TOP THREE Georgie Award Winners in Custom Home Building

By Kelly Bai

Presented by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC), the Georgie Awards recognize outstanding achievements in B.C.’s residential construction, renovation, design, development and marketing excellence. This award is recognized both provincially and nationally, and has become the industry’s stamp of quality. Industry insiders and consumers also identify with the Georgie Awards sign when they inspect newly built homes and renovations, for the authentication of the award sets apart high-quality builders.

The CHBA BC has recently announced the winners for the 2019 Georgie Awards, at which many remarkable companies are big winners. In the category of custom homes valued between 1.3 million to 3 million dollars, three companies have won top prizes for their outstanding projects.

Custom Home Valued Between $1,300,000 – $1,899,999
Winner: Blackfish Homes, and its associate companies: Westeck Windows, SSC Countertops,
Caesarstone Countertops.
Project Location: North Vancouver

Completed in 2018, this 5,800 square feet, Built Green Platinum home is very environmentally friendly and energy efficient with an EnerGuide rating of 86. It is at least 30% more energy efficient than what is required by the general building regulations or the current Energy Step Code under Part 3 Buildings.

The homeowner and his family lives in North Vancouver and has owned this property for many years. To meet the growing needs of the family and to provide a healthy living environment for their children, they rebuild the house to be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

At that time, Blackfish Homes was involved in a partnership project in energy and environment, and was able to use this home as a sample. Constructed with higher performance walls and windows that meet glazing requirements, this home is also equipped with a Drain Water Heat Recovery system and uses high-performance heating technology. To achieve its goal in saving energy, the products used in the interior are also selected to meet the requirements of Built Green. This leads to higher air quality and makes the living environment healthier.

Custom Home Valued Between $1,900,000 – $3,000,000
Winner: My House Design/Build/Team Ltd
Project Location: Surrey

This new, 7,000 square feet home is located in Surrey. On the outside, it looks like an old, magnificent manor house with its red brick exterior and symmetrical design. However, the interior is full of modern day trends and convenience. This weekend vacation home has been redesigned into a relaxing, fun, family-centered space.

In the center of the house is an impressive swimming pool. Right above it is a vaulted ceiling with wooden beam embellishments, offering views of the azure sky while bringing light to the interior.  The beautiful French doors lead to the outdoor deck, allowing you to fully enjoy the fun in the sun.

The kitchen, dining room and living room are found in a huge open space. The red bricks used in the kitchen are echoed on the fireplace wall in the living room, connecting the entire space. The T-shaped island comes with a sink, and can also serve as a dining table that comfortably seats 6 people.

The wainscoting and lattice ceilings are interspersed throughout the home, adding to it a touch of elegance.  Polished marble that look like tiles are luxurious and requires little care. The 4 bedrooms upstairs each comes with an ensuite.

This exquisitely rich mansion has a warm, comfortable and elegant interior, allowing family members to enjoy their time spent together.

Custom Home Valued over $3,000,000
Winner: Paramax Homes Ltd.
Project location: West Vancouver

This 10,000 square foot house is built on a 25,000 square foot corner lot with beautiful scenery.

A swimming pool, a green lawn, a stream, rockeries and a lush garden makes a beautiful scene in the courtyard.

Inside the home, natural marble and imported Italian panels are heavily used. Key features of the home include the stylish Italian Eucalyptus kitchen cabinets, state-of-the-art electrical appliances, and Calacatta Oro marble center island and backsplash, a fully equipped wok kitchen and European lighting fixtures that make the kitchen stylish and practical. The dining room walls feature textured grey marble and Eucalyptus wall panels. The living room has a 10’ 3 long stylish fireplace, and the floor to ceiling glass windows bring outdoor beauty into the interior. The main floor and upstairs use primarily oak flooring. LED lights are used on the main floor’s ceiling.

Upstairs is a master bedroom and 3 other bedrooms, each with an ensuite. The vaulted ceiling and fireplace in the master bedroom make the room feel cozy and chic. The walk-in closet features Italian cabinets and lamps. The large polished white tiles in the spacious bathroom creates a sharp contrast with the Port black marble bezel.

Down the stairs to the lower level is a spectacular wine room, a lounge area, a play area, a video room, a sauna steam room, a fitness room and two bedrooms.