20 July 2018
FROM complete structural makeovers and refurbished iconic buildings, to decadent mansions and decorative interiors, this year’s Master Builders Downs & Western Housing & Construction Awards winners have certainly made their mark on Toowoomba and beyond.
Downs Designer Homes and Hutchinson Builders were the big winners at the July 20 event at Rumours International Convention Centre, taking home 10 awards between them, including House of the Year and Project of the Year, respectively.
Hutchinson Builders cleaned up in the commercial categories, with their projects awarded Health Facilities up to $20 million, Health Facilities over $20 million, Retail Facilities up to $5 million, Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Management, Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety and the coveted Project of the Year for their work on St Vincent's Private Hospital Toowoomba refurbishment.
Downs Designer Homes followed on from their 2016 success, winning House of the Year for the second time in three years for their European-inspired lifestyle residence in Rangeville. The home was also recognised for best Individual Home over $2 million and Best Residential Swimming Pool.
Master Builders’ Downs & Western Regional Manager, Linda Rosengreen, congratulated all the winners across the 48 categories.
“The calibre of homes, projects and people entered in this year’s Awards program was extremely impressive,” Ms Rosengreen said.
“The winners in the commercial categories have completed projects that will have a positive impact on the local community now and into the future.
“The quality of the winning homes is second to none and really celebrates the beauty and diversity of the region, which is a credit to everyone involved.”
Major winners
Top notch health facilities take out top gong
Winner of the 2018 Downs & Western Project of the Year – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders
A highly complex design and construct project, the refurbishment of St Vincent's Private Hospital in Toowoomba has seen essential hospital services restored to the region. The operating theatres were the highlight of the project, with five new theatres, plus a hybrid theatre with medical imaging equipment – a first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
A slice of Europe in Toowoomba
Winner of the 2018 Downs & Western House of the Year – Downs Designer Homes Pty Ltd
Designed by architect, John Simpson, this impressive lifestyle residence is inspired by the great villas of Europe. Downs Designer Homes’ quality of finish is evident throughout every feature of this stunning escarpment home.
Features include a grand, sweeping marble staircase, with crafted wrought iron balustrades, along with an eight-metre high tower that includes a coffered ceiling and large arched windows which provide spectacular day and night lighting effects. The Juliette balconies with wrought iron balustrading compliment the overall exclusive European Villa theme.
Functional and affordable living
Winner of the 2018 Downs & Western President’s Award – Swish Design & Construct Pty Ltd T/A Swish Homes Queensland
Swish Homes Queensland’s commitment to delivering a quality, affordable home that offers both value for money and street appeal is evident in the ‘Sander’. The home incorporates a combination of render and Innowood Parrapet walls with a natural stained New Guinea Rosewood VJ Timber front door. Some of the features include a designer kitchen that overlooks the L-shaped living/dining area which opens up with a 90 degree corner stacker door onto the North East facing outdoor area. The home ticks all the boxes of a functional and aesthetically pleasing home.
All Downs & Western winners
Construction
- Health Facilities up to $20 million – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for St Michael’s Rehabilitation Ward, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba (Toowoomba City)
- Health Facilities over $20 million – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for St Vincent's Private Hospital Toowoomba Refurbishment (Toowoomba City)
- Education Facilities up to $10 million – Northbuild Construction Qld Pty Ltd for Highfields Gardens Childcare Centre (Highfields)
- Sporting Facilities – Palmlake Works Pty Ltd for Pinnacle Country Club (Cranley)
- Community Service Facilities – Betros Constructions Pty Ltd for Charley's Place (Toowoomba)
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for Highfields 7-Eleven (Highfields)
- Retail Facilities over $5 million – Mainbrace Constructions (QLD) Pty Limited for Home Co Toowoomba (Kearney Springs)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Ruby Developments Pty Ltd for Living Gems Toowoomba - Country Club (Glenvale)
- Commercial Building up to $5 million – Valdal Projects Pty Ltd for Oakvale Childcare (Glenvale)
