Media release: Strictly embargoed and confidential until 10pm, Saturday 10 August

Auckland’s finest homes revealed

A new home build in Herne Bay and a renovation in Westmere have been named this year’s top Auckland homes, winning Supreme Awards in the Auckland Registered Master Builders 2013 House of the Year.

WG de Gruchy Construction Limited scooped five regional awards, including the Registered Master Builders Supreme Award for the House of the Year as well as winning the Category and Gold Award for the Westpac New Homes over $2 million category. The company also received the Craftsmanship Award and the Outdoor Living Award for the Herne Bay home.

Barton Builders Limited was awarded the Registered Master Builders Supreme Award for the Renovation of the Year, as well as winning the Gold Award and Category for the Future Proof Building Renovation Award over $500,000, for a home in Westmere.

WG de Gruchy Construction Limited’s build impressed judges who said, “Starting out originally as a renovation, before changing paths to become a 100 per cent new build, the degree of difficulty experienced by the builder in order to create this masterpiece is amazing.”

“The exacting standards and incredible attention to detail displayed in this home is almost beyond belief. The exterior timber cladding, timber windows and extensive use of textured timber wall linings internally were all crafted perfectly. 

“This is one of those exceptional homes that you seldom see – this is building excellence and a worthy winner of the Supreme Award.”

Judges said Barton Builders Limited winning renovation was of an architect’s own home, involving complex detailing, which provided some major challenges for the builder.

“From the installation of structural steel frames supporting the upper floor to large exterior stacking louvre shutters, the execution of this renovation was difficult to fault,” they said.

“An extremely high level of workmanship extends into the interior of the home with the fitting of very large shoji style shutters, extensive American oak timber floor and the fitting of large, sculptured wave-like fins to the skylight over the dining room, all carefully detailed, skilfully interpreted by the builder.

“This is a home that has multiple facets to it and is a perfect response to the client’s brief.”

The builders’ entries were recognised by members of the Auckland Registered Master Builders and the local building industry at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna on Saturday, 10 August. 

There were 26 Gold Award winners from the Auckland area which will now be assessed alongside Gold Award winners from the 10 other regions of the competition to find the National Gold Reserve finalists, which will be announced in September.

National category winners and Registered Master Builders Supreme Awards for the Renovation of the Year and the House of the Year will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland in November.

The Awards are made possible through the support of PlaceMakers, James Hardie, GIB, Nulook, Future-Proof Building, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Carters, ITM, Plumbing World, Resene and Westpac.

For more information about the competition, visit the www.houseoftheyear.co.nz.

ENDS

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