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Winstone Wallboards Residential Project Award Results

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National Category Winner: Project: Oxford Terrace Baptist Church - Accommodation & Offices Entrant Contract Construction Project Partners Andrew Barrie Lab (Architect/Designer), Barnes Beagley Doherr (Quantity Surveyor), Contract Construction (Construction Company), Cosgroves (Civil Engineer), Ruamoko Solutions (Structural Engineer) Owned By Oxford Terrace Baptist Church The Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Stage 2 project builds on the foundations laid in Stage 1, which replaced a heritage church lost in the Christchurch earthquakes with a new place of worship and vital community services. Stage 2 continues this legacy, embracing the church’s historic role in providing housing by creating 11 apartments and dedicated office space for social service agencies. Designed to cultivate a sense of connection, the development is arranged around a central cloister with a vegetable garden, orchard, and shared amenities, encouraging daily interaction among residents, staff, and the wider community. Key challenges for the project included material shortages, cost fluctuations, and framing delays caused by COVID-related disruptions. The team overcame these challenges through innovative solutions, including on-site framing and value engineering, which kept the project on schedule and within budget. The result is a considered, future-focused development that integrates housing, support services, and spirituality in the heart of Christchurch. Judges comments Reimagining social housing through an innovative and community-centred lens, this project comprises 11 new homes across two buildings, alongside shared office space for social service agencies. Despite strict cost and time constraints, the team delivered high-quality, well-insulated homes that are bright, comfortable and well-insulated. The concept draws inspiration from the idea of a modern-day monastery, where housing, work, and community life coexist in a daily rhythm. This housing model offers more than shelter; it creates a space for meaningful interaction and shared purpose. The dedicated project team, working in partnership with the Church, has delivered a thoughtful and generous response to the needs of residents and the wider urban community.
Project: The Helier Entrant Peddlethorp Project Partners Argon Constructors Ltd (Construction Company), Babbage Consultants Ltd (Engineer), Boffa Miskell (), Dean Murray & Partners (Quantity Surveyor), Flow Transportation Specialists (Engineer), Greenwood Associates (Landscape Architect) (), MSC Consulting Engineers (Engineer), Peddlethorp (Architect/Designer), Tetra Tech Coffey (Engineer) Owned By Oceania Healthcare Raising the bar in luxury retirement living, The Helier delivers 79 independent apartments and 32 care residences on a complex volcanic site in St Heliers. Designed to integrate seamlessly into its low-density residential surroundings, the development maximises panoramic views of Waitemata Harbour while offering five-star amenities, including a fine dining restaurant, wellness centre, indoor pool, cinema, beauty salon, spa and wine library. The project involved a highly complex 12-metre excavation into a volcanic site on a residential street, requiring continuous monitoring by a volcanologist. The removal of 50,000-square-metres of soil was carried out under strict resource consent conditions, and the unexpected discovery of fossilised leaves and plant material prompted archaeological investigation, adding further intricacy to the build. Built to a 6 Homestar rating, The Helier prioritises energy efficiency, EV infrastructure, solar power, and sustainable materials, achieving a 76.2% waste diversion rate. A model for the future of aged care, this development blends sophistication, sustainability, and community integration.
Project: Willard Street Social Housing Entrant Consortium Construction Project Partners Consortium Construction (Construction Company), Rangzen Pro (Client Representative), South by Southeast (Architect/Designer) Willard Street Social Housing marks the client’s first foray into three-level social housing and the use of locally manufactured Formance Structural Insulated Panels. Through early collaboration and careful planning, the Structural Insulated Panels were pre-manufactured with integrated service conduits, allowing for efficient onsite installation and minimising disruption for electrical and plumbing trades. The result is a high-quality, energy-efficient development that achieved a Homestar 7 rating. This innovative project sets a new benchmark for sustainable, prefabricated social housing, demonstrating how precision construction and smart design can deliver lasting community benefits.
