Award-Winning Lockwood Home at Lake Kaniere, West Coast

Sep 9

4 min read

Ken Drummond Builders receives Silver at the 2026 House of the Year Awards

We are incredibly proud to share that Ataahua, a custom Lockwood home built by Ken Drummond Builders at Lake Kaniere, received a Silver Award at the 2026 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Cook Strait regional awards.

Set within native West Coast bush on a steep and challenging site, this award-winning Lockwood home reflects what can be achieved when thoughtful design, a proven building system and skilled local craftsmanship come together.

For Ken, Chrissie and the team, the award is a meaningful recognition of the care, precision and hard work invested throughout the entire build.

Award-winning Lockwood home at Lake Kaniere built by Ken Drummond Builders

Ataahua: designed around the land

After spending many years living overseas, the homeowners returned to New Zealand ready to put down roots on the West Coast.

Their Lake Kaniere section offered an extraordinary setting, but it also presented real construction challenges. The site was steep, remote and surrounded by native bush. Rather than working against the landscape, the home was carefully designed to sit comfortably within it.

The homeowners wanted space, a strong connection to the outdoors and a home that would be comfortable and easy to maintain. Lockwood’s solid-timber building system was a natural fit for their vision and the character of the site.

Designed by Lloyd Akroyd of Lockwood Design Studio and constructed by the Lockwood West Coast team led by Ken Drummond Builders, the completed 263.5-square-metre home contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms and generous living spaces shaped around its bush setting.

Light, warmth and connection

Capturing the surrounding views without sacrificing warmth or sunlight was an important part of the design.

Highlight windows bring morning sun into the home from the north, while expansive gable-end glazing fills the kitchen with natural light and keeps the native bush views at the centre of the experience. Even the southern deck has become a warm spot for morning coffee.

A centrally positioned fireplace provides comfort through the cooler months, complemented by the natural warmth and character of the Lockwood timber construction.

Inside, the walls and ceilings have been blonded to create a light, smooth finish with a warm Scandinavian influence. Grey-green tiles ground the main living areas and connect the interior palette with the colours of the surrounding landscape.

The exterior is finished in a muted Lichen colour, with Titania window joinery selected to complement the home without competing with its environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvwpX52WbQg

Inside Ataahua—Award-Winning Lockwood Home at Lake Kaniere

Take a closer look inside Ataahua, the Silver Award-winning Lockwood home built by Ken Drummond Builders at Lake Kaniere on New Zealand’s West Coast.

Built on a demanding West Coast site

Building on the West Coast requires more than following a set of plans. High rainfall, changing weather, ground conditions, access and the character of each site all influence how a new home must be approached.

Ataahua’s steep and remote bush location required careful planning, practical problem-solving and strong coordination between the homeowners, Lockwood’s design teams, contractors and builders.

Ken’s steady and positive approach helped guide the project through those challenges. That confidence carried through the construction process, making the experience rewarding for the homeowners as well as producing a beautifully resolved home.

Recognised at the 2026 House of the Year Awards

Ataahua was recognised with a Silver Award at the 2026 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Cook Strait regional awards.

The result places Ken Drummond Builders among the award recipients recognised for building excellence across the Cook Strait region and provides independent recognition of the quality achieved on this special Lake Kaniere home.

Receiving the award was a proud moment for Ken, Chrissie and the wider team—and an opportunity to celebrate the many people whose skill and contribution helped bring Ataahua to life.

A team achievement

A home of this quality is never created by one person alone.

We would like to acknowledge the homeowners for trusting the team with their vision, Lloyd Akroyd and the Lockwood Design Studio, the Rotorua and Christchurch Lockwood teams, our skilled builders, subcontractors and suppliers, and everyone who contributed to the finished home.

The Silver Award belongs to the entire team.

Award-winning Lockwood homes built for the West Coast

Ataahua demonstrates how a custom Lockwood home can respond beautifully to a demanding site while delivering warmth, durability, natural character and comfortable modern living.

Based at Lake Brunner, Ken Drummond Builders constructs Lockwood and custom new homes throughout Lake Kaniere, Moana, Greymouth, Hokitika and the wider West Coast.

With more than 32 years of building experience, Ken combines practical local knowledge with direct communication, careful workmanship and a commitment to getting every build right.

If you are considering a new home, lifestyle property or custom Lockwood home on the West Coast, talk directly with Ken about your site, ideas and the next steps.