| 103 MASTER BUILDERS - HOUSE OF THE YEAR VDP Construction Auckland Block & Plaster has helped bring the re ined exterior of an award-winning Pararekau Island home to life, supplying and applying the StoArmour cladding and Sto Plaster system for the striking architectural residence. The property, designed by Sumich Chaplin Architects, received Regional Gold and the Regional Outdoor Living award at the 2026 House of the Year Awards for the Auckland, Northland and Coromandel region. Ben and Mariana Lindesay, who own Auckland Block & Plaster, say the project provided an opportunity to demonstrate the specialist skills their company has developed through more than 25 years in concrete masonry and external plastering. “There was a lot of ine detailing on this project, which required a high level of skill and patience and the quality result is testament to our team,” explains Ben. “The Travertine and Milano tones of the StoArmour cladding provide a distinctive inish to this beautiful home. Having a good builder to work with, VDP Construction, made everything go smoothly.” Their company was established in New Zealand in 2016 after the couple had co-owned and operated an external facades company in the UK. Ben began his trade in Kerikeri in the late 1990s before gaining further experience on commercial projects in the UK. Auckland Block & Plaster provides block laying and concrete masonry, external plastering and rendering and specialist coating systems for residential and commercial projects. “We take pride in being involved from the initial stages of a project through to the inal inish,” says Ben. “It is about understanding what the client and architect are trying to achieve and then delivering a durable, high-quality result.” The company is accredited to apply Sto, Rockcote Resene and Specialized plaster cladding systems and is a licensed applicator for Sto Clear Coatings. Its plaster and render work comes with a full facade warranty on completion, with maintenance and painting services also available. Ben remains hands-on within the business, combining project management and quality control with practical experience on site. Mariana oversees inance, human resources and administration. With more than 350 projects completed and more than 200 clients served, Auckland Block & Plaster has built its reputation around combining specialist knowledge with a personal approach. The success of its work on the award winning home is another example of the role its specialist workmanship can play in achieving the high level of inish demanded by contemporary architectural homes. Plastering Excellence on an Award-Winning Home We specialize in Concrete Masonry and External Plaster Cladding throughout the greater Auckland region Offering complete services for all your architectural and hard landscaping masonry needs Your one-stop-shop' for full-service solutions for all your blocklaying, plastering and clear coating systems. Blocklaying / Concrete Masonry We offer complete services for all your architectural and hard landscaping masonry needs. External Plaster / Render As trusted exterior plasterers in Auckland, quality and professionalism sit at the core of everything we do, from wall-to-wall plastering through to full facade render systems. Coating Systems We now include Masonry StoClear Coatings Systems to our services. Contact Ben to discuss your high-end architectural projects 021900835 admin@blockandplaster.nz blockandplaster.co.nz Recognition for home’s standout craftsmanship The single-level, three-bedroom home sits on the shores of a private island. T T Kelly Deeks A private island setting, sweeping Manukau Harbour views, and a home finished to exacting standards have put VDP Construction among the standout builders in the 2026 House of the Year awards. The Franklin-based company earned a Regional Gold award and the Regional Outdoor Living award in the Auckland, Northland, and Coromandel competition for a 426sqm architectural home valued at more than $4 million. The project also made the national Top 100, with VDP recognised among the top four entries for craftsmanship in its region. Co-owner Dan van Tiel says that recognition was particularly rewarding for the young team, which attended the awards with their partners and staff. “Craftsmanship is what we really want to be recognised for,” Dan says. “35 percent of the judging is about the design of the home rather than the construction, so to be in the top four for craftsmanship was pretty special.” The single-level, three-bedroom home sits on the shores of a private island and is designed to sit quietly within its landscape. Te Kuiti limestone, travertine-finish plaster, iroko hardwood joinery, and western red cedar shutters give the exterior a restrained finish, while the living area opens through a large stacking glass door to the pool deck and harbour views. An outdoor room with a fireplace and kitchen provides another place to enjoy the outlook when the weather turns cold. Inside, the home includes three ensuite bedrooms, a designer kitchen and scullery, a TV room, and carefully selected stone, tiles, and fireplaces. Dan says the build involved complex details and tight tolerances, requiring close coordination and quality checks throughout. VDP won the project through a competitive tender process, at a time when the construction market was in recession. The fixed-price contract made delivery a serious commitment, but the team was determined to take on a project designed by one of New Zealand’s leading architectural practices. “We like a bit of pressure,” he says. “We like the projects that keep you up at night, thinking about the details and how to work through the tricky parts of the design and build.” Dan and his business partner Rob Boulger bought VDP Construction in 2021 from its founders, Harry and Karen van der Putten. Both men completed their apprenticeships with the business, which was established more than 30 years ago and built a strong name among Franklin’s farming and market gardening communities. Harry remains involved as a consultant. The company focuses on architectural homes across Franklin and South Auckland, taking on a limited number of projects so its directors can stay closely involved from early planning through to handover. “We treat every project as if it’s our own house,” Dan says. “When we hand it over, we want to know it’s going to last, everything is going to work, and it’s going to be beautiful.”
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