A 6,000-square-foot home with views of Cadboro Bay was named Project of the Year at the 2024 Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence Awards of Vancouver Island.
In all, 57 gold-winning awards projects were highlighted at the awards ceremony at the Fairmont Empress hotel on Friday night.
The awards are handed out each year by the Victoria Residential Builders Association, showcasing projects ranging from family communities to waterfront dream homes.
More than 200 finalists in various categories were chosen for this year’s awards by a panel of industry professionals, based on criteria including architectural design, quality of workmanship, creative use of space and energy efficiency.
“The CARE Awards highlight Canada’s finest West Coast homes, the skilled people behind them, and their contributions to the industry and community,” said Casey Edge, executive director of the Victoria Residential Builders Association.
Project of the Year went to Rannala Freeborn Construction for Arbour House. Its architect, Patkau Architects, describes the 6,000-square-foot house overlooking Cadboro Bay as a “loosely knit fabric of spaces” unified by an “intricate wooden arbour.”
The project won in several other categories, including Best Bathroom over $100,000; Best Contemporary Kitchen over $250,000; and Best Single Family Detached Home over $4 million.
The People’s Choice Award was won by Seba Construction and Thomas Philips Woodworking for The Manor, a custom Uplands home, while the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Tim Schauerte of James’ Joinery for his leadership in the industry and community.
Several awards highlighting goals around the environment and affordability were also handed out.
The Environmental Achievement Award went to Terry Johal Developments for achieving Built Green Platinum with elements that include roof-top solar and protection of the surrounding ecosystem. The Building Better Futures Community Award was won by HD Horne Sprayfoam & Insulation Ltd. for its contributions to energy efficiency in the Ditidaht First Nations community.
Tresah East, by Mike Geric Construction, won for Excellence in Creating Housing Affordability for the project’s affordability during rising costs of construction. The Heritage Award for preserving architecture was presented to Griffin Properties and Jenny Martin Design for Elmsgate.
Green Builder of the Year – Large Volume promoting sustainable residential construction practices was won by Abstract Developments. Green Builder of the Year – Small Volume was awarded to Green Island Builders.
Dusty Delain of Amity Construction was honoured for his leadership in housing policy development, taking home the Bill Wansbrough Memorial Award.
Best Trade was awarded to HD Horne Sprayfoam & Insulation, and the Student Design Award went to Megan Duffy of Vancouver Island University, now with Green Island Builders.
“Congratulations to the winners and finalists for again setting the gold standard for housing,” said Mike Dalton, chair of the 2024 CARE Awards. “These projects demonstrate leadership in design, sustainability and professionalism.”
Gold winners will be displayed in a full-colour magazine distributed by the Times Colonist and available online at careawards.ca following the gala.
2024 CARE Awards Winners
Best New Single Family Detached Spec Home under $800,000 — Verity Construction - Westview Phase 5
Best Single Family Detached Spec Home $800,000 - $1 million — Oak Bay Construction and Step One Design - Seascape
Best Single Family Detached Custom Home under $1 million — McLaren Properties - Meadowview
Best Single Family Detached Home $1 million - $1.6 million — Patriot Homes, Adapt Design and Lorri McCrackin Designs - Willow
Best Single Family Detached Home $1.6 million - $2 million — Oak Bay Construction and Step One Design - Twin Oaks Farm
Best Single Family Detached Home $2 million - $3.5 million — GT Mann Contracting, Hoyt Design Co. and Kimberly Lewis-Manning Design - Sand Dollar
Best Single Family Detached Home $3.5 million - $4 million — Terry Johal Developments - Vista del Mare
