Rise of multi-units reflected in award
Apartments and townhouses will feature more in this year’s House of the Year competition because they are expected to account for an increasing proportion of new residential builds by the end of 2021.
The competition is run by the Registered Master Builders Association.
Its chief executive, David Kelly, said the the association wanted to ensure it reflected the new building landscape.
‘‘We’re now moving into a period which will see a major rise in multiunit homes and apartments – that is very exciting for the industry and for New Zealand,’’ Kelly said.
As a result this year’s competition has three new categories to reflect the changing construction sector: two for volume and group house builders, and one for multi-units such as apartments.
The judges were looking for the best builds in the country, ranging from new homes and show homes to renovations and builder’s own homes, and now also multi-units.
The competition seeks to highlight new trends, materials and approaches, such as the recent emphasis on sustainable building practices.
More than 370 homes will be assessed as judges travel around New Zealand, with regional award winners announced at 10 regional events during July and August.
Judging concludes in June, before the first regional events in Waikato and Mid and South Canterbury on July 14.
The awards are sponsored by PlaceMakers, Master Build Services, GIB, Altus, Carters, Plumbing World, Resene and Bunnings Trade.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Charitable Trust is offering two scholarships, each worth $10,000.
The scholarships are intended to support trade and technical professionals pursue a project involving research with the potential to advance some aspect of design, construction or managing buildings.
Winners will be chosen by a panel comprising three NZIOB past presidents, and will be announced at an awards evening on August 25 at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland.
The NZIOB Charitable Trust has a fundraising programme to raise funds so the $20,000 scholarship grants are paid from earnings rather than from capital.
One of the events will be a fundraising lunch with Sean Fitzpatrick at Mac’s Brewbar in Wellington on June 30, the day before the British and Irish Lions play the All Blacks at Westpac Stadium.