Ottawa finalists in the 2021 national housing awards represent an impressive range and number of local builders and renovators.
There are 21 Ottawa-area finalists for trophies from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) at its annual National Awards for Housing Excellence to be held later this spring. That number continues a recent history of strong finalist showings from Ottawa, including 17 last year and 21 the previous year.
Roy Nandram, president of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, says Ottawa’s impressive competition at the national level is because “the calibre of design has really gone up in the past 10 years. There are larger windows, much better finishing materials on the front of homes and the interior designs have changed, with a lot of open concepts.”
Nandram’s own business, RND Construction, is a much-awarded company at the national, provincial and local levels. This year, RND is up for three national awards. Two are in the custom home and home office category with Ha2 Architectural Design, and the other is a Net Zero Home finalist with Christopher Simmonds Architect.
Once again, Nandram credits the “high calibre of architectural design and construction” for his strong showing.
eQ the front runner
Ottawa’s eQ Homes is the leading local contender among the Ottawa finalists in the 2021 national housing awards. eQ competing in five categories. The builder’s Oliver model at its Provence development in Orléans is a finalist in production home, production kitchen and bathroom categories.
Created with Roseline J. Hill Architect and West of Main, the home won a model home trophy at the Ottawa SAM Awards this week, where eQ captured a total of nine prizes.
In designing the Oliver, “A lot of attention was paid to how a family wants to live,” says eQ’s marketing and product manager, Tobin Kardish. “The layout is conducive to people who are looking for open concept but also defined spaces. And there’s all that natural light in the kitchen.”
eQ’s Greystone Village development with Hobin Architecture is competing in two categories: new community and mid- to high-rise building (The Spencer). This past fall, the project took the new community award at the Ottawa Housing Design Awards, where eQ was also named production builder of the year.
Previous renovation winners return
Amsted Design-Build is competing in three categories: best renovated space, whole home renovation $200,000-$400,000 and whole home renovation $600,001-$800,000 (with StyleHaus Interiors).
Like RND, Amsted is a past winner at the national, provincial and local levels, including multi-time renovator of the year both provincially and locally.
OakWood, another previous trophy winner — including two-time renovator of the year provincially — is also competing in three categories: kitchen renovation over $100,000, bathrooms under 130 square feet and best renovated space.
An OakWood custom home recently qualified under CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program. The program was introduced in 2017 to recognize homes that produce as much energy as they consume.
More contenders
Ottawa builders and renovators are up for several other possible awards.
They include Glenview Homes’ The Madison with West of Main Design, a contender for the detached production home, 1,800-2,100 square feet trophy, and Minto Communities’ The Bohemian with Tanya Collins Design, which is competing in the detached production home over 2,800 square feet category. The Bohemian was the 2020 CHEO Dream Home.
Among other Ottawa finalists: Gordon Weima Design Builder, who’s competing in the whole-home renovation $200,000-$400,000 race and the home office category. Weima took home a trophy for the same office in the recent Ottawa Housing Design Awards, where he was also custom builder of the year.
The CHBA received more than 730 entries from across the country for this year’s awards. A panel of more than 170 judges reviewed images, floor plans, and project descriptions before narrowing down the field.
Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony May 7.
Here are all the Ottawa finalists:
Best Kitchen Renovation – Over $100,000:
OakWood
Best Bathroom Renovation:
Morgan Quality Homes
Best Exterior Renovation:
StyleHaus Interiors and Terra Nova Building Corporation
Best Renovated Space:
Amsted Design-Build
OakWood
Best Whole Home Renovation – $200,000 to $400,000:
Amsted Design-Build
Gordon Weima Design Builder
Best Whole Home Renovation – $600,001 to $800,000:
Amsted Design Build, with StyleHaus Interiors
Best Mid-to High-Rise Building (Planned):
eQ Homes, with Hobin Architecture, The Spencer at Greystone Village
Best Detached Production Home 1,800 to 2,100 square feet:
Glenview Homes, with West of Main, The Madison
Best Detached Production Home Over 2,800 square feet:
eQ Homes, with Rosaline J. Hill Architect and West of Main, The Oliver at Provence
Minto Communities Inc., with Tanya Collins Design, The Bohemian
Best Detached Custom Home 2,000 to 3,000 square feet:
RND Construction Ltd.
Best Production Kitchen Under 175 square feet:
eQ Homes, with West of Main and The Cabinet Connection, The Oliver
Best Bathroom under 130 square feet:
eQ Homes, with West of Main and The Cabinet Connection, The Oliver
OakWood
Best Home Office:
Gordon Weima Design Builder
RND Construction Ltd.
Modular Innovation Award:
Guildcrest Homes, Trailhead
Net Zero Home Award:
RND Construction Ltd, with Christopher Simmonds Architect
Best New Community Award:
eQ Homes, with Hobin Architecture, Greystone Village
Find a full list of finalists here.
