Erle Levey
A three-level waterfront home in Noosa Heads has been awarded the 2022 Master Builders Queensland House of the Year.
As well as recognition for the builders, the award shows the quality of the region’s architects, designers, suppliers and trade contractors.
Noosa builders have consistently figured in the Master Builders awards, whether at a regional, state or national level.
This year saw Braeden Constructions further build on their multi-award-winning reputation with the Modern Thai House project gaining the coveted House of the Year title.
The waterfront property also took out Individual Home over $2 million.
Exuding contemporary style, the Modern Thai House has been designed to open up completely for an indoor-outdoor living feel, making it an entertainer’s dream.
Meanwhile, fellow Noosa builder Chris Smith Construction won Best Residential Swimming Pool for a property at Little Cove, Noosa Heads.
Christopher Bradley at Honed + Polished Concrete was awarded Residential Trade Contractor of the Year for Sky Garden House, also at Noosa Heads.
Hutchinson Builders were again awarded Medium Density up to three storeys – over five dwellings – for Parkridge Noosa Stage 3.
The Modern Thai House was an interesting project to work on, Mick Devlin of Braeden Construction said.
“The basement was 3m below the river level. On its own that provided technical challenges but as soon as we got out the project of the ground we were hit by Covid.
“As well as being a technically challenging project, it became contract challenging as well due to the pandemic and disruptions to supply chains.
“We were on a fixed price contract so a lot of effort went into getting suppliers and contractors to stick to their prices.
“Some overseas tiles had been ordered 12 months prior and we still had time issues.
“Plumbing, tiles, light fittings can normally be organised within weeks but here we were waiting nine, 10, 12 months.
“Everything had to be organised early.
“We had arranged with pricing early to guard against price rises.’’
Adding to the complexity was the fact the owners were stuck in Melbourne due to Covid lockdown, and only got to see the project twice during construction.
They had trust in the builders and in designer Chris Clout who oversaw the project while the client was away.
Capturing waterfront views with an outdoor living feel, the Modern Thai House epitomises the Noosa lifestyle.
Wrapping around a central tropical oasis, the home includes an outdoor dining pavilion, while a fire pit and seating give the illusion of floating in the pool.
The pool is tiled, while an acrylic spa and full width transparent front wall facing onto the river create a resort-like atmosphere with timber highlights giving it a tropical feel.
The main feature windows are double-glazed New Guinea rosewood, each panel weighing up to 340 kilograms.
“With its striking roof design and timber highlights throughout adding to the tropical elegance, this Thai-inspired home transports you to another world the moment you step inside,” the judges said.
“The attention to detail is a reflection of the outstanding workmanship throughout.”
Queensland timber and door business Duce provided the timber doors, while the rest were locally manufactured in Noosa by Horizon Windows.
And Chris Clout Design what was able to achieve in opening up the indoor-outdoor living so that it flows through was phenomenal, Mr Devlin said.
“We always try to use local trades and suppliers where possible.
“I believe we have among the best architects, designers, engineers and contractors in Australia.
“The owners were a pleasure to deal with. They put their faith in the Sunshine Coast’s builders, suppliers and trades.
“Building in Noosa is on a different level.
“Our Sunshine Coast and Noosa design is cutting edge and leads the market where others follow … the climate suits good environmental design.
“The houses provide such good usable space in our Queensland setting.’’
A big feature of the swimming pool areas have lots of space for family … shallow ends as well as poolside living. Functional as well as design.
The 2022 President’s Award went to KJ Constructions (Qld) for Reynolds Home, Brookwater – a modern golf course family residence.
Project of the Year was Multiplex Constructions QLD for The One, the third edition to the Brisbane Quarter project of luxury city residential towers.
The awards, held at the Plaza Ballroom, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, 15 October, saw a remarkable calibre of entries overcome the challenges hampering the industry – rising costs mixed with shortages of labour and materials as a result of the Covid pandemic as well as flooding.
The judging panel was impressed with the level of entries, their stunning finishes, and the degree of difficulty in construction.
Master Builders chief executive officer Paul Bidwell congratulated the winners across all 57 categories.
“From stylish renovations and beautiful new homes to state-of-the-art hospitals, sports hubs, pubs and eco-tourism facilities, and soaring residential towers inspiring the imagination — there’s nothing Master Builders can’t accomplish,” he said.
“The efforts from promising apprentices, women leading the way in the industry, and builders showing their commitment to the future ahead, is also something we are always excited to celebrate.’’
Queensland award winners:
Construction-
• Health Facilities up to $20 million – Woollam Constructions for Rockhampton Alcohol & Other Drug Residential Rehabilitation Facility (Central Queensland).
• Health Facilities over $20 million – John Holland for Greenslopes Private Hospital Redevelopment (Brisbane).
• Education Facilities up to $10 million – TFA Constructions for Expeditions – Early Learning Journey (Brisbane).
• Education Facilities over $10 million – Hansen Yuncken for The University of Queensland, Andrew N. Liveris Building (Brisbane).
• Sporting Facilities – ADCO Constructions for Pimpama Sports Hub (Gold Coast).
• Community Accommodation for Aged Care and Nursing Homes – Paynters for Carinity Brownesholme (Downs & Western).
• Community Service Facilities – TFA Constructions for Holland Park Mosque (Brisbane).
• Retail Facilities up to $5 million – Robert Arthur Pollock for Mucka Pub (Downs & Western).
