Kiwi homes just get better
What works, what doesn’t and what wows – Master Builders House of the Year judges see it all. Colleen Hawkes finds out what the big trends are.
There’s nothing like going into an open home to get a real feel for a house, and it’s the same thing for judges in architecture and building awards – they get to see exactly what works, what doesn’t, and what wows.
Judges in the prestigious Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition are no exception. Last year more than 300 houses were entered into the awards, and they reflect the diversity of Kiwi homes – the different shapes, sizes, price brackets, and styles.
Judges Faye Pearson-Green, Tony Pexton and Eric Dally highlight the following major trends set to influence new builds and renovations this year. And it’s clear architects, builders and homeowners are consolidating a move that has been growing for some time – an awareness of the importance of sustainable design initiatives.
Land availability is decreasing but builders and designers are innovating to work around this. The judges say it was evident in many entries, whether permanent residences or weekend retreats, that people are opting for smaller homes.
With cleverly designed layouts, multi-use spaces and well-crafted fit-outs, these houses prove bigger isn’t always better.
‘‘This year we had the pleasure of judging another tiny home, and we are starting to see more of these,’’ Dally says.
‘‘Despite only having a footprint of 50m2, plus a 20m2 mezzanine, the home felt spacious and liveable.
‘‘I can see why these innovative homes are becoming increasingly popular.’’
The judges say the awardwinning tiny house, by KitMarkin Homes, cleverly maximises the space of its small footprint, with lots of innovative storage ideas.
A secondary dwelling on an established section in Cambridge, the house features Colorsteel cladding and plywood interior walls.
Amid a worsening climate crisis, builders and homeowners are increasingly making environmentally conscious decisions. The judges noted this starts with the building process itself. Project teams are prioritising waste management, sourcing sustainable materials, and finding other ways to reduce their carbon footprint. ‘‘We have also seen that green passive homes are becoming more popular – so much so that we expect them to be the norm in the future,’’ Pearson-Green says.
‘‘By being completely sealed, pressure tested and having mechanical ventilation systems that make calculated air changes, these homes use very little energy. Some even generate their own power and collect their own water, enabling them to be completely off-grid.’’
The judges single out a rammed-earth home in Wā naka by Dunlop Builders as an example of a home built with a clear focus on sustainability.
The house incorporates passive-house principles, and features rammed earth walls built from local materials, warmroof technology and carbonpositive timber.
This year the judges were surprised by how elaborate and expansive kitchens and bathrooms were becoming, many of which could be considered natural extensions to living rooms. Bathrooms had a ‘‘new level of space, style and seduction’’, becoming a place to unwind and recharge.
‘‘And kitchens are increasingly becoming a central hub for families, with expansive breakfast bars to socialise, and accompanying butlers’ kitchens to hide cooking amenities,’’ Pexton says.
The days of neutral-themed homes could be coming to an end. Up and down the country, the judges saw the increasing use of vibrant, strong colours and materials.
Bold wallpapers, Corten steel, marble, timber, and concrete adorned many of the homes the judges reviewed.
They say they were also particularly impressed with the increased use of stone, including New Zealand schist, bluestone and Ō amaru stone, which bring an indigenous twist to residential architecture.
Timber, common in homes before the rise of plasterboard, is making a strong comeback. Plywood linings have become popular for floors and ceilings, and timber, rather than carpet, most often features on floors in open-plan living spaces.
‘‘We were especially impressed to see the use of burnt and charred timber cladding [yakisugi] in a Papamoa home by NAS Construction,’’ Dally says.
‘‘This technique originated in Japan some 500 years ago as a traditional building practice. The naturally durable timber is charred, before being finished with a factory oil to imprison the charring process, which leads to a striking look.’’
New levels of innovation continue to impress the judges. Along with the clever spacesaving solutions, they praised the way many homes feature bold architectural features that require detailed craftsmanship.
The judges noted how well new builds ‘‘tame’’ difficult sites with challenging builds that maximise the available land.
One of the more unusual projects to win awards was a playful contemporary house at Mt Maunganui that features a stainless steel slide popping out the side.
Built by Calley Homes, the project won the Gerrand Flooring Lifestyle Award and a Gold Award.