremely high quality. The juxtaposition of tilt slab and extensive timber was incredibly well detailed, and the workmanship throughout the home should be commended.”

NZ Mainco was awarded the Canterbury Registered Master Builders Supreme Award for the 2014 Renovation of the Year, as well as a Gold Award and overall category win for the ITM Renovation Award $250,000 – $500,000.

The winning home impressed judges who said this complete renovation was carried out by a skilled and competent builder who has set the standard for project management on an extremely difficult site.

“Responding to a brief to strengthen the home against weather conditions and natural disasters, the builder excelled in transposing the original build into a robust, modern home,” they said.

East Coast

A complex build in Havelock North and a renovation in Gisborne won the Supreme Awards in the East Coast region.

Welch Builders & Construction took seven regional awards, including a Gold Award and the Carters New Homes $1 – $2 million category, as well as the Supreme Award for House of the Year. The company also received the Craftsmanship Award, Heart of the Home Kitchen Award, Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award and the Resene Sustainable Home Award.

Currie Construction (2012) was awarded the Supreme Award for Renovation of the Year, as well as the Renovation Award up to $250,000. The company also won the Future-Proof Building Renovation Award over $500,000 with another Gisborne entry.

The judges said Welch Builders & Construction’s winning home was a complicated build on a very exposed site, sitting in the hills above Havelock North.

“This was a complex build and design that fostered a range of challenges for the builder. An unusual brief, this home was built for two families who wanted the option of being able to live autonomously or as separate families,” they said.

Marlborough, Nelson, West Coast

A new home in St Arnaud and a renovation in Blenheim won the supreme awards in the region.

Harris Builders took out four awards, including a gold award and category win for the James Hardie New Homes $450,000-600,000 award, as well as the Craftsmanship Award and the Marlborough, Nelson and Supreme Award for 2014 House of the Year.

Roger Hogg Builders was awarded the 2014 Renovation of the Year award, as well as a Gold Award and overall category win for the Future-Proof Building Renovation Award over $500,000.

The judges applauded Harris Builders for a build they say is a perfect response to the client’s brief.

“The brief to the builder was to create a holiday home that catered to summer days on the lake and winter days in the snow. Using extensive cedar and metal cladding, the unique materials and impeccable craftsmanship work together to create a home that ticks all the boxes,” they said.

Taranaki

A family home in Taranaki, built by Fowler Homes Taranaki, has been awarded the Supreme Award in the Taranaki region awards.

Fowler Homes Taranaki took a Gold Award and category win for the James Hardie New Homes $450,000 - $600,000 award, as well as the Supreme Award for House of the Year. The company also received two Gold Awards, a category win and the Craftsmanship Award for other entries.

The judges praised Fowler Homes Taranaki for a high-quality build that lends itself well to its surroundings.

Southern region

A new build in Queenstown and a renovation in Wanaka have been named this year’s finest Southern homes.

John Gavin Construction won five awards for a home in Queenstown, including a Gold Award and the Westpac New Homes over $2 million category, as well as the Supreme Award for House of the Year. The company also received the Craftsmanship Award and Outdoor Living Award.

Dunlop Builders was awarded the Supreme Award for Renovation of the Year, as well as the Future-Proof Building Renovation Award over $500,000 for its Wanaka renovation.

The judges said John Gavin Construction’s winning home was a complex build, boasting immaculate detailing on a grand scale.

“The design of this home required a builder of extraordinary skill in both domestic and commercial architecture. Coupled with a difficult site and testing climatic factors, this home posed its fair share of challenges,” they said.

Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau

Haimes Building in Taupo won both Supreme Awards in the Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau region.

Haimes Building won seven regional awards for its two entries. Its supreme award-winning house of the year also scooped the Gold Award and category win for the Carters New Homes $1 - $2 million, as well as the Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award, while the Supreme Award-winning Renovation of the Year collected a Gold Award and category win for the ITM Renovation Award $250,000 - $500,000.

The House of the Year winning home impressed judges who said, “This was an extremely small and restrictive site on a corner overlooking the lake. The builder faced a spate of challenges in terms of access, excavation and shocking weather on a very exposed site.

“The end result is mind blowing. With exceptional craftsmanship and faultless detailing throughout the home including a spectacular vertical timber wall in the stairway, the builder’s attention to detail goes well beyond what the architect calls for.

The judges also praised Haimes Building for its alteration and addition project that won the Supreme Renovation of the Year. “The builder managed to retain the character of this 1950s home, despite the fact that it was a very large operation. Marrying the old with the new was a real challenge in this build, and it was executed incredibly well,” they said.

Manawatu-Wanganui

A family home in Palmerston North built by Stonewood Homes PN was awarded the Supreme Award in the Manawatu-Wanganui.

Stonewood Homes took out six regional awards, including a Gold Award and category win for the PlaceMakers New Homes $350,000 - $450,000, as well as the Supreme Award for the 2014 House of the Year.

The company also received a Gold Award, category win and the Craftsmanship Award for a home in Feilding entered into the James Hardie New Homes $450,000 - $600,000 category.

Waikato

A new home in Hamilton and a renovation in Whangamata were named this year’s finest Waikato homes.

Greg McGovern Construction took five regional awards, including a Gold Award and category win for the PlaceMakers New Homes $350,000-450,000, as well as the Resene Sustainable Home Award, Craftsmanship Award and the Supreme Award for the 2014 House of the Year.

Beach House Builders was awarded the 2014 Renovation of the Year Award, as well as a Gold Award and overall category win for the Renovation Award up to $250,000.

Greg McGovern Construction’s winning home impressed judges who said,

“The phenomenal quality of construction and response to a very bold design made this home a worthy winner of the Supreme Award.”

Gold Award winners from the regions will now be re-judged to find the National Gold Reserve finalists, to be announced in early September. National category winners and the Registered Master Builders Supreme Awards for Renovation of the Year and House of the Year will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland in November.