The winners of the 2010 Georgie Awards® are the gold standard of home building and renovation in B.C.
Savvy consumers on the market for a homebuilder, renovator or designer will look for that little gold statuette, known as the Georgie, before signing on the dotted line. For years, earning a Georgie Award has been a symbol of excellence, but now that symbol means even more. In its 19th year, the awards program has evolved and matured, with a renewed focus on being more consumer focused, and adding in new categories that reflect new trends in housing, such as the growth of outdoor living spaces. A look at some of this year’s outstanding winners shows that Georgie winners are some of the most innovative builders, renovators and designers in not only B.C., but all of North America.
WINNER: Alpine Timberframe & Design, Eco Rainforest Retreat
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME UNDER 2,000 SQ. FT. — SPEC OR CUSTOM
Rainforest retreat
Alpine Timberframe & Design made the most of Tofino’s rainforest climate to make its Eco Rainforest Retreat an example of sustainability on top of high design. The sustainable post-beam timberframe is designed for retirement living, with the main living space on the ground level, and a guest area up.
What else?
- rainwater harvesting for interior and exterior use
- passive solar design
- mudroom and custom outdoor shower
WINNER: VictorEric Design Group, Lang Residence
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME 2,000-2,999 SQ. FT. — SPEC OR CUSTOM
Let there be light!
Natural light and creating expansive views of the mountains and Downtown Vancouver were important to the homeowners of this winning home. VictorEric Design Group brought a modern, stepped architectural approach that allows skylights on every floor, even the basement. The residence also has a picture-perfect rooftop deck and a large deck outside the dining area to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
What else?
- clear cedar siding with a warm grey textured stucco
- four bedrooms all with en suites
- secret door to a hidden pantry
WINNER: Concord Pacific, The Erickson
BEST MULTI-FAMILY HIGH-RISE DEVELOPMENT
Nautical inspiration
Concord Pacific’s The Erickson stands proudly on a prominent Yaletown waterfront site, with hints of nautical inspiration, such as port windows and a twisting form design that allows each of the three suites per floor access to expansive views. A generous balcony through 20-foot-wide folding glass doors further connects the indoors to the outdoors.
What else?
- flush thresholds make balconies accessible
- each suite has direct elevator access
- 24-hour concierge service, indoor ozonized pool, spa facilities, yoga/Pilates studio, theatre
WINNER: Hungerford Group, MacPherson Walk
BEST MULTI-FAMILY LOW-RISE DEVELOPMENT
Warm West Coast
For first-time homebuyers, this warm, West Coast contemporary-influenced low-rise development features gently pitched gable roofs, large bay windows, generous balconies, cedar shingles and heavy timber beams. Rich earth tones and the heart of the homes — a spacious U-shaped kitchen — make the units at MacPherson Walk in Burnaby a welcoming place for any young couple.
What else?
- children’s play area
- 1,800 square foot putting green
- walking trails
WINNER: Quiniscoe Homes, Villa Gran Sasso
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME OVER $2,000,000
Grand villa Luxurious living need not be urbane. Husband-and-wife-owned Quiniscoe Homes shows that glam can be equally relevant in a pastoral setting, with this recreational property Villa Gran Sasso. Along with Sitelines Architecture, Quiniscoe designed the $2.4 million home to sit on a cliffside, with 360 degree views of the mountains, forest, golf course and ski hill. Most striking of all, the home is designed in two portions, with a two-storey glass bridge connecting the two. Quiniscoe Homes was also named Custom Home Builder of the Year.
What else?
- elevator services four out of five levels
- windows and doors are triple glazed, double argon, double low “e”
- innovative layout of home minimized disturbance to the mountainside, by building a portion of the home on the bottom of the cliff and the other on top
WINNER: Nancy Chen, Salesperson of the Year in New Home Construction
Marketing sweeps
In an unprecedented accomplishment in the history of the Georgie Awards®, MAC Marketing Solutions swept the marketing categories at this year’s event, including Best Logo, Best Brochure, Best Signage, Best Advertising Campaign, Best Website, Best Sales Centre and Salesperson of the Year, sometimes competing against itself for various projects. Little surprise then that it also won Marketing Campaign of the Year for the multi-family high-rise project Sage by Kenstone Properties on UBC lands.
