Sculptural not just in its overall form but in its details, this five-storey home sought to burrow and nest while also expressing sinuous forms and cutouts, cantilevers, and balanced forms that are as stylised and elegant as they are robust and unapologetically bold. Both cocooning and dramatic, the house is unique: unusual, unconventional, and beautiful all at the same time — a delightful surprise waiting around every corner.
The home was designed in section, not in plan, and you can see why. The resultant stud heights make for dramatic spaces that were not treated apologetically but celebrated; spaces that make you feel incredibly secure in the connection to the hillside, yet simultaneously uplifted.
Its unique materials seem chiselled by the notorious winds of Wellington Harbour; yet, although they allude to a vernacular, the design pushes the form into entirely new territories.
Architectural intent, builder’s craft, client’s trust, and a touch of luck all conspired to create this year’s overall winner; an instrument for living, partly musical, partly kinetic, and entirely impressive. You can’t help but feel the pull of it — the way it holds you close while opening up around you, dramatic and sheltering in equal measure.
Eastbourne House
Home of the Year 2026
Master Builders National House of the Year 2025
In an otherwise flat paddock, this industrial-seeming house presents a wonderfully simple and sculptural response to both site and client. Its uncompromising form succeeds through the architect’s discipline and the client’s commitment to the programme.
Externally restrained, the building reads as a confident abstract object within the landscape, recalling the rural utility of a hay-shed while quietly elevating it.
Inside, the mood shifts: spaces are bold, atmospheric, and unexpectedly luxurious. Immaculately crafted and intensely cool, this house carries an urbane sensibility while remaining firmly grounded in its rural setting.
The M House
Highly Commended in Rural Home of the Year
Awards
Defined by our dedication to producing outstanding work, Planit has continued to be recognised for its skill and expertise in producing award winning builds. In 2025 one of Planit Construction’s builds won the House of the Year, and in 2026 it won Home of the Year.
Since 2010 Planit Construction has picked up 70 awards in the annual House of the Year competition including:
Sapphire Award
National Category Award
National Supreme Renovation
9x National Finalists
6x Regional Supreme Winner
2x Regional Craftsmanship Awards
8x Regional Category Wins
2x Outdoor Living Awards
2x Kitchen Heart of the Home Awards
3x Bathroom Excellence Awards
Interior Design Award
12x Gold Awards
2x Silver Awards
2x Bronze Awards
Winning awards in both New Home and Renovation categories and taking out the craftsmanship award in its inaugural year is a testament to the care and skill taken on every single job that Planit Construction undertakes.
2018 House of the year
Hawkin’s Hill Road Entry
A hybrid city-country home, this architecturally designed home frames views over Wellington from the comfort of its secluded hilltop. The structure exists in harmony with the land while offering sheltered and sunny alfresco living spaces. Oiled cedar and zinc cladding ensure enduring good looks in the unforgiving climate. The skillion ceiling delivers a dynamic feeling of space in the main living area. Areas of floor-to-ceiling glass enhance the open connection with nature. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom layout offers parents and children their own wings. These converge in the shared social spaces. Separate living doubles as a guest room with access to an adjacent bathroom. The energy-efficient interiors stay exceptionally cosy thanks to in-slab hydronic underfloor heating and passive solar heating. Exposed concrete floors and block walls retain the sun’s warmth. Alfresco living areas include a sheltered courtyard with outdoor oven, plus wood storage to feed the fire. This is luxurious living at its understated best.
Another successful night at the Master Builders House of the Year Awards for Planit Construction saw us take home 6 awards. Planit Construction won the Supreme House of the Year award for our Hawkins Hill home. The judges said the house was built on an extremely exposed site and was well designed to maximise the views."It allows for outdoor living areas that give shelter from the, sometimes, extreme windy conditions. Use of natural products anchor this house to its site, (which is) well positioned to make use of all-day sun. This well-detailed and finished home is a true example of the contractor's skill."
2017 House of the year
Planit had another successful year at the 2017 House of the Year Awards.
An extensive renovation to a character home in Mount Victoria saw Planit win the Supreme Renovation of the Year Award at the National Master Builders Awards. In addition to that Planit also took home the Local Supreme Renovation Award, Local Category Aware, Gold Award, Local Craftsmanship Award and the Lifestyle Award for both the kitchen and the bathroom at the Wellington regional awards.
A renovation in Cheviot Rd saw a family home updated to feature light-filled, open-plan living is at the heart the home. Stylish and spacious, with views to the north and west, it’s a relaxed space to indulge a passion for cooking and entertaining. The four-bedroom home won a Local Category Award & Gold Award.
In addition to both entries winning multiple awards, Planit was the recipient of the new Sapphire Award. The award is presented to entrants who have achieved 3 regional Supreme Awards across either renovations or new builds.