New Zealand’s premier properties announced

Media release

New Zealand’s premier properties announced

A superbly renovated four bedroom family home in Karori, Wellington and the newly built Columba College’s sports centre in Dunedin took out top accolades at the national Registered Master Builders 2006 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards, in association with PlaceMakers.

The 2006 PlaceMakers Supreme Award and House of the Year was awarded to N.T Stevens Limited for their spectacular renovation of a two storey residence which boasts breathtaking 180 degree views of Wellington Harbour, exquisite black and white marble tiling, spacious living spaces and a stunning staircase linking the levels.

Judges described the property as a "heroic renovation" and called the overall workmanship "impeccable."

"The quality of the structural work by N. T Stevens Ltd assured a stable base
for the extremely fine attention to detail, which is characteristic of the whole house. A particularly appealing feature of the home is the bath which is positioned perfectly for magnificent views of Wellington’s beautiful skyline and harbour," judges stated.

The RMB Commercial Project of the Year went to Dunedin-based builders Naylor Love Limited for their Columba College Sports Centre, an impressively designed and executed gymnasium which makes clever use of classroom galleries and natural light. Particular attention was paid to sustainability, with special awareness of Dunedin’s often cool winter climate.

Judges noted the acoustics, passive lighting and ventilation ensures the gym is incredibly user-friendly. "This building enthuses and inspires those that use it - the contractor has done a remarkable job," judges said.

Chair of the national judging panels, Graham Coe, said the judges were "blown away" by the standard of the workmanship and design diversity of the buildings entered in this year’s awards.

"Some of the properties we viewed not only exhibited commonsense basics but were just faultless," Mr Coe said.

Mr Coe noted the days of design standardisation are truly over and that nowadays clients desire more individual designs that make the most of their properties view, sun and other attractive attributes.

"The quality and superb design of the properties in this year’s House of the Year competition reflected the strength of the relationships between the client, architect and builder.

This competition, which has been embraced by a huge number of builders from all over New Zealand, really raises the bar and sets the benchmark for quality building. I believe the New Zealand building and construction industry is in extremely fine steed indeed," Mr Coe said.

Mr Coe said the competition demonstrated the huge range of options consumers had when it came to building and it was very encouraging to see the regional spread of winning properties.

Levels of excitement were high at Saturday night’s black-tie gala event as the capacity crowd of more than 900 waited with bated breath to find out who built the Registered Master Builders 2006 House of the Year and the RMB Commercial Project of the Year.

Registered Master Builder Federation chief executive Pieter Burghout said: "The National Gold Reserve Award recipients represent the very best of New Zealand's building industry – across the range of residential homes through to commercial buildings – and the national judges had a tough job determining the best of the best – namely tonight's ultimate winners."

David Edwards, Chief Executive of principal sponsor, PlaceMakers said: "Working in partnership with the Registered Master Builders Federation to present and support New Zealand's premier building event is an honour.

"The calibre of this year's competition entries demonstrate the excellence, quality and high standard of building in New Zealand. PlaceMakers congratulates each and every National Gold Reserve winner and this year's national award winners," he said.

The 100 finalists – National Gold Reserve Award winners – were selected from 703 entrants in 20 local competitions held throughout June, July and August.
They were vying for the following national titles:

PlaceMakers Renovation up to $250,000
PlaceMakers Renovation over $250,000
New Homes under $250,000
New Homes $250,000 - $350,000
New Homes $350,000 - $450,000
New Homes $450,000 - $600,000
New Homes $600,000 - $1 million
New Homes over $1 million
Nulook Builder’s Own Home Award
James Hardie Show Home Award
Housing New Zealand Community Development Award
QBE Insurance Retail and Business Project
QBE Insurance Health Project
Department of Building and Housing Education Project
Seismic® Industrial/Utility Project
Seismic® Tourism and Leisure Project
2006 RMB Commercial Project of the Year
2006 PlaceMakers Supreme Award – the Registered Master Builders House of the Year

The Registered Master Builders 2006 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards are supported by principal sponsor PlaceMakers; and supporting sponsors James Hardie, GIB Living Solutions®, Pink® Batts® Ultra , Mico Bathrooms, Housing New Zealand Corporation, Nulook, Future-Proof Building , QBE Insurance, Seismic® and the Department of Building and Housing

ENDS

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