Bella design for sustainability

A view of the winning home built by Bella Homes. Photo / Supplied

One Northland construction company is continuing to build on its success as it has taken away the Sustainable Home Award at the Registered Master Builders 2014 House of the Year.

Whangarei's Bella Homes took out the Resene Sustainable Home Award for a property in Whananaki.

Bella Homes owner Simon Crawford said he was delighted with the win.

"We put a lot of time and effort into making this home work for the owner. Not only did it have to have the design factors with smart layout and functionality, they also wanted this home to really work efficiently for them long term, so choosing sustainable elements throughout means this house will function using far less energy than a standard home," he said.

"The building industry is taking huge strides towards the sustainability, energy-efficiency and eco-friendly principles. Through our partnership with the Future-Proof Building brand we are able to give informed up-to-date advice to our clients which, we believe, puts us at the forefront of the building industry."

Bella Homes is a trade member of Future-Proof Building (FPB) and the organisation said Bella Homes had put FPB principles into practice while building the award-winning home.

Richard Gough, general manager of FPB, said: "Bella Homes has been an advocate for FPB and our principles for many years and this property shows clever use of sustainability and energy efficiency."

He said the winning Moureeses Bay house, north of Whangarei, had "fabulous sea views and blends well into the landscape with a natural-look cedar cladding".

The home was energy efficient as it was well insulated and had an extensive solar system, Kerlite tiled floors, thermally broken joinery and LED lighting.

That wasn't the only accolade to shine on Northland at the annual awards.

Auckland's PSL Construction won the Supreme Award, the Craftsmanship Award and Westpac New Homesover $2 million for the same house in Waipu.

The judges said PSL Construction's "relentless attention" to detail was "well-complemented by the excellent standard of workmanship achieved throughout this well-designed home in Waipu".

"As you walk in the front entry, the hallway meanders down gentle ramps to beachfront views, passing a giant outdoor fireplace and chimney that protrudes into the hallway and incorporates a curved recess," they said.

"This home is testament to this builder's construction ability.

"The high standard of workmanship and attention to detail PSL Construction has constantly achieved makes the business a worthy recipient of this year's Supreme Award."