Project: Catalina Bay Apartments Entrant LT McGuinness Auckland Project Partners Architectus (Architect/Designer), BGT Structures (Structural Engineer), Mott MacDonald New Zealand Ltd (Engineer) Owned By Willis Bond Situated at Hobsonville Point, Catalina Bay Apartments offer luxury waterfront living. The development includes 73 high-end apartments across two towers, along with nine townhouses. Designed for both style and efficiency, the residences feature spacious interiors, engineered stone benchtops, and floor-to-ceiling glazing. Achieving a Homestar 7 rating, the project delivers warm, energy-efficient homes with panoramic Waitemata Harbour views and access to local amenities. Sustainability was integral, with 78% of waste recycled, along with onsite initiatives such as worm farms and beehives. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, Cyclone Gabrielle, and supply chain disruptions, LT McGuinness successfully delivered the project on time through early material procurement and a collaborative team effort. Thoughtfully designed to complement Hobsonville’s thriving community, Catalina Bay Apartments provide a premium seaside lifestyle in one of Auckland’s fastest-growing residential areas.
Project: Oxford Apartments Entrant Dominion Constructors Project Partners Dominion Constructors (Construction Company), Phoenix Consulting (Structural Engineer), Russell Property Group (Client Representative), Structure Design (Structural Engineer), Wilson & Hill Architects (Architect/Designer) The Oxford Apartments project redefined earthquake remediation, transforming a damaged high-rise into one of Christchurch’s most prestigious residential addresses. In a world-first engineering achievement, the 13-storey concrete structure was retrofitted with Tectonus seismic dampers, enabling a resilient rocking system while preserving the original framework. Six temporary towers supported the entire building while lower structural elements were replaced, a process likened to an extreme game of ‘Jenga’. By retaining and strengthening the existing structure, the project removed the building from Christchurch’s ‘Dirty 30’ list and saved 1,300 tonnes of embodied carbon. Sustainability was further advanced through rooftop solar panels, high-efficiency fixtures, and smart HVAC systems.
Project: 219 - 225 Riccarton Road Entrant Consortium Construction Project Partners Architectus (Architect/Designer), Consortium Construction (Construction Company), Kainga Ora - Homes and Communities (Client Representative) Owned By Kainga Ora - Homes and Communities This visually striking multi-unit apartment complex developed for Kainga Ora and designed to Homestar 8 standards exemplifies sustainable residential construction. Catering to older tenants, it includes caregiver-ready units, shared spaces for social functions, and facilities like mobility scooter charging and bike storage. Additionally, an innovative SolShare solar system evenly distributes rooftop solar power, reducing tenant energy costs. Early contractor engagement led to cost-effective design revisions, replacing specialised materials with locally available alternatives to mitigate supply risks. Advanced construction techniques, including external insulation and a brick veneer, were seamlessly implemented to enhance thermal performance. With its sustainable features, strong aesthetics, and thoughtful amenities, this project complements its neighbourhood and provides residents with a welcoming, energy-efficient environment.
Project: Te Āwhina Marae-Papakāinga Entrant Scott Construction Project Partners Richley Consulting (Engineer), Scott Construction (Construction Company), Waka Group Architecture (Architect/Designer) Owned By Te Awhina Marae - Trustee and Chair Redevelopment The Te Awhina Marae Papakainga is more than a housing project, it is a legacy for past, present, and future generations. Designed to foster intergenerational living, the development comprises 20 sustainable homes and a central community building, creating a vibrant, culturally connected space for whanau. Built with energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind, the homes feature solar power, wool insulation, and low-VOC paints, ensuring healthy, sustainable living. Thoughtful landscape design replaces fences with raised gardens and fruit trees, reinforcing community bonds. A collaborative effort, the project’s cultural significance was honoured through dawn blessings, powhiri, hangi celebrations, and site inductions led by a kaitiaki with ancestral ties to the Marae.
Project: Matipo Haven Entrant Reco Construction Project Partners Barnes Beagley Doherr (Quantity Surveyor), Civix (Civil Engineer), ENGEO (Engineer), OZAC Architects (Architect/Designer), RECO Construction (Construction Company), SPACE Structural Consultants Ltd (Structural Engineer), Unispot Ltd (Client Representative) Owned By Matipo Homes Limited Matipo Haven raises the bar for urban living, delivering a thoughtfully designed multi-unit development that weaves together green spaces, communal patios, and passive surveillance to promote safety and connection. Situated in a coastal environment, the project faced frequent weather disruptions, with rain and high winds requiring precise scheduling to keep progress on track. Health and safety were a constant priority, upheld through daily toolbox meetings and rigorous site inspections that maintained a secure and efficient work site. Despite challenges from supply chain disruptions and evolving design requirements, the project stands as a model of urban sustainability, balancing functionality, environmental stewardship, and community-centred living.
