24 July 2017
FK Gardner & Sons and Swish Homes Queensland have taken out the major awards at this year’s Master Builders Downs & Western Housing & Construction Awards, held on July 21 at the Armitage Centre and Heritage Bank Auditorium, Toowoomba.
FK Gardner & Sons received the 2017 Downs & Western Project of the Year and also took out the category for Community Service Facilities; while the 2017 Downs & Western House of the Year went to Swish Homes Queensland, along with the awards for Best Residential Bathroom and Individual Home $751,000-$1.25million.
Bryant Brothers Building Group’s work netted them the 2017 Downs & Western President’s Award. They also won Individual Home up to $250,000 and Individual Home $251,000-$350,000.
Master Builders’ CEO, Grant Galvin, congratulated all 40 winners.
“The standard we have seen this year is incredible and demonstrates the impeccable talent and expertise of our industry,” Mr Galvin said.
“The Housing & Construction Awards provide an opportunity to recognise this talent, and it is great that after 30 years, they continue to be sought-after by the state’s top builders and tradespeople.”
A new generation
2017 Downs & Western Project of the Year - F K Gardner & Sons Pty Ltd
The FKG Group were appointed to construct the Flexi School Intergenerational Mentoring Hub, an annex of Centenary Heights State High Schools’ existing Mentoring Hub. The community initiative involved the construction of a state of the art, architecturally-designed learning hub for students who are disengaged from mainstream schooling. The project relied on Government and Community Grants, restricting the budget that required ongoing consultation with the project architect. Close communication helped achieve a successful outcome. While the project encountered difficult challenges along the way, the end result is a facility that provides students with an alternative and safe learning environment that will continue to benefit local youths well into the future.
Faultless design
2017 Downs & Western House of the Year - Swish Design & Construct Pty Ltd T/A Swish Homes Queensland
The judges described this project as “faultless.” The House of the Year took almost two years to design, and was constructed on time and on budget by Swish Homes Queensland. It incorporates unique features including 50mm split Hawthorn black brick sourced from Tasmania, as well as two stone-surround fireplaces sourced from Victoria. The engineered and uniquely designed steel staircase features timber treads and is further complimented by an adjoining second-storey bridge that leads to the main bedroom via a sitting room. The home was designed with the future in mind and has been constructed to suit the landscape and Toowoomba climate.
Family affair
2017 Downs & Western President's Award - Bryant Brothers Building Group Pty Ltd
This large and spacious brick veneer home offers excellent value for money. The home has been designed and constructed to accommodate the owners’ growing family. It incorporates a large rumpus room featuring windows to bring the outside in and capitalise on fabulous rural views. The stylish kitchen, bathrooms, ensuite and powder room add to the finishing touches, while the timber decking to the outdoor areas further enhances the warm features of this home. The home also comes complete with a fully ducted air-conditioning and functioning septic system. The quality finish, size and layout of this home make it an affordable choice for the first home buyer or growing family.
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