The Southern Region Registered Master Builders 2008 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards attracted 56 entries from from Oamaru south.
Alpine Homes, of Cromwell, won the Placemakers supreme award, a gold award and the new homes $250,000-$350,000 category.
Southern co-ordinator Vicki Popham said as far as she was aware, it was the first time a new home in the lower-priced categories had won the supreme award in the southern region although it had happened in other regions.
Judges described the three-bedroom plus office Oamaru stone home as both functional and uniquely attractive - "a simple approach to sophisticated living".
"It was clear that the builders of this property paid serious attention to detail. The choice of materials was well thought out, with special consideration given to their appropriateness to the environment."
The proximity of the kitchen to the outdoor living space encouraged maximum use of that area and easy summer entertaining, they said.
Alpine Homes builder Brian Archer (42) said the win was still sinking in, but it was nice to be recognised for his workmanship.
What made the house special was the people who owned it and the natural look of the house, he said.
The RMB commercial project of the year was won by Rilean Construction (South Island) Ltd of Queenstown for the Novotel Gardens Hotel expansion.
It also won a gold award and the Allied Concrete tourism and leisure project category.
Judges said it was highly complex job involving multiple major extensions and the hotel was fully operational throughout the construction process.
"The builder completed the project to a very high standard of workmanship within the set time-frame and with minimal disruption to business."
