Three new homes and two renovations are among six local projects vying for national honours as the Canadian Home Builders’ Association announced finalists Wednesday for its annual awards program.
Boutique builder Corvinelli Homes of Russell snagged two spots on the shortlist for its new homes, while industry heavyweight Minto Communities also grabbed two entries — one for its Hyde model at Arcadia in Kanata and one for a digital marketing campaign.
“I was hoping for one and I got two … it’s like Christmas all over again,” gushed Corvinelli owner John Corvinelli, who was particularly pleased to have the homes nominated for their design elements. The green builder is typically noticed for his energy-efficient homes and was just named Energy Star for New Homes Champion of the Year at the provincial EnerQuality Awards.
“It’s really good to be nominated for design,” he said. One of the homes is a 1,470-square-foot bungalow with a flexible floor plan while the other is a generous two-storey that flaunts its country decor.
Photos: National housing awards finalists
Four local companies were named finalists in six categories for the 2016 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence.
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![Minto’s Hyde model at Arcadia is a finalist for production homes, detached, 1,500 to 2,000 square feet.]()
Minto’s Hyde model at Arcadia is a finalist for production homes, detached, 1,500 to 2,000 square feet.
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![Minto’s Hyde model is one of four single-family home models that opened last fall at Arcadia.]()
Minto’s Hyde model is one of four single-family home models that opened last fall at Arcadia.
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![One of two nominations for Corvinelli Homes, the Sapphire model is a bungalow with just under 1,500 square feet.]()
One of two nominations for Corvinelli Homes, the Sapphire model is a bungalow with just under 1,500 square feet.
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![Corvinelli’s Sapphire model is as easily adaptable for a young growing family as a downsizing couple.]()
Corvinelli’s Sapphire model is as easily adaptable for a young growing family as a downsizing couple.
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![Corvinelli’s Opal model was nominated in the category of production homes, detached, 2,001 to 3,000 square feet.]()
Corvinelli’s Opal model was nominated in the category of production homes, detached, 2,001 to 3,000 square feet.
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![The Opal is a two-storey, four-bedroom home with 2,640 square feet.]()
The Opal is a two-storey, four-bedroom home with 2,640 square feet.
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![Amsted Design-Build is a finalist in the category of renovation, whole house, under $250,000.]()
Amsted Design-Build is a finalist in the category of renovation, whole house, under $250,000.
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![The kitchen in Amsted’s project was expanded to allow for today’s amenities such as a large island with seating and lots of storage.]()
The kitchen in Amsted’s project was expanded to allow for today’s amenities such as a large island with seating and lots of storage.
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![Lagois Design-Build-Renovate was recognized for the renovation of a chef’s kitchen.]()
Lagois Design-Build-Renovate was recognized for the renovation of a chef’s kitchen.
The Hyde model, which is also available at Minto’s Avalon and Quinn’s Pointe communities, is part of a new lineup of homes Minto recently introduced that have a more contemporary look both inside and out.
“We’re really seeing that people are interested in that look,” Strachan said when the Arcadia models opened last fall.
Minto’s digital campaign finalist was a new approach for the builder that includes a model home tour with architectural and interior designers to talk about the features and design elements and offers both design and lifestyle tips.
On the reno front, Amsted Design-Build was named a finalist in the category of whole home renovation under $250,000 for the thoughtful redesign of a Victorian home in the Glebe.
“We have had such a great year and this is the capper, wow!” said Amsted president Steve Barkhouse on hearing the news. “To be recognized as top five in this category when considering all the projects in Canada is a real honour. We are thrilled and our clients will be thrilled as well.”
The project, which features a dramatic colour scheme, involved taking down and rebuilding an addition that was failing and reworking the layout to meet the needs of a young family while respecting the home’s heritage character. It’s the ninth time Amsted has been a finalist, Barkhouse said, and seven of those were named winners.
And Lagois Design-Build-Renovate is a finalist for a kitchen renovation over $65,000.
The announcement “was the furthest thing from my mind so talk about shaking up my world,” said a jubilant Herb Lagois. “It’s always an honour to be named a finalist — with any kind of competition — nationally though, talk about a huge honour … this really reinforces all our efforts.”
Renovated for a client who is a trained chef, the project had to deal with several challenges while turning the space into a kitchen that would function for cooking classes as well as for family, said Lagois, who has won two national awards in the past. He was also quick to credit interior decorator Catherine Leibe, who helped with interior design elements.
Called the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence, the program is an expanded version of the former SAM (sales and marketing) awards, which had been given out annually for 37 years, says spokesman Michael Gough.
Almost 700 entries (a record) in 31 categories ranging from low-rise to highrise and multi-family new homes, home renovations and communities were received from builders, renovators and developers across Canada. From the 154 finalists, winners will be announced at the CHBA’s national conference in Kelowna, B.C., on May 6.
Ottawa-area finalists
Production homes, detached, under 1,500 sq. ft.
Corvinelli Homes (Sapphire model)
Production homes, detached, 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft.
Minto Communities (Hyde model)
Production homes, detached, 2,001 to 3,000 sq. ft.
Corvinelli Homes (Opal model)
Kitchen renovation, $65,000 and over
Lagois Design-Build-Renovate
Renovation, whole house, under $250,000
Amsted Design-Build
Marketing, direct promotion, electronic
Minto Communities
Find a full list of finalists at chba.ca
