Words by Michelle Heslop. Photos by Geoff Hobson.
The Vancouver Island Building Excellence (VIBE) Awards is an Island-wide celebration of building excellence that honours industry professionals for their success. Owned and produced by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) of Vancouver Island, the VIBE awards have come to represent Vancouver Island’s most prestigious housing awards program. Based on their industry expertise, the judging panel is carefully selected and comprised of industry professionals outside of Vancouver Island. At the 2018 VIBE Awards, LIDA Homes proudly took home three awards for their custom built wine tasting room, a 1910 duplex renovation and for the best single family bathroom.
1. In the Design, Planning and Innovative category, LIDA Homes won the award for their Collectors Dream Wine Tasting Room — a custom built 14-by-7-foot wine tasting room where there was once dead space in the home’s basement. The rock wall detail was added to reflect rock used in the fireplaces upstairs and on the home’s exterior.
2. In the Residential Planning, Design and Construction category, LIDA won for the Best Residential Renovation $300,000 and Over. The original 1910 purpose built duplex was derelict and had been left empty for many years. The owner had renovation plans drawn up and each side of the duplex was renovated specifically for the pre-sold owners.
LIDA maintained the original structure with the footprint and setbacks completely preserved. Special features include an efficient use of space including full kitchens with ample storage, master ensuites, upstairs laundry and a back porch converted into a small office.
3. In the Residential Planning, Design and Construction category, LIDA took home the award for the Best Single Family Bathroom – New over $30,000. The blend of masterful tile work, walk-in shower, custom cabinetry and free-standing tub with a view gives this 19-by-6-foot master ensuite its spa-like status.
