Canberra wins big at national building awards

Canberra enjoyed great success at last night’s 2017 Building Australia Awards in Hobart, with four companies from the Nation’s Capital picking up awards.

Master Builders ACT chief executive Michael Hopkins said the awards promote and recognise “best practice” in building across Australia.

“The awards provide an opportunity to recognise impeccable talent and expertise in the building industry, and 12 finalists from the ACT were recognised for recent project,” said Hopkins.

“Four Canberra residential builders have come away with the National Building Awards this year.”

Monarch Building Solutions winner of the National Display Home ($500,000 to $1.5 million) Photo: Master Builders ACT

One of the annual awards’ most prestigious gongs, National Luxury Project Home ($1 million to $2 million) was awarded to local builder and architect team Preferred Builders and DNA Architects.

The team won for their Yarralumla project, the Oliver Residence. 

Described as a contemporary masterpiece the home’s open-plan design offers spacious and luxurious living.

A standout feature of the Oliver Residence is an outdoor life-sized chessboard. The home is also a pinnacle for sustainability with a six-star energy rating.

Photo supplied by Master Builders ACT. 

This is not the first accolade Preferred Builders and DNA Architects have won for the Oliver Residence. In June, the team won the ACT house of the year and custom-built home more than 350 square metres at the 2017 ACT Master Builders Excellence in Building Awards.

• Related: ACT Architecture Awards 2017: Beautiful homes in small packages among finalists
• Related: Masterful restraint works wonders for Yarralumla home
• Related: Q&A: Residential building designer of the year Adam Hobill

Drewaire Constructions – Winner of the National Alterations/ Additions Award. Photo: Master Builders ACT

Other ACT winners include:

National Environment and Energy Efficiency Residential Award: Pichelmann Custom Building Services Pty Ltd and DNA Architects

National Alterations/ Additions Award ($200,000 to $400,000): Drewaire Constructions Pty Ltd

National Display Home ($500,000 to $1.5 million): Monarch Building Solutions, Turco & Associates and the Dept. of Design.

“These awards reinforce the strong commitment of our local master builders to delivering quality and excellence in their building work and all Canberrans should be proud of how the ACT has been represented on the national stage,” said Hopkins.