This year we are celebrating 30 Years of House of the Year! Over the next few months we are going to be shining a light on some of the people who have played a massive part in the competition. Keep an eye out on our channels as our members share some of their best memories as a builder.

GLENROY HOUSING - 2011

"Despite what this photo may look like, this is one of my fondest moments in my building career. Sometime after winning the Supreme Award in 2011 for this home located in Marlborough’s Mahau Sound, the owners invited me over for tea. After a lovely dinner and night, I decided to sit outside on the deck and enjoy myself. A few minutes later I had fallen asleep…

I always smile at that story as it really shows the special relationship builders can have with their clients. I absolutely loved building this home and the lifelong relationship that formed as a result with the Myrings just topped it off.

I have been in the trades for over 40 years. And even after working and living through 1987 and the GFC I still can’t figure out how to fix the boom and bust of our industry!

My father is a builder, and funnily enough he is still building every day at the age of 93. Lockdown couldn’t even stop him doing building jobs around the home! I guess that is where my interest for the building trade started. Right from a young age I have also always loved wood. This fascination led me to one of my career highlights – the development of earthquake resilient beam structures.

We entered the first House of the Year way back in 1991. With House of the Year it is the sort of competition that motivates you regardless of the outcome. If you win, you want to keep doing well. And if you lose it makes you want to work harder. Can’t see why you wouldn’t want to just give it a go!" - Phil Vile, Glenroy Housing