Project: Northlake Lot 1005 Entrant Cook Brothers Construction Project Partners Consult Quantity Surveyors Limited (Quantity Surveyor), Cook Brothers Construction (Construction Company), Paul Brown & Associates (Architect/Designer), Sullivan Hall (Structural Engineer) Comprised of 27 two-storey homes, Northlake Lot 1005 marks the final phase of Cook Brothers Construction’s contribution to Wanaka’s thriving Northlake Development. Located within the Alta Villas community and set beside the bustling Village Centre, with a café, childcare centre, and recreational amenities, the project offers high-quality homes in a well-connected setting. Sustainability was a key focus, with materials like timber, metal, and polystyrene diverted from landfills or repurposed, and timber offcuts shared as firewood with local staff and residents. A delay in engineering approval for stormwater connections posed a significant challenge, prompting the team to shift focus to vertical construction ahead of infrastructure work. This required agile sequencing, rigorous quality assurance, and responsive programming, showcasing Cook Brothers Construction’s expertise.
Project: 239 Flat Bush School Road Entrant Treasure Homes Project Partners Shape Architects (Architect/Designer), Treasure Homes Limited (Construction Company) Owned By Zengs Property Investment Limited This residential development is comprised of 18 thoughtfully designed townhouses across three blocks. Each unit has a wood-frame structure, with the design emphasising a simple yet elegant aesthetic, using brick veneer, EasyLap panel, and Stria cladding. The townhouses boast excellent natural lighting and functional interiors, offering a comfortable living environment. Full-height doors, windows, and integrated steel beams limited space for routing services, complicating electrical and plumbing installation. Interior elements, like the upstairs bathroom vanity, demanded exceptional precision. including integrating utilities with full-height doors and windows and precision detailing, such as the placement of the upstairs bathroom vanity, hidden control joints and roof-mounted penetrations. Careful planning from the team led to the delivery of a high-quality project within tight budget constraints.
Project: Ahikā Housing Complex Entrant Cook Brothers Construction Project Partners Cook Brothers Construction (Construction Company/Quantity Surveyor), PTL Structural Consultants (Structural Engineer), Solarchitect 2025 Ltd. (Architect/Designer) The Ahika Housing Complex, developed for He Waka Tapu, provides 10 affordable rental units across two buildings designed to support Maori whanau in need. Integrating kaupapa Maori principles of manaakitanga (care) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship), the homes feature low-toxicity finishes, optimal sun orientation, and outdoor spaces that promote healthy living. Solar panels with battery storage reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, while the Net Zero Building design, in line with New Zealand Green Building Council standards, reflects a deep commitment to sustainability. Native landscaping and thoughtful amenities enhance this vibrant community's cultural and environmental connection. Through value engineering and collaborative problem-solving, Cook Brothers Construction overcame tight budget constraints and technical challenges, including contaminated soil and design discrepancies. The team strengthened relationships with project partners through shared kai, milestone celebrations, and community contributions. Completed five weeks ahead of schedule, this project embodies cultural integration, sustainability, and teamwork, setting a new standard for community-focused housing in Aotearoa.
Project: Metlifecare Somervale Stage 1 Entrant Fosters Project Partners Egis (Structural Engineer), Fosters (Construction Company/Quantity Surveyor), Ignite Architects (Architect/Designer), Norman Disney & Young (Engineer), The Building Excellence Group (), Tonkin + Taylor (Civil Engineer) The Metlifecare Somervale Stage 1 redevelopment transformed a 1970s retirement village into a contemporary, sustainable living environment. The three-level, 5,833-square-metre facility includes 30 thoughtfully designed apartments and premium amenities such as a gym, café, bar, media library, pool, and hair salon. Completed on time and within budget, it achieved the Bay of Plenty’s first 7-Homestar rating. Innovation and sustainability were central to the project’s success. A Cross-Laminated Timber superstructure reduced embodied carbon by 46%, while more than 80% of construction waste was diverted from landfills. Delivering the build within a live retirement village required careful planning, clear communication with residents, and stringent health and safety protocols. The result is a warm, functional, and community focused environment that reflects the evolving needs of modern retirement living.