WINNER: Averra Developments, Brown Residence
BEST CONDO RENOVATION UNDER $200,000
Contemporary condo
In this new category, Averra Developments and Keith Chalmers Design shined for their renovation of the Brown residence in Vancouver. At the forefront of the project was harmonizing the historic townhome exterior with a calm contemporary interior that better reflected the client’s lifestyle. An expanded kitchen with custom cabinetry spanning the entire west wall was the first step, before continuing on the opposite wall, wrapping around to become the living room’s media cabinet.
What else?
- master en suite was opened up and vanity doubled in size
- concealed storage above fireplace and dining room banquette
- high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and radiant floors
WINNER: Best Builders, West 12th Residence
BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION $500,000-$799,000
Beyond the cracks
When Best Builders saw this rundown rental property with cracks in the foundation, the original idea was to tear it down and start from scratch. But, with new restrictions, the house would have lost a lot of square footage. So it instead underwent an extensive renovation, complete with new foundations. On the exterior, the focus was to keep an old Vancouver feel, with cedar siding with bold window and door casements. On the inside, it now has a modern feel with custom millwork and an open stair design.
What else?
- black slate floors and dark-stained engineered oak floors
- concrete countertops
- high-gloss laminate custom cabinetry
WINNER: G.D. Nielson Developments, Marine Manor
BEST OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE
Marine manor
Creating a seamless transition from the indoors to outside, G.D. Nielsen Developments Ltd. started with an extensive use of windows and patio doors from all rooms. The outdoor covered areas include a spacious dining area, a barbecue centre and woodburning fireplace. Entertaining areas flow onto the pool and hot tub deck, designed for all seasons.
What else?
- extensive use of foliage, perimeter trees and indigenous plants, blurring lines of designed areas and nature
- locally sourced stone work contributes to the natural feel of the forested area
- fountain was integrated into the swimming pool to provide a water feature all-year round
WINNER: Artisan Construction, Tudor Contemporary
BEST INNOVATIVE FEATURE
Secret sanctuary
When it comes to best innovative feature, Artisan Construction created a secret place of natural beauty — transforming an inaccessible dark crawlspace into a dramatic focal point, fulfilling the homeowners’ wish of a private Zen garden. A grid of structural glass blocks installed into the rear porch’s flooring allows daylight to penetrate into the garden. A skylight located above the rear porch penetrates down into the home’s below-grade multimedia/wellness centre.
What else?
- built-in bench echoes the romance of a window box seat
- combination of roller sunshades and blackout blinds eliminate daytime glare when needed
- diverse, programmable lighting options allow for a wide range of moods and scenes
The 2010 Winners
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME UNDER 2,000 SQ. FT — SPEC OR CUSTOM
Alpine Timberframe & Design
ABC Naturally
E3 Eco Group Inc.
Jamie A. Martin Design
Eco Rainforest Retreat, Tofino
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME 2,000-2,999 SQ. FT. — SPEC OR CUSTOM
VictorEric Design Group
Lang Residence, Vancouver
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME 3,000 SQ. FT. AND OVER
Citta Group
Aspen House, Victoria
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME $1,000,000-$2,000,000
Icon Developments Ltd.
Blue Sky Architecture
Ayre Residence, Ucluelet
BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME OVER $2,000,000
Quiniscoe Homes
Sitelines Architecture
Villa Gran Sasso, Panorama
BEST TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
Trillium Project Management
Take Root Projects Inc.
The Schoolhouse, Vancouver
BEST MULTI-FAMILY LOW-RISE DEVELOPMENT
Hungerford Group
Robert Ciccozzi Architecture
Timberline Construction Group Western
MacPherson Walk, Burnaby
BEST MULTI-FAMILY HIGH-RISE DEVELOPMENT
Concord Pacific
The Erickson, Vancouver
BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION UNDER $100,000
maison d’etre design-build inc.
Rock Paper Scissors Creative Group Inc.
Bridging the Gap, Vancouver
BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION $100,000-$299,999
My House Design/Build Team
Panorama View, Surrey
BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION $300,000-$499,999
My House Design/Build Team
West Coast Zen, South Surrey
BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION $500,000-$799,999
Best Builders Ltd.
