Design Builders Franklin/Waikato is celebrating an outstanding result at the 2026 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards for the Auckland, Northland & Coromandel region.
Category: APL New Home $1.5 million – $2 million
Awards: Regional Gold and Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence
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This 289sqm home, built in Karioitahi, brings together the best of modern building with the character and charm of mid-century design. Created for clients with a love of furniture and collectibles, the home was designed to sit comfortably within its rural setting while providing a distinctive backdrop for their personal style.
The result is a home that feels considered from every angle.
The exterior takes inspiration from the architectural language of the 1940s through to the late 1960s, with a double pavilion-style layout, clean lines and an understated material palette of vertical timber and reclaimed brick. Picture windows, clerestory glazing and high-set ribbon windows bring strong mid-century influences to the design, while a wide brick chimney creates a striking architectural feature.
Inside, the connection to the home’s exterior continues. Robust structural beams, timber detailing and brick elements reinforce the mid-century aesthetic, while built-in timber shelving and timber kitchen cabinetry add warmth and character throughout.
A glass-lined link connects the two pavilions, creating a light-filled transition between the spaces and strengthening the home’s connection to its surroundings.
The home includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a powder room, two generous living areas and a north-facing library and retreat. Each space has been carefully considered to balance everyday family living with the owners’ appreciation for design and their collection of furniture and pieces.
Colour also plays an important role. The family bathroom features distinctive burnt orange tiles, while green tiles bring personality to the ensuite, powder room and laundry. Throughout the home, tangerine-coloured doors add another layer of character, while a bold brick fireplace was incorporated as part of the clients’ creative vision.
The attention to detail extends to the bathroom, which was recognised with the Regional Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award, celebrating an outstanding bathroom that best caters to the owners’ needs.
We are incredibly proud to see this distinctive Design Builders home recognised at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards. It is a great example of what can be achieved when thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship and a clear understanding of how a home should feel come together.
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