| 71 Evolve Decorators CONTRACTING T T Kelly Deeks Top awards for Wanaka-based team Evolve Decorators completed the interior and exterior painting and timber finishing packages, working with extensive cedar and oak throughout the property. “We used the same finishing product on the walls as used by the flooring contractor to achieve a cohesive result, with the distinctive timber giving the interior its character.” Three projects showcasing the skill required to finish complex architectural timberwork and deliver high-quality commercial interiors have earned Wanaka-based Evolve Decorators national recognition at the 2026 Master Painters New Zealand Awards of Excellence. The painting and decorating company won two Gold Awards, a Silver Award, and a Category Award, building on its success from the 2025 awards and recognising the standard of work produced by its team. Managing director Rhys Iggulden says one of the gold-winning projects and a standout project for Evolve Decorators was a 600sqm residential home built by Christie Brothers Builders and designed by Mason & Wales Architects. Evolve Decorators completed the interior and exterior painting and timber finishing packages, working with extensive cedar and oak throughout the property. The scale of the project was matched by the level of detail required, with careful preparation and finishing essential to achieving a consistent result. One of the challenges was matching the colour of two different timber species so they blended seamlessly. The work was staged, requiring the team to develop solutions as the project progressed and carefully coordinate each stage of the finishing process. Another Gold Award went to one of three townhouses on Beacon Point Road, built by Christie Brothers Builders and designed by Auckland-based Shanahan Architects. The award-winning townhouse belongs to the architect and features salvaged tōtara across its floors and walls. Rhys says working with the reclaimed timber was a highlight, particularly because it is a material rarely seen in contemporary projects. “We used the same finishing product on the walls as used by the flooring contractor to achieve a cohesive result, with the distinctive timber giving the interior its character.” The Silver Award recognised Evolve Decorators’ work on a commercial building for Breen Construction, one of Central Otago’s major construction companies. The building is New Zealand’s first Low-Energy Certified commercial building, with exposed glulam portals forming a prominent part of its structure. The project involved interior and exterior painting packages, extensive timber finishing, multiple colours, and black ceilings on the upper level. Planning the spray-painting work required particular care to avoid marking the exposed structural timber while achieving a clean finish across the different surfaces. Rhys says the project was especially rewarding because Breen Construction was building its own premises, with its team closely involved throughout the process. Working alongside the builder demanded strong communication, coordination, and project management, reinforcing the value of the working relationships Evolve Decorators has developed with leading building companies. The three projects reflect the type of work the company undertakes across Wanaka, where high-end residential builds and architecturally designed commercial buildings are increasingly featuring extensive timber detailing. Evolve Decorators has been based in Wanaka for nine years, having moved from Christchurch following the earthquakes. Rhys completed his painting apprenticeship in Queenstown in 2004 before gaining overseas experience across a range of projects. He says the latest awards are a credit to his team of skilled painters, who take pride in their workmanship and care about the standard of the finished product. Rather than pursuing growth for its own sake, Evolve Decorators intends to maintain its focus on quality, personal service, and trusted relationships with clients, builders, and architects. “We want to keep producing work we are proud of and earn the trust of the people we work for,” Rhys says. The Right Gear, The Right Advice 45+ YEARS OF TRUSTED SERVICE - DAVE SMITH SALES | SERVICE | REPAIRS | EXPERT ADVICE — NATIONWIDE HEATED HOSE SYSTEMS – AWARD WINNING RESULTS Nationwide Sales & Service - 0800 AIRLESS (247 537) | dave@airless.co.nz | www.airless.co.nz AUTHORISED FOR TRITECH | WAGNER | TITAN | GRACO Congratulations to Rhys and the Evolve Team using our equipment technology
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