The numbers behind this Queenstown work of architectural art perched above Lake Wakatipu tell a compelling story. Among a haul of awards, the 450sqm five-bedroom property has earned the title of National Supreme House of the Year Over $1 Million. It’s the second consecutive year that Velvin Building has scooped one of the top three accolades. Last year, the company’s work remodelling an A-frame earned the House of the Year Supreme Renovation of the Year. The understated man behind the construction, Joe Velvin-Turner, distils the two major victories, plus others that have come before, down to one thing: “If you enjoy what you do, it shows — in any work, and with anything.

”For Joe, owner and director of Velvin Building, the most rewarding part of the journey is having happy clients and, in this case, they were also the architect/designers. Bronwen Kerr and Pete Ritchie of Kerr Ritchie were also at the awards ceremony to see their new home among the top prize-winners. The pair lived on the ground floor while the upper levels were being constructed so the relationship with the builders was a close one. Joe said his staff for this project had to be incredibly patient. Working on a wedge of rock like a “piece of pizza” wasn’t for everyone, but the builders who were still there at the end did an exceptional job.

Back to the project’s impressive numbers: This year the three-level stunner that steps elegantly down a slope, took out nine national and regional accolades, including the National Lifestyle Award for Kitchen Excellence and the Southern Regional Craftsmanship Award. The latter is always hotly contested and one of the most coveted House of the Year honours. The project took more than 10 years to graduate from drawing board to multi-award winner. The figures add up to a home packed with personality as well as versatility. You’ll find multiple outdoor living areas and one of the five bedrooms is part of a self-contained guest studio.

This beauty is also a vision of precision. The steep, rocky, Kelvin Heights section — best described as an “architect’s site”,according to the builder — called for scrupulous execution.“I enjoy getting something off the ground on a challenging site,”says Joe.The national judges confirmed precision is what Velvin Building delivered. The home, they said, made a demanding location feel effortless. “From the street, it is calm and restrained, offering only a glimpse of the sheltered courtyard beyond.”The striking exterior’s cohesion comes courtesy of recycled Australian timber cladding, soffits and rainscreens, and a roofplane that mimics the landscape’s contours.

Inside, rich-hued timber walls, floors, doors and ceilings crafted from sustainable local beech are just the beginning. A courtyard formed around schist boulders and steel grating inspired byour agricultural heritage, draw the eye — that’s if the residents can tear themselves away from the sweeping lake viewsIn terms of the craftsmanship, the judges said the detailing was precise and consistent, and the quality was clear at every junction.“It also reads as a true partnership between architect and builder, where ideas and execution align.”The nationally lauded kitchen beneath ceilings lined in slatted timber was described by the judges as a “quiet shapeshifter”.“The island bench appears to float, working as an elegant, multi-purpose surface. And the main benchtop is drawn into a beautifully crafted curved timber wall that acts as both divider and feature,” they noted.Overall the project succeeded because of the relationship between builders and architects; communication was open, decisions and adjustments made daily. Plus, for Joe Velvin-Turner, it was a “real privilege” to be able to use unique materials and breakout of norms. “I had a lot of fun,” he says. “That’s the art of building, isn’t it? Being creative and expressing yourself.”