A phenomenal Christchurch build, an enchanting Raglan hideaway and an Auckland suburban paradise pick up this year’s Registered Master Builders House of the Year honours.
This year, the competition had nearly 300 entries across nine regions with 78 homes featuring CARTERS as the main material supplier. National winners were announced at a celebration gala held at Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch on 25 November.
In judging the entries, House of the Year judge Faye Pearson-Green was impressed by the calibre of homes describing how builders continue to push the boundaries with the use of materials, showcasing new ways of working with traditional products and complex architectural detailing. “It was positive to see more conscious decisions over environmental choices and a focus on reducing carbon footprints.”
Recognising the skill, passion, and teamwork it takes to deliver quality homes for New Zealanders, these awards are the pinnacle prize in Kiwi residential construction and CARTERS would like to congratulate all the winners for being beacons of brilliance in the New Zealand building industry.
National Supreme House of the Year Over $1 million
A ‘remarkable 950sqm Z-shaped house, grounded in its history’ has taken out one of the Supreme awards for 2023. The Christchurch site was once home to a large two-storey, multi-generational family house which fell victim to the 2011 earthquakes.
Architects RTA Studio were engaged to design a resilient new home with strong references to the old. This brick-built work-of-art-home in Fendalton was designed and made to be as sustainable as it is stylish. A low-energy heating and light system, solar panels, high levels of insulation, low water use, natural ventilation, warm-roof technology and biophilia (nature-connected) principles were all employed in this high-end home, with five bedrooms spread along its diagonal wing. A warm-roof system has acoustic fabric and cedar battens with secret clips.
Along the upper horizontal section of the building is a gym, garage, kids’ lounge, and laundry, while the bottom houses a stretch of multiple living spaces, kitchen with scullery linked to an outdoor barbecue area and entertaining zone. It also boasts a surrounding orangery, pool, tennis court and a clever connection to a well-established garden.
Alongside the Supreme award, this home also won the National New Build Over $4 million award after picking up a raft of Canterbury Regional awards - Regional Supreme House of the Year, Regional Pink Batts Craftsmanship, Regional New Home over $4 million, Regional Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence, Regional Kitchen Excellence and Regional Gold.
National Supreme House of the Year Under $1 million
A coastal creation in Raglan has been bestowed top honours. Overlooking the harbour, framed by two old pōhutukawa trees, this picture perfect house was built to replace an original, faded family bach. Impeccably constructed by FV Design and Build, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-living room newcomer ‘makes astute use of the space available in its 173sqm footprint’.
Constructed over three levels, with engineered block foundations, its decks offer protection from wind and sun, while a covered outdoor area with a louvre roof and walls leads to a stylish kitchen and living area. Heated, polished, coloured-concrete floors contrast plywood and cedar walls, which frame additional touches, such as a feature halo light that casts star-studded reflections on the ceiling. A solid plaster fireplace over aerated stone adds warmth, while surfers are catered for with an exterior shower to wash away sea salt and sand.
National Supreme Renovation of the Year
Glenbuild was awarded this title as well as National Renovation Over $1.5 million for its work on a Kohimarama home. ‘An oasis in the suburbs’, this 460sqm masonry house underwent a complex renovation, including a 60sqm extension with gym, enlarged dining area and new European kitchen. Large masonry walls had to be removed and steel beams used to create openings. An existing side patio was given a new timber-framed louvre roof and hanging fireplace. Its three bathrooms received luxe Venetian-style plaster render and top-of-the-range treatment as part of this ‘highly technical,
seamless renovation’.
National CARTERS New Home $1 million - $1.5 million
The House Company won this category for its Whangateau build in the Auckland/Northland/Coromandel region. This ‘enchanting waterfront hideaway’, spans 175sqm and ‘embraces durability and charm, effortlessly blending with its natural surroundings’.
Clad in elegant aluminium and dark-stained vertical cedar, it is nestled among native trees and includes decorative feature screening. The expansive kitchen and living space seamlessly connect to the outdoor area through generous sliders, opening to a deck that spans the length of the home. An integrated Engel fire and louvre system creates warmth, while a glass balustrade provides unobstructed views of the estuary. Environmental sustainability was a key consideration, with an underfloor ducted recovery heat pump, while low-E glass and thermal
heart aluminium joinery adding to the ‘architectural brilliance by the water’s edge’.
