Building competition celebrates 20 years

MEDIA RELEASE
February 2, 2010

New Zealand’s premier building competition celebrates 20 years

The Registered Master Builders House of the Year, in association with PlaceMakers, will celebrate its 20th year with a range of new initiatives in 2010.

Two of the most significant new features this year are a Supreme Award for renovations sponsored by PlaceMakers, to be chosen from the winners of the three renovation categories, and the introduction of a platinum award for companies which have received five or more national awards.

Other initiatives will focus on the competition’s history at the regional House of the Year events, including a celebration of significant members’ achievements over the past 20 years, and saluting previous supreme award-winning members and projects.

From humble beginnings in 1991, with just 120 entries across four categories, the awards last year featured an impressive 548 entries across 25 building categories covering new homes, renovations, sustainable building and commercial projects. 

Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive Warwick Quinn says the House of the Year has set the benchmark for building standards in New Zealand for the past two decades, and the 2010 competition will no doubt raise the bar yet again.

“Whether a building project is a home renovation or a multi-million dollar office complex, Registered Master Builders have proven that they are unmatched when it comes to professionalism and quality workmanship,” Mr Quinn says. 

John Beveridge, chief executive of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, says the company’s association with the House of the Year is a source of immense pride.

“Builders do more than just construct new homes and offices. They create environments that New Zealanders live, work and play in – today and in the decades to come,” Mr Beveridge says. “That’s a hugely important social and economic contribution to our country.

“And given that building accounts for 5% of New Zealand's GDP and 8% of employment, and is a key foundation industry of our economy, it makes this competition even more relevant,” he says.

Among other changes to the competition are modifications and additions to price ranges for the new home categories, which can be viewed on the House of the Year website, www.houseoftheyear.co.nz.

Entries are now open in the Registered Master Builders 2010 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards.  Hard copy entries must be received by 5pm, Friday 26 February with online entries closing at midnight on Sunday 28 February.

The Awards are made possible through the support of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, and supporting sponsors James Hardie, Gib Living Solutions®, Pink® Batts®  Ultra® (Tasman Insulation), Nulook, the Department of Building and Housing, and Meridian.

For further information about the competition or to enter, visit www.houseoftheyear.co.nz or www.rmbcommercial.co.nz or click through from the Registered Master Builders Federation website, www.masterbuilder.org.nz.

ENDS

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