Build

Canterbury’s winning homes

August 5, 2026August 3, 2026 by Metropol No Comments

Located in Cashmere and Loburn, two of Canterbury’s finest home builds have been honoured in this year’s Master Builders House of the Year awards.

The results are in for the winners of the Master Builders House of the Year 2026 Awards, a prestigious competition that celebrates building excellence in Aotearoa.
While many Canterbury builds were acknowledged in this year’s awards, two homes in particular stood out. They are the Regional Supreme House of the Year Over $1 million, a Cashmere home called Anchored to the Land by M O Brown Builders. Also, the Regional Supreme House of the Year Under $1 million in Loburn, called Interest Bearing, by T Dunn Builders. Here’s your chance to get a closer look at these stunning local homes.

Regional Supreme House of the Year over $1 million, Cashmere.

Nestled into the contours of a hillside overlooking Christchurch city, this 366sqm home has been designed to feel part of its landscape. Clad in dark cedar and steel, with concrete elements, the exterior is robust and grounded, echoing the volcanic rock of the surrounding Port Hills. Arranged across two levels, the home has been planned so that everyday living takes place primarily on the upper floor. Here, open-plan kitchen, dining and living spaces flow onto a substantial suspended deck, complete with a louvred roof system and monumental concrete outdoor fireplace. Below, the house steps into the site to create a sheltered pool and spa area, and landscaped terraces.

Inside, heated, polished black-concrete floors run throughout the main living spaces, balanced by warm timber ceilings, dark built-in cabinetry and soft textural finishes. A snug media room wrapped in richly textured wallpaper offers a retreat at the end of the day. Four generous bedrooms and three high-spec bathrooms continue the refined material palette, with sliding doors opening onto balconies. Bold yet understated, this is a home shaped as much by craftsmanship as it is by its setting.

Anchored to the Land, Cashmere

Builder: M O Brown Builders
Photos by: Tomo Clere

Suppliers:
Living House NZ
MANE Contracting
Modern Age Joinery
Properly Plastered
Resene Construction Systems
Your Electrician Ltd

Regional supreme house of the year under $1 million – Loburn, Interest Bearing.

Small can still be grand, and this 163sqm build proves the point. Featured in last year’s Grand Designs TV series. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling is bespoke. Designed by the owners and tailored to their long-term requirements. The form is inspired by a stealth bomber — an oversized pointed cockpit with wings on either side. The shapes and angles of the house are also practical, giving rise to three outdoor living spaces.

Recycled timber takes centre stage, with exterior cladding and interior linings sourced from Loburn Sawmill – including freshly sawn 105-year-old cedar on the exterior and Oregon throughout the interior. Extra interest comes from corrugated-steel trim and daubs of colour: deep red barn-style sliding doors and feature walls, sage kitchen cabinets and a wood burner in hot orange.

The owner, who worked alongside the building team, sourced and repurposed materials, such as Singer sewing machines for bathroom vanities. Polished concrete floors work to provide continuity.