Top Building Awards

Media release
Saturday 27 October 2007

Dunedin family home and state-of-the-art surgical unit win premier building awards

South Island properties scooped the top awards at the country's premier building awards held in Auckland tonight.

An opulent family home in Dunedin and the recently upgraded Burwood Hospital Surgical Services Unit in Christchurch took out the supreme awards at the national Registered Master Builders 2007 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards, in association with PlaceMakers.

The national winners were announced at a black-tie gala dinner at Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre this evening, where Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister for Building and Construction Clayton Cosgrove joined more than 800 builders and industry leaders to celebrate the best new homes and commercial buildings in New Zealand.

The 2007 House of the Year was awarded to builders J J Oskam for a new family home in Maori Hill, Dunedin, described as "a modern interpretation of some of Otago's notable stately homes". Its features include an indoor swimming pool, wine cellar, chef's kitchen and mirrored-glass tile alcove purpose-built to display a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

The competition's national residential judges, Graeme Sutton and Rolly Adams, said the outstanding attention to detail and flawless execution made this home the standout winner.

"Sometimes in a field of exceptionally high quality one entry stands out and is a joy to experience, and this property created that magic. The workmanship is flawless and the home is a credit to all those involved in its construction and one in which not only the builder, but the whole industry should be justifiably proud," said Mr Adams.

Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd took home the RMB Commercial Project of the Year for the upgrade of Burwood Hospital's Surgical Services Unit in Christchurch.

The facility, which was completed in March this year, replaced three small outdated operating theatres with four state-of-the-art operating theatres. The new unit has been designed to make patients' comfort paramount and optimises natural light to create a restful ambience.

Head commercial judge Graham Mallett says the end result is a functional and aesthetically pleasing building that can better meet the demands of patients.

"The workmanship is remarkable and it is a credit to the Mainzeal team who overcame numerous challenges and ensured the facility was still functional throughout the construction process. It is a huge asset to Christchurch City and New Zealand," says Mr Mallett.

Pieter Burghout, chief executive of the Registered Master Builders Federation, says the quality of National Gold Reserve finalists in this year's House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards were extremely high and the judges had their work cut out choosing the winners.

"This competition has been embraced by a huge number of builders from all over New Zealand, and has set a new benchmark for quality workmanship in both commercial and residential building sectors. It is proof that the building and construction industry is in extremely fine shape."

David Edwards, chief executive of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, says the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition demonstrates the quality and high standards of building in New Zealand.

"PlaceMakers is proud to support this competition and help recognise and reward excellence in the building and construction industry. We congratulate all National Gold Reserve finalists and this year's national award winners," Mr Edwards says.

The 100 finalists - all National Gold Reserve Award winners - were selected from almost 700 entrants in 20 regional competitions held throughout June, July and August. They were vying for the following national titles, and Lifestyle Awards:
House of the Year - residential competition
- PlaceMakers Renovation Award up to $250,000
- PlaceMakers Renovation Award $250,000 to $500,000
- PlaceMakers Renovation Award over $500,000
- 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

Commercial Project Awards
- QBE Insurance Retail and Business Project Award
- Health Project
- Department of Building and Housing Education Project
- Seismic® Industrial/Utility Project
- Tourism and Leisure Project

Supreme Awards
- RMB 2007 Commercial Project of the Year
- PlaceMakers Supreme Award - Registered Master Builders 2007 House of the Year

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”à (Tasman Insulation), Mico Bathrooms, Housing New Zealand Corporation, Nulook, Future-Proof Building”, SeismicMA®, QBE Insurance and the Department of Building and Housing.

Ends

© Scoop Media