SOUTHERN MASTER BUILDERS HOUSE OF THE YEAR REGIONAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED

A magnificent home in Wānaka, built by Level Construction, has been awarded the Supreme House of the Year Award at the 2024 Southern Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition. From first impressions, this home was earmarked to succeed in the competition. The judges called the level of craftsmanship displayed throughout this build of the highest standard, not just in carpentry but across all trades.

This home also won the Resene New Home $2 million - $4 million category, McKenzie & Willis Interior Design Award, Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award, and a Gold Award.

An outstanding project by Velvin Building in Queenstown took out the Southern Supreme Renovation of the Year Award. Located on a tight and steep site, judges praised the work by Velvin Building to give this 1969 A-frame house a new lease on life. Despite the challenge of a difficult site, the team delivered an iconic, timeless kiwi bach that has been finished to perfection. This project also won the Builders Academy Renovation $1 million - $2 million category, Pink Batts Craftsmanship Award, and a Gold Award.

The Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition recognises the finest homes, quality builders, and craftspeople across New Zealand. This year, the regional competition saw close to 300 entries across seven regions.

The Awards are made possible thanks to the support of Altus Window Systems, Builders Academy, Bunnings Trade, CARTERS, GIB, Master Build 10-Year Guarantee, Mitre 10 Trade, Pink Batts, Plumbing World, Resene, and APL Window Solutions.

JUDGES COMMENTS:

Level Construction, Winner of the Southern Supreme House of the Year, Resene New Home $2 million - $4 million category, McKenzie & Willis Interior Design Award, Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award, and a Gold Award for a home in Wānaka

Southern Supreme House of the Year

Based on first impressions, this home was earmarked to succeed in the competition. Hidden by charred Japanese screens and block walls, at first the home appears understated until you enter its grounds and glimpse the interiors.

The level of craftsmanship displayed throughout this build is of the highest standard, not just in carpentry but across all trades, including joinery, tiling, interior block laying, and concrete work. This home is a fine example of excellent collaboration from all parties involved to produce a high-quality result.  

Resene New Home $2 million - $4 million category

Level Construction has come out on top in this competitive category by producing a home of exceptional quality, which exemplifies high accuracy in every detail. From the charred Japanese cedar screens used on the exterior, to the earthy tones of paving featured inside and outside, this home exudes precision and was a pleasure to judge. Some outstanding features include the den snug with a view out to the courtyard, the flying curved structural steel in the courtyard and the oak ceilings and linings found throughout the home.

McKenzie & Willis Interior Design Award

Upon entering this new home, the judges were immediately taken by the warmth and intimacy of the entry space. This area is rich in striking features, including stone pavers, a brick masonry wall, a dark-sarked timber ceiling, and custom-made bench seat with leather squabs. Beyond the entry, each room was a masterclass in a carefully curated interior architecture of spaces, materials, fittings, and finishes. The judges were pleased with the deft touches made in every room with materials, texture, pattern, and colour all in concert with each other. Exceptional talent and taste have resulted in this home being worthy winners of the McKenzie & Willis Interior Design Award.

Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award

This new home features two unique bathrooms, both worthy of recognition. Both the downstairs ensuite bathroom and main upstairs bathroom are stunning in design, fittings selection, and build quality. The stand out feature in the downstairs ensuite is the stunning private garden outlook from the shower. The main bathroom upstairs has a heightened sense of drama, created by the tall room proportions, green accents and natural light that filters through from the skylight. Congratulations to Level Construction on not one but two superb bathrooms in the same home.

Velvin Building, Winner of the Southern Supreme Renovation of the Year, Pink Batts Craftsmanship Award, Builders Academy Renovation $1 million - $2 million Category, and a Gold Award for a home in Queenstown

Southern Supreme Renovation of the Year

This quintessential A-frame bach has been designed with flair. The use of a variety of timbers, some new and some salvaged and reused from the existing home, combine effortlessly giving the home a real sense of warmth.

The renovation was a challenge for Velvin Building. Despite the steep and difficult site, the team were focused on quality and perfection, particularly when it came to the roof. The result is an iconic, timeless kiwi bach that has been finished to perfection.

Pink Batts Craftsmanship Award

The standout feature of this renovated home by Velvin Building is the A-frame roof. Precision in execution can be found throughout the house: in the timber decking and metal handrails, to the artisanry of the cricket flashings and roof lights installation, and the remarkable accuracy of interior finishing lines.

The judges agreed that completing this renovation scope was, itself, a fantastic effort. Achieving it to such a degree of accuracy was next level! This renovated home is a well-deserving recipient of the highest workmanship score

Builders Academy Renovation $1 million - $2 million

This 1969 A-frame house has been given a new lease on life. Located on a tight and steep site, the Velvin Building team have done an outstanding job on this complex renovation.

The base was propped off the old dirt floor to enable a large dig-out to take place and permit additional downstairs bedrooms, giving the home a bigger floor area. As you climb up the new stairs to the living room level, you are treated to stunning views of Lake Wakatipu all with an unmistakeable log cabin vibe. Heading upstairs to the top floor is via a striking black steel spiral stair - a real feature of the home.

Dunlop Builders winner of the APL Environmental and Sustainable Excellence Award and a Gold Award, for a home in Wānaka

This home built by Dunlop Builders has many notable sustainable features including solar panels, a timber subfloor, thermally broken double glazing, and SIPS-insulated walls.

Certified to Passive House Plus, the home uses no more than 15 kilowatts per hour per square metre of electricity and generates over 11,000 kilowatts of energy annually. This powers a Tesla Powerwall and heats the water. Other key sustainable features include recycled New Zealand wool insulation, clay bricks, and Abodo timber linings. A truly standout build, this home showcases Dunlop Builders' commitment to sustainability and client satisfaction.

Buildcraft, Winner of the Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 - $1 million Category and a Gold Award, for a home in Wānaka

This single-storey home by Buildcraft stands out in the crowd with its unique exterior, featuring distinctive bagged brick and hardwood timber cladding. Other stand-out characteristics include the striking vaulted timber-lined ceilings, the angled dining space, and the rounded triangular kitchen breakfast bar. The innovative and ‘out of the ordinary’ design respects the conditions of the North Lake covenant and has been executed to the highest standard.