Building mastery recognised

Five local building firms have been recognised by the Master Builders Association’s House of the Year awards and one is in the running for a national title.

A house built by Mangawhai firm Smith Construction, at Mangawhai Heads, has been named in the top 100 in New Zealand and received a gold award. It rose to the top from a pool of 347 entries.

The design of the 312 square metre new-build was inspired by a puriri tree on the site, replicating its “gnarled rangy limbs”. The house is comprised of a main wing, with the master bedroom and bathroom, and a second guest wing with two bedrooms and a further bathroom. The two wings are connected by a glazed glass hallway. The outdoor entertaining area has an inbuilt fireplace surrounded by nikau palms.

A 265 square metre house in Leigh, built by The House Company, also received a gold award and was a category winner for the $1 million to $1.5 million section. The three-bedroom home’s exterior is clad with black shiplap cedar and aluminium. The interior features include custom-made cedar shutters and “clerestory” windows near the ceiling.

A 184 square metre house in Point Wells, built by Sentinel Homes Rodney, won a silver award. The kitchen features a long island bench, while appliances are housed away in a large butler’s pantry. The siting of the garage at the rear of the house creates an internal courtyard that expands from the living and dining areas.

A 337 square metre holiday home in Omaha, built by Silverdale builders Byrne Homes, won a gold award. It has covered and uncovered decks with a wooden hot tub. The main bedroom features a generously sized dressing room and wardrobe with a makeup table and mirror.

A white brick house in Snells Beach, by Silverdale builders North Homes, also won a silver award. The living room has a glass fireplace and two sliding doors with flushed sills embedded in the floor. In addition to timber floors, the angled ceilings are fitted with plywood veneer imported from Finland. In the kitchen, a soft blue tiled splashback accents the white cabinetry.

Master Builders will announce winners of the national awards in November.