• Retail Facilities over $5 million – Hutchinson Builders for West Village Retail Precinct (Brisbane).
• Industrial Building up to $5 million – Fergus Builders for Blenners Transport (Mackay & Whitsunday).
• Industrial Building over $5 million – Vaughan Constructions for Woolworths Heathwood Chilled & Frozen Distribution Centre (HCFDC) (Brisbane).
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Hutchinson Builders for MYAC Eco-Tourism Early Works (Far North Queensland).
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million – Hutchinson Builders for Nicholas Street Precinct (Brisbane).
• Commercial Building up to $5 million – Blenkins Build for The Manor – The Valley Estate (Gold Coast).
• Commercial Building from $5 million up to $50 million – Hutchinson Builders for N°1 ANZAC Square (Brisbane).
• Commercial Building over $50 million – Hutchinson Builders for Midtown Centre (Brisbane).
• Residential Building (high-rise over 3 storeys) up to $20 million – Graya Multi-Res for Maison (Brisbane).
• Residential Building (high-rise over 3 storeys) over $20 million – Multiplex Constructions Qld for The One (Brisbane).
• Refurbishment/Renovation up to $750,000 – Lowcock Builders for Construction of Health Care Space at Bowen TAFE Campus (Mackay & Whitsunday).
• Refurbishment/Renovation over $750,000 – Hutchinson Builders for Herston Quarter Heritage (Brisbane).
• DWF Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety – Multiplex Constructions Qld for The One (Brisbane).
• IPEX Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Arden Architectural for Rio Tinto Fitout (Brisbane)
Housing.
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project up to $200,000 – PJH Constructions Australia for The Coastal Cottage (Gold Coast).
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project from $200,000 up to $400,000 – Bungalow for Ocean Abode (Wide Bay Burnett).
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project from $400,000 up to $650,000 – Acute Builders Pty Ltd for Lennox (Central Queensland).
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project from $650,000 up to $1 million – Paul Spence Constructions for Frew House (Downs & Western).
• The Build & Design Centre Home Renovation/Remodelling Project over $1 million – Hampton Homes Australia for Welsby New Farm (Brisbane).
• Display Home up to $250,000 – James Langtree Builder for Southside Display Home (Far North Queensland).
• Display Home from $250,000 up to $350,000 – Bellevue Design and Construction for Oasis 20 (Brisbane).
• Display Home from $350,000 up to $450,000 – Australian Building Company QLD for Lloyd 29 (Brisbane).
• Display Home from $450,000 up to $550,000 – Arcadia Homes Qld for Northshore (Sunshine Coast).
• James Hardie Display Home over $550,000 – MyStyle Homes (Qld) for MyEvolution (Far North Queensland).
• Individual Home up to $350,000 – Gordon Bourke Constructions for ’Bianca’ (Downs & Western).
• Individual Home from $350,000 up to $450,000 – George Built Constructions for The Mackenzie (Downs & Western).
• Individual Home from $450,000 up to $550,000 – Lyke Homes for The White Coast (Central Queensland).
• Individual Home from $550,000 up to $650,000 – Wolf Constructions for Stoneybrook (Central Queensland).
• Individual Home from $650,000 up to $750,000 – Besal Construction for Dicky Beach House (Sunshine Coast).
• Individual Home from $750,000 up to $950,000 – Lavish Constructions for Queenie Marlow (Downs & Western).
• Individual Home from $950,000 up to $1.25 million – Lamper Constructions for Leeding Residence (Sunshine Coast).
• Individual Home from $1.25 million up to $2 million – Ash Moseley Homes for The Oceanview (Far North Queensland).
• ABI Interiors Individual Home over $2 million – Braeden Constructions for Modern Thai House (Sunshine Coast).
• Truecore Best Use of Steel Frame Housing – DTL Constructions for Coucher de Soleil (Gold Coast).
• Best Use of Sloping Sites – Ash Moseley Homes for The Oceanview (Far North Queensland).
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Nathan Verri for Luxe Villas (Far North Queensland).
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Hutchinson Builders for Parkridge Noosa Stage 3 (Sunshine Coast).
• Weathertex Excellence in Sustainable Living Award – Hezzelic Homes for Ubuntu (Brisbane).
• Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Management – Tomkins Commercial & Industrial Builders Pty Ltd for Centuria Industrial Facility (Brisbane).
• Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Honed + Polished Concrete for Sky Garden House (Sunshine Coast).
Specialty –
• Best Residential Bathroom – Hampton Homes Australia for Welsby New Farm (Brisbane).
• Best Residential Kitchen – Valdal Projects for Joie De Vivre (Downs & Western).
• Best Residential Swimming Pool – Chris Smith Construction for Kareela (Sunshine Coast).
Individual –
• Construction Skills Queensland Apprentice of the Year – Timothy Lucas from Kronk Constructions (Downs & Western).
• Rising Star – Pelham Collins from Collins Constructions (Far North Queensland).
• Xact Accounting Women in Building Award – Amy Evans from Lavish Constructions (Downs & Western).
Major –
• BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – KJ Constructions (Qld) for Reynolds Home Brookwater (Brisbane).
• BCA Certifiers Project of the Year – Multiplex Constructions QLD for The One (Brisbane).
• Colorbond House of the Year Award – Braeden Constructions for Modern Thai House (Sunshine Coast).
