The Canadian Home Builders’ Association has announced its 2024 CHBA awards finalists and Ottawa is well represented with 21 nominations.
Known as the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence, the annual awards program recognizes new homes, renovations, community development and marketing efforts across the country, with more than 900 entries in a “record-breaking year for the competition,” the association said in a release Mar. 13.
“This was our largest awards competition ever,” said CEO Kevin Lee. “The calibre of entries is a testament to the work and skills that are needed in the residential construction industry. This year’s finalists should be very proud of what they have accomplished on the national stage.”
Trophies will be awarded in 48 categories on May 10.
Leading the pack of finalists locally is the design firm West of Main with nine nominations, ranging from kitchens and bathrooms to renovations and new homes. Some of its projects were in collaboration with others (three with Art & Stone Group and two with eQ Homes) and most received multiple nominations.
West of Main’s nominations:
West of Main is Ottawa’s current designer of the year and scooped up nine trophies at last fall’s Housing Design Awards put on by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, including several for projects now nominated at the national level.
“Being nominated nine times for CHBA awards is a truly incredible feeling,” said West of Main co-founder Sascha Lafleur. “But more importantly, having a total of 21 nominations from the Ottawa area speaks volumes about the exceptional quality of work and commitment to excellence being created here.
“Such recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of everyone involved in our projects. Our partners — eQ Homes, Art & Stone and all other collaborators — are truly dedicated to the growth and development of the Ottawa design community, and it is an honour to work with them all. This recognition truly inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards of excellence within our community.”
eQ Homes, which is nominated with West of Main for two of its model homes that have also won locally and in the United States, was thrilled at the news.
“We’re honoured to be nominated as CHBA finalists and grateful for the recognition from our peers in the home-building industry,” said Tobin Kardish, director of marketing and product development. “We’re particularly proud to be one of the many builders representing Ottawa in this national competition.”
Added eQ’s marketing project manager, Katherine Toms: “The floor plans of these homes are designed to maximize flow and functionality. We partnered with West of Main to create elevated living spaces that are elegant and memorable, and that real families can see themselves actually living in. We could not be more proud of the results.”
Art & Stone Group, which partnered with West of Main on the custom home that garnered three nominations, was equally thrilled. “(It’s) great to see this beautiful home as a finalist nationwide,” said Art & Stone co-owner Alexandra Corriveau.
MORE: Read about West of Main’s triple nominated home
Amsted Design-Build was next up with four renovation nominations that included individual rooms and whole-home projects. Amsted is the current Ontario renovator of the year, winning the title a record-setting fifth time at the Ontario Home Builders’ Association awards last fall.
Amsted’s nominations:
“What exciting news!” said Amsted owner Steve Barkhouse. “To be included amongst the best projects across the country will never cease to be a humbling moment. We’re incredibly proud of our team, who work passionately on every project they complete, and grateful for our clients, who choose us to craft homes that bring their dreams to life.
“As chair of the Ontario Renovators’ Council, I’m also thrilled to see so many Ontario-based companies make the list. We were excited for our first one in Maitland, recognizing the work of our Brockville team … A huge congratulations to all this year’s finalists!”
RND Construction is up for three awards. All are custom homes and two are shared with Hobin Architecture. The Hobin team also has a third nomination with Terra Nova Building Corp.
“I’m very thrilled that we were able to be finalists at the highest level of housing in Canada; it means we’re doing something right,” said RND owner Roy Nandram. “I’m equally thrilled to see that we have two nominations for net zero (projects) … In numbers we are the largest net zero builder in Ottawa.”
RND & Hobin’s nominations:
“It’s great to be recognized at a national level,” said Hobin spokesman Steve Clifford. “These three finalist nominations showcase Hobin Architecture’s commitment to excellence in both contextual design and environmental sustainability. They demonstrate that luxury, convenience and sustainability can all play together in custom home design.
“We are proud to be working with the city’s top builders and developers, which include Terra Nova and RND Construction. Also, the national awards program tends to be dominated by the west coast, so it’s nice to bring representation from Ontario.”
MORE: Read about the RND / Hobin home that’s already won a local award
Minto Communities and Tanya Collins Design snagged two nominations for the 2023 dream home in the CHEO Dream of a Lifetime lottery, one of which — best production kitchen — is shared with Laurysen Kitchens.
“We are incredibly honoured to be recognized as finalists in the 2024 CHBA National Awards for The Equestrian in both the best production kitchen and best detached production home over 2,800 square feet categories,” said Anthony Minchella, vice-president of sales and marketing for Minto Communities Ottawa. “Being recognized in these categories is a true dedication for how our team approaches innovation and reaffirms our commitment to building better places to live, work and play. To be considered at a national level is a huge honour.”
Added Collins: “(It’s) wonderful to be a national finalist in two categories this year, especially since we took a risk with a moody interior palette to reflect our British country house esthetic.”
MORE: Take a tour of the 2023 Minto dream home
And Park View Homes and Land Ark Homes had one nomination each — Land Ark (with a group of co-submitters) for best production net zero home and Park View in a marketing category (best print ad).
“(We’re) very happy to be representing the future of homebuilding — now,” said a delighted Wafa Martin from Land Ark Homes.
Also of note, three companies who build here — Minto, Mattamy Homes and Dream Unlimited (the developer behind Zibi) — received multiple nominations for their projects in other cities.
Here’s a list of the local 2024 CHBA awards finalists
Best kitchen renovation over $100,000:
Amsted Design-Build – “Going Natural”
Best bathroom renovation:
West of Main – “Downtown Darling”
Best single room renovation:
Amsted Design-Build – “Private Oasis”
West of Main – “Downtown Darling, Living Room”
West of Main – “Good Vibes House”
Best whole-home renovation under $200,000:
Amsted Design-Build – “All in the Details”
Best whole-home renovation $300,001-$500,000:
West of Main – “Good Vibes House”
Best whole-home renovation $500,001-$800,000:
Amsted Design-Build – “Villas of Maison Maitland”
Best detached production home 1,800-2,100 sq. ft.:
eQ Homes and West of Main – “The Quentin at Provence”
Best detached production home 2,101-2,400 sq. ft.:
eQ Homes and West of Main – “The Piper I at Provence”
Best detached production home over 2,800 sq. ft.:
Minto Communities and Tanya Collins Design – “The Equestrian”
Best detached custom home 2,501-3,000 sq. ft.:
Terra Nova Building Corp. and Hobin Architecture – “Riverfront Bungalow”
Best detached custom home 3,001-4,000 sq. ft.:
RND Construction and Hobin Architecture – “Quarry Park Modern”
Best production kitchen:
Minto Communities, Tanya Collins Design and Laurysen Kitchens – “The Equestrian”
Best custom kitchen:
West of Main and Art & Stone Group – “New House Old Charm”
Best bathroom:
West of Main and Art & Stone Group – “New House Old Charm”
Best bedroom/primary suite:
West of Main and Art & Stone Group – “New House Old Charm”
Best production net zero home:
Land Ark Homes with HomeSol Building Solutions, Airtight Home Technologies, Building Knowledge Canada and Bluewater Energy – “Watercolour Westport”
Best custom or renovated net zero home:
RND Construction – “Balmoral Green”
RND Construction and Hobin Architecture – “Quarry Park Modern”
Best print ad:
Park View Homes – “Country Modern”
The full list of finalists can be seen at chba.ca.
