Bay home builders dazed by big win

One is a colonial-style cottage on a small section. The other has simple, uncluttered angular lines and quality fixtures.
Now the builders of both these Bay homes have won prestigious national awards.
Chartwell Homes and Blackie Construction picked up the awards at the red-carpet, glitzy Registered Master Builders 2004 House of the Year Awards in Auckland on Saturday night.
Both builders were stunned to win.
Peter Blackie said he heard the announcement that a house he built in Devonport Rd had won the national title in the $550,000 to $1 million category but not what the judges said.
"That's all I heard. I was totally stunned and didn't hear another word."
Allan and Glennis Hartwell, and Tony and Judy Martin - partners in Chartwell Homes - and sales manager Nick Pikehall, had a similar reaction to their national award in the $180,000 to $250,000 category.
"We just sat there for a second or two before it sank in - then we erupted. We're still on a high," Mr Pikehall said.
Both houses have simple exteriors with Linea cladding but there the similarities end.
Chartwell Homes' Welcome Bay house, which won from nine finalists, presented challenges in several ways. A colonial style cottage built on a small section with a six-metre fall from side to side, it was important to get the levels right so the house could be built in such a way that the views weren't obscured.
The final test for the Chartwell Homes team was on judging day which coincided with the original owners moving out.
"It was very stressful and a bit of a drama. In the few hours between the old owners moving out and the new ones coming in, we brought in furniture and artwork in time for the judges' visit.
"Then we moved out and the new owners came in," Mrs Martin said.
Their efforts were rewarded. The judges were impressed and the certificate commends the company for its outstanding excellence in workmanship, creativity and innovation.
The Devonport Rd home which Peter Blackie built from a design by Auckland architect Robyn Bilkey impressed the judges with the simple, uncluttered angular lines, the quality fixtures and materials that suited the design and with the particular workmanship that the judges described as "second to none".
"The client's brief was to build him a house that looked like a bach. I think we've achieved that," said Mr Blackie, indicating the various features of the house that make the home comfortable and liveable.
Jarrah hardwood mixes with plywood, stainless steel, frosted and tinted glass, a polished concrete benchtop (that took 16 men to lift into place), gas appliances and angular features throughout to create a minimalist-style home with maximum impact.
The living area downstairs has two walls made entirely of glass to make the most of the views over Tauranga Harbour.
The bedrooms upstairs have different but delightful views and the ensuites are easy-care.
Underfloor heating, the use of electronics and labour-saving devices, gas appliances and a private sheltered courtyard all add to the features that make The Bach a great place to come home to.