House of the Year judges visit Owhata family home

A family home in Owhata has had a visit from the New Zealand House of the Year judges as they seek New Zealand's top-quality builds.

Built by the team at Urbo Homes, the property is up for the inaugural PlaceMakers Volume/Group Housing New Home up to $450,000.

This year's competition has three new categories that reflect the changing building and construction sector; two for volume and group house builders, and one for multi-units, such as apartments.

Urbo Homes Rotorua is not new to competition having previously won two national and seven regional awards.

Co-owner Martin Dobbe said picking the houses to enter came down to the quality of workmanship.

"We only pick our best," he said.

"There's a lot of criteria to meet, and the judges certainly know what they're talking about."

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The three-bedroom home, the exact location of which cannot be revealed, was built right before the market boomed.

"The timing was right when they snapped up the section," Mr Dobbe said.

The home features a large, open-plan living space with vaulted tongue-and-groove ceilings.

A separate scullery leads off the kitchen, and a family room is tucked away behind a large sliding door.

A design and build company, Urbo Homes designed the property to fit the sloping section with the hallway stepping down towards the laundry and garage.

Mr Dobbe said the owners were used to him showing off their home.

The judging panel for this category, builder Keith Hay and architect Graham Anderson, said the standard for this year's competition was incredibly high.

"We're seeing a few more interesting things happening with ceilings this year, and a lot of sculleries," Mr Hay said.

More than 370 homes will be assessed as the judges travel around New Zealand, with regional award-winners announced at 10 regional events during July and August.

Builder Keith Hay and architect Graham Anderson are making their way around the country judging for New Zealand House of the Year. Photo/Ben Fraser

Registered Master Builders Association chief executive David Kelly said this year's competition had evolved to reflect the changing market and the types of homes that were now a part of our landscape.

"Demand for building in this country is calling for new ways of operating and new types of building. As the prominent house building competition, we want to ensure we reflect this new landscape."

For more information about the competition, visit www.houseoftheyear.co.nz.