ŌCHT Wins Again At NZ Commercial Project Awards
Willard Street has earned Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust another national award – recognised for delivering high-quality homes that lead the way in design, performance and community impact.
The new Spreydon community received a Gold Award (Residential) at the 2025 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, presented by Master Builders. The awards celebrate projects that demonstrate innovation, quality and collaboration across New Zealand's building sector.
Willard Street includes 35 warm, comfortable homes designed for modern public housing. The development was commended for its thoughtful layout, smart use of land, and strong partnership between client, builder and architect.
It's the second year in a row an ŌCHT development has won Gold in the Residential category. The Trust's Glovers Road development received the same award in 2023, along with an Innovation Award.
The Willard Street homes were designed by South by Southeast Architects and built by Consortium Construction. The mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes are arranged around shared green spaces that support whānau living and community connection.
This was ŌCHT's first development using structural insulated panels (SIPs) – large-format, high-performance panels manufactured off-site and craned into place. The technique reduced build time and significantly improved thermal performance.
Judges praised the development for raising the bar in public housing:
'Willard Street impresses with its attractive, efficient design and the seamless collaboration between architect, builder and client. The result is high-quality homes that feel genuinely welcoming and are thoughtfully designed for the people who live in them.'
ŌCHT general manager property and development Ed Leeson says the award recognises the consistent quality and ambition behind every new community.
'Each of our developments has taken innovation a step further. Willard Street showed we could lift performance again – especially in thermal efficiency and build technique,' Ed says.
'It's also proof of what's possible when you work with expert partners who share your vision to build better homes.'
Willard Street replaced 26 ageing bedsits built in the 1940s. The new Homestar 7-rated homes were funded through an innovative private sector loan from Generate KiwiSaver via Community Finance – the first time the Trust has used this model.
This award adds to the development's earlier wins at the Canterbury Architecture Awards and the Property Council NZ Property Industry Awards.
'This latest award is a testament to what's possible when skilled teams work with a shared purpose – to create homes that serve communities now and into the future.'
Previous awards
Willard Street: NZ Commercial Project Awards Gold Award (Residential) 2025; Canterbury Architecture Award 2024; Property Industry Awards Excellence Award 2024
Glovers Road: NZ Commercial Project Awards Gold Award (Residential) and Innovation Award 2024
Brougham Street: NZ Commercial Project Awards Silver Award 2023; Property Industry Excellence Award 2022; Canterbury Architecture Award 2022; Civic Trust Award (Category A) 2022
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