Veteran builders not fading into the woodwork
Contemporary designs, iconic builders reap awards at housing gala, Janet Wilson writes.
Ottawa’s veteran builders, renovators and designers proved they’ve still got plenty of game by winning the lion’s share of the trophies at the annual Housing Design Awards.
Crisp, contemporary designs dominated with plenty of sleek kitchens, inviting bathrooms, dreamy basements, floating staircases and oversized windows that emphasize the connection between inside and out.
Ottawa’s love affair with neutral finishes, wood and stone accents and sparkling white kitchens and bathrooms showed no sign of waning.
The glitzy evening was enjoyed by about 500 guests and was hosted by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association and sponsored by Postmedia at the Shaw Centre on Oct. 21.
The 34th annual event is a celebration of excellence in design, construction and innovation. Linda Oliveri, chair of the GOHBA awards gala, said a record 75 companies entered the contest for a total of 282 entries and 188 finalists in 57 categories, including custom kitchens, bathrooms, production homes and renovation projects.
“No one can call Ottawa a sleepy town anymore. The calibre and variety in home design has reached new heights with beautiful, functional contemporary designs,” Oliveri said.
Gordon Weima Design Builder led the pack with seven awards, while perennial heavyweights Hobin Architecture Incorporated, who swept the condo apartment categories, and Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc. tied with six.
Potvin Kitchens & Cabinetry received five slick glass trophies and Gerhard Linse Design Inc., Crossford Construction, Richcraft Homes and RND Construction tied with four each.
Amsted Design-Build nabbed three awards and was recognized a seventh time as renovator of the year.
Overall, the projects won plenty of accolades from 11 judges, who are based across the country.
They agreed this year’s contest was a tight race in many of the categories and praised the entrants for their thoughtful, functional and esthetically pleasing work in traditional and contemporary spaces.
Toronto judge and architect Alene der Boghossian said that while white remains the top choice in kitchens and bathrooms, she was impressed with the pops of colour found on tiles and cabinets. Gold fixtures – handles, knobs and lighting – was also a top trend as was a colour palette of black, white and gold found in kitchens.
“There’s much to love about design in Ottawa. Homeowners are embracing flat-panelled cabinets, seamless design, live-edge wood and white quartz on counters, walls and floors that look like marble.”
A slew of special awards was also handed out, including the Ottawa Citizen People’s Choice Award, which was won by Gordon Weima Design Builder with Ardington + Associates Design Inc. for a stunning modern farmhouse. The collaboration included tearing down a small, outdated home and replacing it with an elegant, graceful modern farmhouse featuring custom millwork, a warm colour scheme, natural stone exterior and sweeping porch with board-andbatten siding.
“It’s a real honour to use my Godgiven talents to produce homes and to help people. I’ve been in this business for 35 years so these awards are very validating,” said Weima, who also nabbed custom builder of the year.
The People’s Choice award is voted on by the public at the Ottawa Fall Home Show and online. Weima’s project also won kitchen and bathroom awards, but lost to another one of his projects in the custom urban home category.
It was Lindsay Nicol of Crossford Construction’s chance to shine with four awards, two of which were won in collaboration with veteran architect Gerhard Linse for a gorgeous River Road project, including a highly complex 16-sided sunroom with timberframe construction, copper roof with custom cupola, Douglas fir interior and radiant-heated flagstone flooring.
A beaming Nicol, who gave Linse a big hug, said he was thrilled to have worked with the titan on various projects over the past several years.
“I’ve been coming to these awards for a long time,” said Linse. “The quality of the design entries is second to none anywhere else in this country.”
Christopher Simmonds, a modern soul and icon in the Ottawa homes industry for his environmental smarts and sustainable construction and design focus, was grateful for the recognition and credited his loyal team of employees. Two of his firm’s awards were for an elegant, Europeaninspired home in the Glebe, which mixed antique fixtures and furnishings with a dramatic chandelier, sleek kitchen and lots of windows capturing views of a nearby park, pond and gardens. The project won for traditional custom kitchen (241 sq. ft. or more) $75,001 and over and renovation $500,001 and over.
Friedemann Weinhardt of Design First Interiors, who was named designer of the year, was elated by the win. “It never gets old – especially given the incredible pool of talent in the city.”
Weinhardt and RND Construction Inc. also won for traditional custom bathroom (100 sq. ft. or less).
Green-building entrepreneur Roy Nandram of RND, who learned his craft building homes alongside his father in Guyana, took home four awards.
Domicile Developments, which has been in business for 41 years, was recognized for its outstanding and lasting contribution to the industry and GOHBA with the Fred Nielsen award. Ray Charron of Mattamy Homes won the Colonel Boss award for his outstanding dedication and service. The innovation award for Green Production Home of the Year went to Tartan Homes for its Kawartha design in Findlay Creek.
Cousins Santana and Christian Campanale of Campanale Homes were thrilled to win production builder of the year and production home, single detached, (2,6013,500 sq. ft.) for their Greyson model. The two are the second generation to work in the family business, which began 38 years ago.
“Our roots run deep in Ottawa. We are ingrained in this city and to be named production builder of the year is such an honour. We are ecstatic,” said Christian.
Other winners and relative newcomers, included Morley Hoppner Limited, LTR Industries, Project1 Studio, StyleHaus Interiors and Haslett Construction.
For a complete list of winners, visit ottawacitizen.com