Winners in Premier Building Competition Announced

Media release
November 15

A “masterpiece” of a new home in Auckland’s eastern suburbs and an innovative aquatic centre in Queenstown have taken out the supreme awards at the Registered Master Builders 2009 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards, in association with PlaceMakers.

The national winners in the country’s premier building competition were announced last night at a black tie gala dinner held at SKYCITY Convention Centre in Auckland.

Minister for Building and Construction Maurice Williamson was guest of honour at the event, and along with more than 600 builders and industry leaders celebrated the best of New Zealand’s new homes, renovations, sustainable homes and commercial projects.

The 2009 House of the Year title went to PSL Construction of Auckland for a home in Glendowie, Auckland, which also won the New Homes over $1 million and Gib Living Solutions® awards.

The three-storey house is on a stunning site with panoramic views across Karaka Bay to Browns Island and around to Music Point.

The home revolves around a pivotal atrium space, which extends the lounge space for large gatherings, and provides climate control for the whole house through large sensor-controlled panels that automatically open or close.

A limited range of premium materials have been used, with wood panelling in a variety of hues and colours contrasting with basalt-clad pillars to create a warm, homely feel.

National residential judge Guy Evans says the supreme award winner is an exceptionally designed and crafted home, “an absolute masterpiece”.

“The degree of difficulty and detailing required of the builders was a real test of their skills and one that was delivered to the letter,” Mr Evans says.

“This home is a deserving winner of the highest accolade in residential building and stood out in a field of exceptional work.”

Naylor Love Limited (Central Otago Division) took out the supreme award for commercial projects for the Alpine Aqualand in Queenstown, a new public swimming pool and leisure centre owned by Queenstown Lakes District Council. It also won the Tourism and Leisure Project.

The centre is distinctive for its unique design, reflective of its backdrop of The Remarkables mountain range, and contains interior features which resemble the local landscape such as a winding “lazy” river and a mountain waterfall.

National commercial judge Simon Tonkin says the project was clearly not a conventional build, and would have required a vast degree of planning.

“Alpine Aqualand caught our eyes for a number of reasons – not the least how well the building reflects its surrounding environment, and the high degree of design complexity which required an outstanding level of workmanship,” Mr Tonkin says.

“The result is a unique and very attractive facility, and one which is a real asset to the local community.”

Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive Warwick Quinn says the competition continues to set the benchmark for residential and commercial building in New Zealand.

“The quality of this year’s finalists has yet again raised the bar and they clearly demonstrate the value of choosing to build with a Registered Master Builder,” Mr Quinn says.

“The range of building work, from home renovations to large-scale commercial projects, shows that the professional approach and dedication of these builders to their craft is unsurpassed.”

John Beveridge, chief executive of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, congratulated all the National Gold Reserve and category winners, and applauded them for their part in helping New Zealand out of the recession.

“All the finalists tonight are not only building outstanding homes and workplaces that will serve future generations, but are keeping people in jobs and are at the heart of the economic recovery today.

“At PlaceMakers, we believe a good builder is recession proof. We are proud to be associated with a competition that acknowledges and rewards the best of New Zealand’s builders.”

The 100 finalists –all National Gold Reserve winners – were selected from 548 entries in 20 regional competitions held throughout New Zealand during June, July and August.

The Registered Master Builders House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards are made possible through the support of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, and supporting sponsors James Hardie, Gib Living Solutions®, Pink® Batts® Ultra® (Tasman Insulation), Housing New Zealand Corporation, Nulook, the Department of Building and Housing and Meridian, with event sponsors NewBuild Home Finance and BRANZ.

ENDS

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