Master Builders’ National Winners

Three Canterbury builders won top honours in the 2023 Registered Master Builders House of the Year national awards in late November.

A home in Fendalton was judged Supreme House of the Year over $1 million and won the New Home over $4 million category. Greenland Homes took out the award the best new home up to $500,000, and Frost Architectural Builders won the Renovation $750,000-$1.5 million category. A stunning escape in Raglan, built by FV Design and Build, won National Supreme House of the Year under $1 million, and the Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000-$1 million category. A seamless renovation earned Glenbuild the National Supreme Renovation of the Year and Renovation over $1.5 million category awards, for an Auckland project.

Almost 300 entries were in the 2023 competition. Judges say that the calibre of entries continues to grow, and the level of quality and innovation continues to rise. Spanning across different price brackets, the awards recognise the best homes, renovations, and builders the industry has to offer. In addition to pushing the boundaries with exquisite design, the judges observed several trends amongst this year’s entrants including strong mid-century modern architectural influence, the integration of the home office, and a rise of the window seat.

House of the Year Judge and Architectural Designer Faye Pearson-Green comments, “Mid-century modern architecture is having a resurgence, we saw this a lot through the selection of materials, as people are gravitating to timber and plywood for their interior linings.
“This influence was clear in many of the kitchens we judged, which featured plywood kitchen joinery and more in-built furniture throughout, rather than stand alone. Colour palettes, external architectural designs, and tile size for bathrooms and splash backs, are all further indicators that mid-century modern architecture is making a comeback.

“We are also continuing to see a flow on effect from time spent at home during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Work from home set-ups are no longer make-shift offices at the dining room table, but areas designed specifically to encourage productive working.
While window seats are being utilised as a place to escape and relax in the home.”