Showcasing Excellence: Our 2025 House of the Year Entries
Each year, the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards celebrate the very best in New Zealand home design and construction. Designers and builders from across the country enter their top projects, all hoping to impress the judges and take home a coveted Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award—or even the ultimate national title.
Last year, we were proud to receive 1 Silver, 4 Golds, 1 Regional Category Win, 2 Top 100 placements, and a national category win for our Canterbury showhome—officially named the best showhome in New Zealand.
This year, we’re excited to share a preview of the homes we’ve entered for the 2025 judging panel, along with the categories we’re competing in. Good luck to our clients and the talented teams behind these exceptional, one-of-a-kind homes. We’ll keep you posted on how we go!
Design Builders Waikato
Awards evening: 1 August 2025
Category: Altus Window Systems New home $750,000-$1 million
Coastal Retreat
Set on the harbourside, this 260sqm home blends rugged coastal character with standout architecture. Vertical timber cladding and dramatic shou sugi ban finishes deliver striking street appeal. Inside, a boardwalk-style entry leads to a raw yet refined interior featuring polished concrete floors, marine ply ceilings, and expansive sea views. The open-plan living flows to a covered alfresco retreat with fireplace and skylight. Thoughtfully designed for lifestyle and function, it includes two living areas, three bedrooms, an office, scullery, wine cellar, and smart design choices that capture light and protect from the coastal elements. Click here to view more images.
Design Builders Wellington
Awards evening: 2 August 2025
Category: Altus Window Systems New home $750,000-$1 million
The High Life
This 153sqm home proves exceptional design doesn’t need to be enormous. Perched on a steep Wellington site, it captures sweeping harbour views while floating 11 metres above ground — thanks to clever engineering and minimal steel foundations. Nicknamed the ‘spider home’, it features two bedrooms, generous decking, beefed-up insulation, thermally broken joinery, and an oversized solar power system. Thoughtful landscaping includes a flat lawn and sheltered firepit. Clad in dark steel and vertical timber, with warm timber finishes inside, this compact home is a masterclass in style, sustainability, and innovation.
Design Builders Franklin
Awards evening: 9 August 2025
Category: Altus Window Systems New home $750,000-$1 million
Pavilion Vista
This proposed pavilion-style home maximises its elevated site, with all key living areas and bedrooms oriented to capture rural views and morning sun. Strong gable ends create a bold roadside presence, while raking ceilings extend to a covered alfresco area overlooking the pool and landscape. Special consideration is required for Matt & Julies daughter, Charlotte, who needs clever integration of height-assistance throughout the home. An updated site survey is recommended to guarantee that the design fits on the new building platform and takes full advantage of the site’s outlook and natural light.