- Commercial Building $5 million – $50 million for Tomkins Commercial & Industrial Builders Pty Ltd for University of Queensland JK Murray Library (Gatton)
- Industrial Building over $5 million – Badge Constructions (Qld) Pty Ltd for Darwalla Hatchery (Allora)
- Community Accommodation for Aged Care and Nursing Homes – Paynters Pty Ltd for Carramar Aged Care (Stanthorpe)
- Refurbishment/Renovation up to $750,000 – Askonstructions Pty Ltd T/A Hotondo Homes for Toowoomba Hotondo Homes Toowoomba - Office & Showroom (North Toowoomba)
- Refurbishment/Renovation over $750,000 – FK Gardner and Sons Pty Ltd for Kingaroy Courthouse (Kingaroy)
- Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Management – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for St Vincent's Private Hospital Toowoomba Refurbishment (Toowoomba City)
- Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for St Vincent's Private Hospital Toowoomba Refurbishment (Toowoomba City)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – PCP Solutions Pty Ltd (Toowoomba City)
- Best Heritage Listed Renovation – Northbuild Construction Qld Pty Ltd for City Hall Annex & Auditorium (Toowoomba)
Housing
- Display Home $251,000 – $350,000 – Askonstructions Pty Ltd T/A Hotondo Homes Toowoomba for Essence Display Home (Cotswold Hills)
- Display Home $351,000 – $450,000 – Venchris Constructions Pty Ltd T/A Drysdale Platinum Homes for Ebony (Toowoomba)
- Individual Home up to $250,000 – Venchris Constructions Pty Ltd T/A Drysdale Platinum Homes for Carissa (Toowoomba)
- Individual Home $251,000 – $350,000 – Swish Design & Construct Pty Ltd T/A Swish Homes Queensland for Sander House (Kleinton)
- Individual Home $351,000 – $450,000 – Lavish Constructions Pty Ltd for Sienna House (Glenvale)
- Individual Home $451,000 – $550,000 – Janke Constructions Pty Ltd for Biddeston (Biddeston)
- Individual Home $551,000 – $650,000 – BBC Qld Pty Ltd for Hi-Winds House (Blue Mt Heights)
- Individual Home $651,000 – $750,000 – Winzim Investments Pty Ltd T/A Mark Winter Constructions for Johnson House (Toowoomba)
- Individual Home $751,000 – $950,000 – Janke Constructions Pty Ltd for Archer House (Preston)
- Individual Home $1.26 million – $2 million – Downs Designer Homes Pty Ltd for Bogong Court (Highfields)
- Individual Home over $2 million – Downs Designer Homes Pty Ltd for Kara View Court (Rangeville)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – NJP Carpentry Pty Ltd T/A Titanium Homes for Mockridge (Kearneys Spring)
- Home Renovation/Remodelling Project up to $275,000 – Akt Builders Pty Ltd T/A Performance Building Group for Performance Building Group (Rangeville)
- Home Renovation/Remodelling Project $276,000 – $575,000 – Urbane Build Pty Ltd for Cavell Street (East Toowoomba)
- Home Renovation/Remodelling Project $576,000 – $1 million – Valdal Projects Pty Ltd for Mary Street (East Toowoomba)
- Medium Density up to 3 Storeys – 2 to 5 Dwellings – DJ Buckley Builders Pty Ltd T/A D.S. & B. Joinery for Curtis Street (East Toowoomba)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 Dwellings – Janke Constructions Pty Ltd for Arthur Street (East Toowoomba)
- Lifestyle Housing for High Care Needs, Disabled and Seniors Award – Askonstructions Pty Ltd T/A Hotondo Homes Toowoomba for Blair Lifestyle Home (East Toowoomba)
- Excellence in Sustainable Living – Winzim Investments Pty Ltd T/A Mark Winter Constructions for Baines House (Rockmount)
- Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Southern Stars Air Conditioning Pty Ltd T/A Southern Stars Air Conditioning and Electrical for Srivastava Residence (Toowoomba)
Trade Contractor/Specialty
- Best Residential Bathroom – Winzim Investments Pty Ltd T/A Mark Winter Constructions for Johnson House (Toowoomba)
- Best Residential Kitchen – Weston Kitchens & Bathrooms Pty Ltd for Carlton House (Toowoomba)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Downs Designer Homes Pty Ltd for Kara View Court (Rangeville)
Individual
- Apprentice of the Year – Chelsea Hayward (Roma) from Golden West Apprenticeships
- Rising Star – Nelson Janke (Toowoomba) from Janke Constructions Pty Ltd
- Women in Building – Sue Baldwin (Toowoomba) from Palmlake Works Pty Ltd
- David Turton Memorial Award – Darren Buckley (Toowoomba) from DJ Buckley Builders Pty Ltd
Major
- President's Award – Swish Design & Construct Pty Ltd T/A Swish Homes Queensland for Sander House (Kleinton)
- Project of the Year – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for St Vincent's Private Hospital Toowoomba Refurbishment (Toowoomba City)
- House of the Year – Downs Designer Homes Pty Ltd for Kara View Court (Rangeville)
ENDS
Images
Further images of major award winners are available via Dropbox.
Media enquiries: Julie Russell, Manager Communications & Media via email at julie.russell@mbqld.com.au or on (07) 3225 6436.
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