An innovative Z-shaped home in Fendalton has been named National Supreme House of the Year over $1 million in the 2023 Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

Built by John Creighton Builders, the house also won the New Home over $4 million category.

Judges were in awe of the home’s design. “This unique single storey captivates from every angle,” they say in their comments. “The home sits on a flat site and rises out of the ground like a landmark with its dominant vertical appearance.

“The structure is cutting-edge, with three wings in the shape of a Z. The living and kitchen area make up one wing, bedrooms in the second wing, and garage, gym and wine cellar in the third. The high-end materials and fitout leave you spellbound with the high level of specs and finish throughout. The craftsmanship throughout this home is of the highest quality.”

Nicknamed the ‘Z house’, the home was built after the original home on the site fell victim to the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.

The judges observed several trends amongst this year’s entrants, including strong Mid-Century Modern architectural influences, the integration of the home office, and a rise of the window seat.

House of the Year Judge and Architectural Designer Faye Pearson-Green says, “Mid-Century Modern architecture is having a resurgence. We saw this a lot through the selection of materials, as people are gravitating to timber and plywood for their interior linings.

“This influence was clear in many of the kitchens we judged, which featured plywood kitchen joinery and more in-built furniture throughout, rather than stand-alone. Colour palettes, external architectural designs, and tile size for bathrooms and splashbacks are all further indicators that Mid-Century Modern architecture is making a comeback.

“We are also continuing to see a flow-on effect from time spent at home during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Work-from-home setups are no longer makeshift offices at the dining room table but areas designed specifically to encourage productive working. And windows seats are being utilised as a place to escape and relax in the home,” she says.

With almost 300 entries in the competition this year, the calibre continues to grow and the level of quality and innovation continues to rise. Spanning across different price brackets, the awards recognise the best homes, renovations and builders the industry has to offer.

houseoftheyear.co.nz