Ottawa companies build on success in industry awards

Five builders nominated in multiple categories as ‘resurgence’ continues

In a testament to the calibre of their work, five local companies have not only been named finalists for prestigious provincial housing awards, they’ve all managed to snag nominations in multiple categories.

“It is great to see Ottawa so well represented; (it) dispels the title of a sleepy, boring town for sure,” says Steve Barkhouse, president of Amsted Design-Build, one of the nominees.

The awards are presented annually by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association to builders and renovators throughout the province and CEO Joe Vaccaro attributes the “resurgence” of Ottawa entries to holding the association’s conference and awards gala here in 2014.

“With so many Ottawa-area companies attending that conference and winning awards, I think it provided incentive to continue to submit, and once again (Ottawa firms) are finalists in many of our 39 categories.”

Leading the pack, and making a return to the awards scene after taking a year off, is Design First Interiors with four nominations — two for kitchen renovations and two for bathroom makeovers.

For founder Friedemann Weinhardt, who had open-heart surgery earlier this year, the recognition is particularly sweet. “I’m feeling great, happy to be here doing what I love. I’m a lucky guy!” he says. “My health shock was a blessing because it kind of really changes (your) perspective.”

A veteran of many awards programs, Weinhardt is competing against himself in both categories. Both of his kitchen renovation projects sought to take advantage of beautiful outdoor views while creating an interior “that holds its own.”

For the bathroom entries, one brought home the luxury of spalike hotel rooms the clients experienced when travelling, while the other was “absolutely the smallest bathroom I’ve ever worked in,” he says. At less than four feet wide and no room to expand, his solution was to install a “Rubik’s Cube of cabinetry” — referring to the 1970s 3D puzzle — and other niches in both the bathroom and media room next door that allowed him to create more space.

Another industry veteran, Minto Communities, technically had the most nominations, with eight; however, six of those were for projects outside of Ottawa. Locally, Minto got the nod for its uber-green model The Killarney at Arcadia in Kanata as well as being shortlisted for the prestigious Ontario Builder of the Year, an award the company has won repeatedly in the past, most recently in 2014. Minto is competing this year against two southern Ontario builders: Reid’s Heritage Homes and Tridel.

“Our team is delighted,” says senior vice-president Brent Strachan. “It’s particularly special to see The Killarney nominated at a time when it’s been introduced as a net zero energy-ready home.”

Perennial award-winner Amsted looks to defend its title as Renovator of the Year, getting the nod as a finalist again after winning the category last year.

“To be recognized as a finalist for the second time, and in consecutive years, is mind-blowing,” says Barkhouse. “We have our fingers crossed for the same result as last year.”

Amsted is also looking for some hardware in two renovation categories: Under $250,000; and between $250,000 and $500,000, a category the company won last year.

Looking to topple Amsted as top renovator is Oak Wood Renovations Experts, which has been shortlisted along with Eurodale Developments of Toronto.

Chief operations officer Patricia Liptak-Satov says Oak Wood is honoured to be named a finalist in both the renovator of the year category as well as for bathroom renovation.

Comparing it to a car wash in the shower, Oak Wood’s ensuite makeover created a modern look with classic touches. A highlight is the programmable shower, with multiple wall body sprays, large shower head and two shower bench sprays for hands-free washing. White and grey tones keep the space airy and light and quartz wraps the shower and tub for a uniform look.

An Ottawa firm is guaranteed to win the bathroom reno category since all three finalists are from the area. (The other two entries are the ones by Design First Interiors.)

The other local firm making the cut is RND Construction, nominated for its Orchard model at Riverpark Green and for an ultramodern semi-detached home on an odd-shaped lot in Hintonburg.

The OHBA is the voice of the building and renovation industry in Ontario. The awards are given out annually and entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals from across the country.

Winners will be announced Sept. 20.

I’m feeling great, happy to be here doing what I love. I’m a lucky guy! DESIGN FIRST INTERIORS FOUNDER FRIEDEMANN WEINHARDT, who had open-heart surgery earlier this year; the company leads local nominations, with four