A Tauranga beachside home described by judges as 'unbelievably breathtaking” has taken out the Supreme New House of the Year Award in the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau Registered Master Builders 2021 House of the Year competition.

Reside Construction collected the award for the house, which the judges said was 'understated”, yet also 'superbly designed and crafted with an openness that maximises the amazing views in all weather conditions”.

The home is single-storey on a flat building site, however due to minimum floor heights and flood management controls, the house sits on timber piles driven up to 10m deep, and perched 1.6m above the ground.

Greyed horizontal cedar boards are teamed with vertical battens on the exterior, reinforcing the visual connection with the coast. In announcing the award, the judges said the ceilings and walls were a real challenge, however the effort paid off, producing a stunning home.

Reside Construction also won a Gold Award, the Resene New Home over $2 million, Plumbing World Excellence and Pink Batts Craftsmanship Awards for the same project.

The judges praised the way the difficult ceiling construction was achieved. Photo: Supplied.

The house wraps around a sheltered courtyard. Photo: Supplied.

In judging the bathroom and powder room, the judges praised the way the large format grey and bronze Dekton 3m tiles were installed with extreme accuracy. 'The choice of colour palette and product selection creates a real ambience and one of luxury that complements the level of finish in this home.”

The judges of the Pink Batts Craftsmanship Award noted an acute degree of accuracy and difficulty in the project. 'Every trade, from carpenter, to tiler, joiner, and painter has taken time to achieve an extremely high level of finish that will no doubt make this home timeless. It is a home that designers, clients, and trades have collaborated on to build, creating an outstanding result.”

The landscaping, a key feature of the property, took 8000 hours to complete.

Supreme renovation of the year

This Mount Maunganui house, renovated by Calley Homes won the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau Supreme Renovation of the Year. The project also won the Bunnings Renovation over $1 million Award. Photo: Supplied.

Calley Homes won the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau Supreme Renovation of the Year Award for a major project on a three-level Mount Maunganui home, with the renovation costing more than $1 million.

The judges praised the flow of the living spaces, notably the seamless integration of inside and outside, and the 'amazing cabana opening back on to the courtyard (and pool)”.

'This home has undergone a stunning renovation. From the street you would not know what lies behind the front fence.”

Calley Homes won the Bunnings Renovation over $1 million category, Outdoor Living Excellence Award, and a Gold Award for the same project.

The Supreme Renovation of the Year included the addition of a new concrete cabana that opens up to the deck and pool. Photo: Supplied.

The kitchen-family living area also opens out to the poolscape. Photo: Supplied.

The renovation included a substantial addition, which included the open-plan cabana. The judges praised the way the 'superb home” has been carefully designed to create a home for entertaining with the luxuries of today's modern standard.

The additions have been designed in complete contrast to the original parts of the home. The cabana is a sleek, simple, concrete building with exposed surfaces. 'It is truly a delightful area to hang out in or entertain as it also features a fire and an adjacent bathroom,” the judges said. 'It will be a fantastic entertainment area all year round.”

Calley Homes also won the Renovation up to $500,000 category, the Gerrand Flooring Lifestyle Award and a Gold Award for a home in Tauranga.

Calley Homes won the Renovation up to $500,000 category for work done on this Tauranga home, plus other awards. Photo: Supplied.

The renovation has created a relaxed indoor-outdoor flow to a large, elevated terrace. Photo: Supplied.

This renovation was on a historical home that is special to the area. 'It was a highly successful project that involved excellent collaboration between owners, builders, and the designers,” the judges say.

'The addition to the house provides easy living for the owners, and allows for seamless indoor-outdoor living to maximise views and the sun. The team of craftsmen have created something truly exceptional while also retaining the character of the home.”

Fairbairn Builders won the Renovation $500,000 to $1 million category and a Gold Award for a home in Matua, Tauranga.

This project, by Fairbairn Builders won the Renovation $500,000 to $1million category for the region. Photo: Supplied.

'With a complete makeover and a new layout, which features the views out to the north, this renovation is a real show-stopper,” the judges said. 'It features new windows and cladding, which has changed the house completely. And it provides great indoor-outdoor living and demonstrates the incredible effort and considerations shown between the owners and the builders."

JBH Building won the New Home $1.5 to $2 million category and a Gold Award for a home in Papamoa, Tauranga.

'The home features a striking three-story structure with a ‘client-inspired sandy colour palette which blends in with the neighbouring beach dunes,” the judges noted. 'The colour palette makes the home stand out from the surrounding structures.”

JBH Building won the New Home $1.5 to $2 million category and a Gold Award for this three-storey house in Papamoa. Photo: Supplied.

Living is on the second level to maximise the views of Papamoa Beach and Mount Manganui, and the view can be enjoyed from either inside or from the large deck which has been crafted out of a new Millboard product. The third level accommodates the main bedroom suite.

Landmark Homes Taupo, Rotorua and Whakatane won the Carters New Home $1 million to $1.5 million category for a home in Kinloch, Taupo, was built on a challenging site, with views over the Kinlock Golf Club and Lake Taupo.

Special features include an outdoor bath, and a precast outdoor fire that was delivered to the site by helicopter.

This new home in Kinloch, by Landmark Homes Taupo, Rotorua and Whakatane ,won the Carters New Home $1 million to $1.5 million category. Special features include an outdoor bath, and a precast outdoor fire that was delivered to the site by helicopter. Photo: Supplied.

The Landmark Homes Kinloch house also won the Kitchen Excellence Award. Photo: Supplied.

This house also won the Kitchen Excellence Award, and was praised for its 'clever bar area with a separate scullery”.

'It is set up perfectly for a morning cup of tea or an evening wine to soak up the magnificent 270-degree views of Lake Taupo and Kinloch resort below,” say the judges.

'Superbly selected and crafted joinery really does make this kitchen space extra special for the family and any lucky guests.”

This black brick house in Bethlehem, Tauranga, by Sentinel Homes Bay of Plenty, won the Volume/Group Housing New Home $450,000 to $750,000 category, and a Gold Award. Photo: Supplied.

Other winners are:

• Belco Homes, winner of the Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 to $1 million category, and a Gold Award for a home in Omonoroa, Tauranga.
• Maker Build, winner of the Builders Own Home category and a Gold Award, for a home in Kinloch, Taupo.
• Sentinel Homes Bay of Plenty, winner of the Volume/Group Housing New Home $450,000 to $750,000 category, and a Gold Award, for a home in Bethlehem.
• Harwood Homes NZ, winner of the Gib Show Home category, and a Gold Award, for a home in Pyes Pa, Tauranga.
• Penny Homes, winner of the New Home $450,00 to $600,000 category, and a Gold Award for a home in Nukuha, Taupo.
• Build Taupo, winner of the New Home up to $450,000 catcory, and a Gold Award for a home in Taupo.
• A Knight Design & Build – Gold Award
• Totara Construction – Gold Award
• Seaside Homes – Gold Award
• Altbuild – Gold Award
• Proform Homes – Gold Award
• Design Builders (Taupo) – Gold Award
• Navigation Homes Central Plateau – Gold Award