Wānaka homes have earned a slew of accolades at the Southern House of the Year Awards 2024, including the supreme house of the year award.

The annual competition recognises the best homes and those who brought them to life.

The central Wānaka ‘Sanctuary Central’ took out the top award, with judges complimenting the “meticulously crafted and adaptable 309sqm home”.

Inside ‘Sanctuary Central’, which judges called “a house that intrigues”. PHOTO: Samuel Hartnett

The home’s street facing facade is “deliberately abstract” and hints at the “truly beautiful” three bedrooms and four courtyards that lie beyond, judges said.

“Flow doesn’t come close to describing the way the interior transitions to the outdoor zones.

“The relationship between the components of the house and the sanctuary as a whole is emblematic of the collaboration between Level Construction and architects Roberts Gray.”

The supreme award was one of five awards ‘Sanctuary Central’ earned, from a total of nearly four dozen awards across categories celebrating everything from houses at different price points to sustainability, outdoor excellence and interior design, plus the sought-after gold, silver and bronze awards celebrating excellence in construction.

This Dunlop Builders' “long, low and cool”, Brick House combined understated elegance, energy-efficiency and “top-drawer craftsmanship, judges said. PHOTO: Caydn Thomson, ImageWorks

The “long, low and cool” 307sqm Brick House, built by Dunlop Builders, combines “understated elegance”, energy-efficiency with a Passive House Plus rating and “top-drawer craftsmanship at every turn”.

The house, in the $2M-$4M category, earned a gold award (for homes which achieve 90 percent of the available points and are judged to be at least 80 percent above industry standard) and the Regional APL Environmental & Sustainable Excellence award.

At a lower price point ($750,000-$1M), “strong lines and intriguing angles” earned a 190sqm Northlake home a regional category award and a gold award.

“Strong lines and intriguing angles” were hallmarks of this Wānaka home built by Buildcraft. PHOTO: Caydn Thomson, ImageWorks

Judges said the house, built by Buildcraft, epitomised refined living “thanks to quality materials, timeless features and workmanship by builders at the top of their game”. 

Another four Wānaka homes received the prestigious gold award, including an expansive family home built to take in the site’s 360 views (built by Bayview Construction); a “soulful retreat” with lake views (built by Integrity Homes); a huge 507sqm home with “endless views” (built by CDL Building); and a three-bedroom home with “everything you need to live the good life (built by Jennian Homes). 

This “soulful” retreat built by Integrity Homes earned a gold award, one of seven for Wānaka homes to receive the award. PHOTO: Caydn Thomson, ImageWorks

Find full details of all the homes and awards from the Southern House of the Year Awards 2024 here.