It's the cast that counts

The Registered Master Builders Federation has extended its successful House of the Year and Commercial Awards programme to further recognise the talent of member companies.

The programme this year adds awards for Registered Master Builder of the Year - residential and Registered Master Builder of the Year - commercial. The residential winner will be the company or individual that wins the PlaceMakers Supreme Award - the House of the Year. The commercial award goes to the highest placed commercial winner.

Registered Master Builders Federation president Michael Fox says the move places greater emphasis on the builders behind the buildings. "Up to now the awards focused on the winning building, overshadowing the team of builders behind the project. We want to make sure the people are recognised too."

The extension fits with the federation's aim to grow and strengthen the awards, now in their 15th year. This year's event attracted 577 entries.

The awards are supported by principal sponsor PlaceMakers; and lifestyle, commercial and supporting sponsors James Hardie, GIB Living Solutions, Origin, Tasman Insulation (Pink Batts  Ultra), Mico Plumbing Supplies (Mico Bathrooms), and Housing New Zealand Corporation.

The awards are structured on two levels - local and national.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners are determined in 20 local competitions around New Zealand using a points-based system.  Entrants are marked against a scorecard with one overall winner awarded in each category.  The Top 100 Gold Award recipients will become National Gold Reserve Award recipients.  The recipients are judged again by a new, national judging panel to determine national category winners, as well as the 2005 PlaceMakers Supreme Award. 

The commercial entries are separately judged by a national commercial judging panel which determines local and national award winners at the same time.

Local judging is underway and the 100 Gold Reserve Award winners will be announced on Monday, 1 August.

The national winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on 15 October.
PlaceMakers Renovation 

These awards are open to all renovations and restorations, except bathroom or kitchen renovations only.  Price brackets inclusive of GST for 2005 are up to $250,000 and over $250,000. Judges consider creation or retention of character, integration to existing home and workmanship.

New Home
These awards recognise excellence in building and workmanship and are open to all new homes built within the past two years. They are judged within the price brackets to the same judging criteria. Price brackets inclusive of GST for 2005 are under $200,000, $200,000-$300,000, $300,000-$400,000, $400,000-$600,000, $600,000-$1 million.

Judges consider general workmanship, structure, external cladding and roofing, weather proofing, selection insulation, innovation and suitability of products, finishing, general workmanship, entry and access, fit to site, functionality and design, marketability, future protecting.James Hardie

Show Home 
This award is open to show homes and spec homes.Housing

New Zealand Community Development 
This award is open to community residential developments built or modified to meet the needs of the community and not-for-profit sector to high quality standards.

Builder's Own Home 
This award is for a new home or renovation built by a builder for himself/herself or immediate family.

Commercial  Categories
The commercial awards include renovations, refurbishments and new buildings.

They are structured into three price categories: under $2 million; $2 million-$5 million; and over $5 million. Judges consider design, construction practices, durability and weathering, special or unique features, contractual performance, technology and innovation, economic value.

Lifestyle  categories
Special judging criteria apply to lifestyle awards including, general workmanship, innovation in product use, quality and suitability of materials, product assembly, application and installation, functionality of design and space, and future proofing. All entrants in the residential award categories (including the James Hardie Show Homes) are automatically eligible for entry into the Lifestyle Awards. One house only wins each lifestyle award.

GIB Living Solutions - for a better living environment
This award will be given to the house that best demonstrates that the interior living requirements of the homeowners in terms of peace and quiet, warmth and comfort and durability of interior materials were a significant consideration in the design and application process.

Origin Structural Assurance
The Origin Structural Assurance Award recognises a registered master builder's commitment to structural integrity and innovation in timber framing usage, demonstrating the benefits of using kiln-dried, machine stress graded pine framing timber.

Pink Batts Ultra Energy Efficiency 
The house that best demonstrates that energy efficiency was a significant consideration in the design process and was incorporated with regard to the lifestyle of the homeowner and situation of the house.

Heart of the Home Kitchen 
This award will be given to the house with a kitchen that best meets the lifestyle.

Mico Bathrooms
This award will be given to the house with a bathroom that best meets the lifestyle and family needs of its owners.

PlaceMakers Supreme 
The PlaceMakers Supreme Award will be a awarded to the most outstanding overall residential entry in the 2005 House of the Year (excluding entries in the James Hardie Show Home and Builder's Own Home Award).