Best Single Family Detached Home over $4 million — Rannala Freeborn Construction - Arbour House
Best New Subdivision — Verity Construction - Westview Phase 5
Best Multi-Family Project — Formwell Homes - Washington
Best New Garden Suite or Accessory Building — Seba Construction and Thomas Philips Woodworking - The Manor
Best Outdoor Space under $275,000 — GT Mann Contracting, Hoyt Design Co. and Alliston Stoneworks - Sand Dollar
Best Outdoor Space $275,000 - $450,000 — Rannala Freeborn Construction - Arbour House
Best Outdoor Space over $450,000 — Philco Construction - The Gables Retreat
Best New Home Design under $1 million — Step One Design and Oak Bay Construction - Seascape
Best New Home Design $1 million - $2 million — Adapt Design - Cowichan Lakehouse
Best New Home Design over $2 million — Velocity Projects - Generations Ranch
Best Home Design – Concept — KB Design - Raven’s View
Best Innovative Feature — Terry Johal Developments - Vista del Mare
Best Residential Renovation under $500,000 — Carsa Construction - Haven
Best Residential Renovation $500,000 - $1 million — Griffin Properties and Jenny Martin Design - Elmsgate
Best Residential Renovation over $1 million — Green Island Builders - Nature’s Crest
Best Traditional Kitchen under $150,000 — Oak Bay Construction and Harbour City Kitchens - Twin Oaks Farm
Best Traditional Kitchen $150,000 - $300,000 — GT Mann Contracting, Kimberly Lewis-Manning Design and South Shore Cabinetry - Sand Dollar
Best Traditional Kitchen over $300,000 — Jenny Martin Design and Griffin Properties - Elmsgate
Best Contemporary Kitchen under $100,000 — Oak Bay Construction and Harbour City Kitchens -Seascape
Best Contemporary Kitchen $100,000 - $150,000 — Terry Johal Developments and South Shore Cabinetry - Casa del Cielo
Best Contemporary Kitchen $150,000 - $250,000 — Jenny Martin Design and Thomas Philips Woodworking - Le Moulin; and Sam Scott Interior Design Studio – Skyview (tie)
Best Contemporary Kitchen over $250,000 — Rannala Freeborn Construction - Arbour House
Best Bathroom under $100,000 — Jenny Martin Design and Thomas Philips Woodworking - Le Moulin
Best Bathroom over $100,000 — Rannala Freeborn Construction - Arbour House
Best Primary Suite under $125,000 — Oak Bay Construction - Twin Oaks Farm
Best Primary Suite $125,000 - $300,000 — Terry Johal Developments and South Shore Cabinetry - Vista del Mare
Best Primary Suite over $300,000 — Seba Construction and Thomas Philips Woodworking - The Manor
Best Interior - Homes under $1 million — Jenny Martin Design and Griffin Properties - Elmsgate
Best Interior - Homes $1 million - $2 million — Jenny Martin Design and Thomas Philips Woodworking - Le Moulin
Best Interior - Homes $2 million - $3 million — Coast Prestige Homes, Jenny Martin Design and Java Designs - Thistlewood
Best Interior - Homes over $3 million — Rannala Freeborn Construction - Arbour House
Best Custom Millwork under $100,000 — Oak Bay Construction - Twin Oaks Farm
Best Custom Millwork $100,000 - $200,000 — White Wolf Homes - Highborough
Best Custom Millwork over $200,000 — Terry Johal Developments and South Shore Cabinetry - Vista del Mare
Best Customer Service — Verity Construction
Best Sales Centre — Abstract Developments - Sparrow
Best Website — Green Island Builders
Best Overall Marketing Campaign — Formwell Homes - Washington
Best Heritage Project — Griffin Properties and Jenny Martin Design - Elmsgate
Green Builder of the Year - Small Volume — Green Island Builders
Green Builder of the Year - Large Volume — Abstract Developments
Project of the Year — Rannala Freeborn Construction - Arbour House
Special Achievement Awards
Best Trade — HD Horne Sprayfoam & Insulation
Student Design Award — Megan Duffy, Vancouver Island University
Award for Excellence in Housing Affordability — Mike Geric Construction
Bill Wansbrough Memorial Award — Dusty Delain, Amity Construction
Building Better Futures Community Award — HD Horne Sprayfoam & Insulation Ltd.
Environmental Achievement Award — Terry Johal Developments
People’s Choice Award — Seba Construction and Thomas Philips Woodworking – The Manor
Lifetime Achievement Award — Tim Schauerte, James’ Joinery
