Retro Queenstown A-frame impresses at house build awards

In a district with some grand designs, a redesigned 1960s A-frame crib has taken away multiple awards in the Southern Master Builders House of the Year Competition.

The Queenstown home, located on a challenging tight and steep site with views to Lake Wakatipu, has won the Southern Supreme Renovation of the Year, Pink Batts Craftsmanship Award, the Builders Academy Renovation in the $1 million to $2 million Category, and a Gold Award.

Judges say the renovation of a 1969 A-frame home in Queenstown has kept a 'log cabin vibe' (Image: Supplied).

Queenstown's Velvin Building completed the renovation project, which involved propping the base up off the old dirt floor to enable a large dig out to take place and permit additional downstairs bedrooms, giving the once crib a larger floor area.

Old wood was salvaged and combined with new, to maintain what the awards judges call "an unmistakable log cabin vibe".

“The result is an iconic, timeless kiwi bach that has been finished to perfection.”

Meanwhile a new build in Wānaka by Level Construction has won the Southern Supreme House of the Year Award.

The home has also taken out the Resene New Home $2 million to $4 million category, the McKenzie & Willis Interior Design Award, the Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award, and a Gold Award.

"Based on first impressions, this home was earmarked to succeed in the competition," the judges say.

"Hidden by charred Japanese screens and block walls, at first the home appears understated until you enter its grounds and glimpse the interiors.

"The level of craftsmanship displayed throughout this build is of the highest standard, not just in carpentry but across all trades, including joinery, tiling, interior block laying, and concrete work. This home is a fine example of excellent collaboration from all parties involved to produce a high-quality result."

The home includes a courtyard garden.

A hidden courtyard garden has helped a Wānaka home take out the Supreme House of the Year Award in the 2024 Southern Master Builders House of the Year competition (Image: Supplied).

Another Wānaka home, which generates more than 11,000 kilowatts of energy a year, is also a big winner.

Built by Dunlop Builders, the Passive House Plus-certified residence has won the APL Environmental and Sustainable Excellence Award and a Gold Award.

It uses no more than 15 kilowatts of electricity per hour per square metre, and its design includes solar panels, a timber subfloor, thermally broken double glazing, and SIPS-insulated walls.

Judges say the 'innovative and out of the ordinary design' elements of this Wānaka build, including a triangular kitchen island, have helped it win in the $750,000 to $1 million category (Image: Supplied).

The top award for the entry-level price-point category of between $750,000 and $1 million for a new home has gone to a build in Wānaka's Northlake subdivision, with judges noting its "distinctive bagged brick and hardwood timber cladding", "striking vaulted timber-lined ceilings", and "rounded triangular kitchen breakfast bar".

It was built by Buildcraft.

Queenstown Lakes homes have dominated the awards, with 12 of the 15 main accolades going to builds within the district.

See all the winning projects here.

Main image (Supplied): An A-frame crib reimagined in Queenstown has caught the eye of judges in an annual building awards.