Provincial Home Award Winners Honoured
Nine projects demonstrating excellence in design, renovation, energy efficiency and historical restoration were honoured today at the 19th annual Nova Scotia Home Awards.
Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage, and Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald presented awards to the successful entrants at a ceremony in Halifax.
The departments of Community Services, Natural Resources and Tourism and Culture co-operate in carrying out the program, which is intended to encourage advancement in housing design and construction, promotion of restoration projects, improved energy efficiency, and awareness of Nova Scotia's housing industry.
The Nova Scotia Home Awards began in 1982 as a way to encourage all those associated with the housing industry to implement new technical and design innovations in home construction and renovation. The four categories for awards this year were home unit design, home renovation/rehabilitation, historical restoration, and energy efficiency or alternate energy.
"These projects represent a showcase of Nova Scotia talent and expertise in our housing industry," said Community Services Minister Peter Christie. "It is amazing to see how these awards have grown to become a symbol of achievement for architects, builders, contractors and homeowners throughout the province."
Sixteen entries were submitted and judged by representatives from each sponsor department. Awards include a bronze plaque for the winner in each category and framed certificates of achievement or letters of merit.
The award winner for home unit design, by an architect, is the University Children's Centre and Whitehall Student Residence in Halifax. The project is a medium-rise, 30-unit student residence and day-care facility for Dalhousie University, located on the corner of South and Seymour streets. The project serves as a model in partnering, and providing a balanced approach through good design and practicality to achieve housing solutions.
A derelict 200-year-old structure named The Mare's Tail, is the winner in the home renovation/rehabilitation category. Located in Garden Lots, overlooking the entrance to Lunenburg Harbour, this fixer-upper came to life as a living home, complete with modern conveniences woven into the fabric of the past.
The Charles C. Richards House in Yarmouth is the winner of the historical restoration award. Built in the 1890's by a co-founder of Minard's Liniment company, the brick structure had fallen into an advanced state of disrepair before being rescued by the current owners, who now operate it as a bed and breakfast. This project not only represents successful historical restoration, but also contributes to the cultural and economic life of the community.
In the energy efficiency or alternative energy category, the winner was EnviroHome 2000 in Centreville, Kings Co. Environmental issues in the home are addressed through low-energy use, water conservation, attention to indoor air quality and the use of materials with low-embodied energy. The project proves that environmental responsibility, comfort, livability and low- energy costs can be packaged together at a price that is within reach of the average homeowner.
Honourable mentions went to the Stoddard House on Oceanview Drive, Bells Point in Port Mouton, Queen's Co.; the Nova Scotia House Renovation and Addition project in Chester, Lunenburg Co.; and the Young House on Montague Street in Lunenburg.
Letters of merit went to the MacPherson Residence on Charles Street, Halifax; Captain John Pertus Home located on Isle Madame, Richmond Co.; and the Sorra Residence in Bedford.