A striking holiday home in Russell and a revolutionary Auckland office building took out the supreme awards at the national Registered Master Builders 2008 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards, in association with PlaceMakers.
The national winners were announced at a gala dinner at the SKYCITY Convention Centre in Auckland where Minister for Building and Construction Maurice Williamson joined more than 700 builders and industry leaders to celebrate the best new homes and commercial buildings in New Zealand.
The 2008 House of the Year was awarded to Lindesay Construction Ltd for Te Whare Hoiho, an elegant, low-maintenance holiday retreat at Paroa Bay, near Russell.
The architecturally-designed home uses steel, glass and corrugated iron to create a striking structure, and takes full advantage of spectacular Bay of Islands vistas and sunsets.
Hard to fault
One of the competition’s national residential judges Guy Evans says it was hard to fault the property.
“From a category with a range of outstanding entries, this home was unique — it blew us away,” Mr Evans says.
“The extremely demanding design of this home left no room for error in the builder’s execution. The property has been put together with exquisite detail, resulting in a home the owners see as a work of art.”
For the second year in a row, Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd was awarded the RMB Commercial Project of the Year. The company’s winning entry this year was Sovereign House, at Smales Farm on Auckland’s North Shore.
Commercial judge Rolly Adams says Sovereign House was a supreme effort by all concerned, and is a building where the people who work there have been put first.
Outstanding performance
“The outstanding performance of Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd and all the subcontractors under their care has resulted in a building which sets a new and exciting standard for the workplace in 2008 and beyond,” Mr Adams says.
Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive Warwick Quinn says he was extremely impressed with the standard achieved in the 2008 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards.
“As someone who has only been with RMBF for a matter of weeks, I am blown away by the calibre of the properties that have been entered in the competition,” Mr Quinn says.
“It’s a real tribute to the construction industry, and augers well for our future in these testing economic times.
“My sincere congratulations go out to all the Gold Reserve Finalists and national category winners.”
David Edwards, chief executive of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, says the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition shows the quality and high standards of building in New Zealand.
“PlaceMakers is proud to support this competition and help recognise and reward excellence in the construction industry.
“We congratulate all National Gold Reserve finalists and this year’s national award winners,” Mr Edwards says.
The 100 finalists — all National Gold Reserve Award winners — were selected from more than 650 entrants in 20 regional competitions held throughout June, July and August.
Registered Master Builders 2008 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards,
in association with PlaceMakers
National Winners
PlaceMakers Supreme Award and 2008 Registered Master Builders House of the Year
Lindesay Construction Ltd
Site location: Paroa Bay, Russell
PlaceMakers Renovation Award
$250,000 – $500,000
McKenzie Builders Ltd
Site location: Waikuku Beach, North Canterbury
PlaceMakers Renovation Award over $500,000
Bonham Builders & Management Ltd
Site location: Castor Bay, Auckland
New Homes $250,000 – $350,000
Alpine Homes NZ Ltd
Site location: Cromwell
New Homes $350,000 – $450,000
Glencoe Construction Ltd
Site location: Rotorua
New Homes $450,000 – $650,000
S & J MacKay Builders Ltd
Site location: Waikanae
New Homes $650,000 – $1 million
Lindesay Construction Ltd
Site location: Paroa Bay, Russell
New Homes over $1 million
P W Design & Build Ltd
Site location: Taupaki, Auckland
Nulook Builder’s Own Home Award
Metzger Builders Ltd (MBL)
Site location: Belfast, Christchurch
James Hardie Show Home Award
Ezebuild Ltd
Site location: Nelson
Department of Building and Housing Sustainable Homes under $500,000
Future Homes NZ Ltd
Site location: Taupo
Meridian Sustainable Homes $500,000 – $1 million
Carlton Richards Ltd
Site location: Nelson
Sustainable Homes over $1 million
Haimes Building Ltd
Site location: Taupo
Lifestyle Awards
GIB Living Solutions® Award
Haimes Building Ltd
Site location: Taupo
Pink® Batts® Ultra® Energy Efficiency Award
Future Homes NZ Ltd
Site location: Taupo
Heart of the Home Kitchen Award
Carlton Richards Ltd
Site location: Nelson
Mico Bathrooms Excellence Award
Ezebuild Ltd
Site location: Nelson
Future-Proof Building™ Award
Bonham Builders & Management Ltd
Site location: Castor Bay, Auckland
RMB 2008 Commercial Project Awards
2008 RMB Commercial Project of the Year
Mainzeal Property & Construction Ltd
Site location: Sovereign House, Takapuna, Auckland
QBE Insurance Retail and Business Project
Mainzeal Property & Construction Ltd
Site location: Sovereign House, Takapuna, Auckland
Health Project
Hawkins Construction Ltd
Site location: WAIATARAU – Waitakere Acute Mental Health Unit, Waitakere
Education Project
McMillan & Lockwood PN Ltd
Site location: Mana Tamariki Te Kohanga Reo and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori, Te Reo Immersion School, Palmerston North
Pacific Steel Industrial/Utility Project
Stanley Construction Ltd
Site location: RAL Turoa High Noon Express Terminal Building, Turoa Ski Field, Mt Ruapehu
Tourism and Leisure Project
Hawkins Construction Ltd
Site location: Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute) in Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