West 12th Residence, Vancouver
BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OVER $800,000
Zebra Design Group
Zebra Group
Zebra Construction
The Ballantyne, Victoria
BEST KITCHEN RENOVATION UNDER $100,000
Kenorah Construction & Design
Mid Century Modern Rancher, Delta
BEST KITCHEN RENOVATION OVER $100,000
Tom Bakker Design Ltd.
Hi-Design Custom Cabinetry Ltd.
Dickson-Ravensbergen Residence, South Surrey
BEST CONDO RENOVATION UNDER $200,000
Averra Developments Inc.
Keith Chalmers Design
Brown Residence, Vancouver
BEST CONDO RENOVATION OVER $200,000
My House Design/Build Team
South View, West Vancouver
BEST RENOVATION — ANY ROOM
Artisan Construction Inc.
Tudor Contemporary, Vancouver
BEST KITCHEN UNDER $40,000
Quiniscoe Homes
Sitelines Architecture
Stealth, Panorama
BEST KITCHEN $40,000-$100,000
Citta Group
Aspen House, Victoria
BEST KITCHEN OVER $100,000
Gorter Construction
The Sky is the Limit Design
DB3
DB3, North Saanich
BEST MASTER SUITE
Gorter Construction
The Sky is the Limit Design
DB3
DB3, North Saanich
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN DISPLAY SUITE — SINGLE FAMILY OR MULTI-FAMILY
Solterra Development Corporation
Occupy Design
Vita at Symphony Place, Vancouver
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN CUSTOM RESIDENCE
Icon Developments Ltd.
Blue Sky Architecture
Ayre Residence, Ucluelet
BEST INNOVATIVE FEATURE
Artisan Construction Inc.
Tudor Contemporary, Vancouver
BEST INNOVATIVE TECHNICAL FEATURE
RDC Fine Homes Inc.
Enhanced Energy Group
RDC Design
Suntech
Solar Panel Cooling & Indoor Air Pre-Heat System, Whistler
BEST MULTI-FAMILY LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Hungerford Group
Robert Ciccozzi Architecture
Timberline Construction Group Western
MacPherson Walk, Burnaby
BEST OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE
G.D. Nielsen Developments Ltd.
Marine Manor, West Vancouver
BEST LOGO
MAC Marketing Solutions
Cressey Development
James, Vancouver
BEST SIGNAGE
MAC Marketing Solutions
Sage, Vancouver
BEST BROCHURE
MAC Marketing Solutions
Kenstone Properties
Sage, Vancouver
BEST ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
MAC Marketing Solutions
Kenstone Properties
Sage, Vancouver
BEST PROJECT-SPECIFIC WEBSITE
MAC Marketing Solutions
Kenstone Properties
Sage, Vancouver
BEST SALES CENTRE IN NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION
MAC Marketing Solutions
Kenstone Properties
Sage, Vancouver
SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR
Nancy Chen for MAC Marketing Solutions
Kenstone Properties
Sage, Vancouver
MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
MAC Marketing Solutions
Kenstone Properties
Sage, Vancouver
SUSTAINABLE AND INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD
HJ Property Investments Ltd.
Peak Construction
Barnett Dembek Architects Inc.
Waterstone-Promenade, Surrey
BEST PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Glacier Creek Contracting Ltd.
Whistler Housing Authority
The Chiyakmesh, Whistler
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR
HJ Property Investments Ltd.
Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing Ltd.
Peak Construction
Barnett Dembek Architects Inc.
Waterstone-Promenade, Surrey
CUSTOMER CHOICE GEORGIE AWARDS® POWERED BY AVID™ FOR MULTI-FAMILY PRODUCTION BUILDER UNDER 100 CLOSINGS
Concert Properties
CUSTOMER CHOICE GEORGIE AWARDS® POWERED BY AVID™ FOR SINGLE-FAMILY PRODUCTION BUILDER UNDER 100 CLOSINGS
Portrait Homes
CUSTOMER CHOICE GEORGIE AWARDS® POWERED BY AVID™ FOR RESIDENTIAL RENOVATOR UNDER 25 PROJECTS
CCI Renovations
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATOR OF THE YEAR
My House Design/Build Team
CUSTOM HOME BUILDER OF THE YEAR
Quiniscoe Homes
LARGE VOLUME SINGLE-FAMILY HOME BUILDER OF THE YEAR
Portrait Homes
View more photos of Georgie Awards® winners and finalists at www.georgieawards.ca.