Builders built proud and tough in the Far North

21 August 2020

QUEENSLAND’S Far North once again proved it’s a force to be reckoned with in the building game at this year’s Master Builders Far North Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.

More than 35 builders, projects and individuals were recognised at the livestreamed event on Friday, 21 August.

Ash Moseley Homes reinforced why they are one of Cairns’ most awarded builders, with their Ragamuffin House honoured as the 2020 House of the Year. The home also won in its category, Individual Home $1.26 million – $2 million, with the judges stating that the luxury of space, changes in levels and interesting finishes and textures made it an extremely livable, unique home.

Their Whitewood House in Mt Sheridan also proved a winner, picking up the Individual Home $751,000 – $950,000 and Best Use of Sloping Sites awards.

Cairns locals, Plos Constructions confirmed their reputation for building quality commercial developments, landing Project of the Year for the new EQL depot in Bunda Street, Cairns. The office complex, which also won best Commercial Building $5 million – $50 million, offers a vibrant, colourful space for the EQL team, with a striking façade a true eye-catcher on the CBD fringe. Plos Constructions’ renovation work on high-end law firm, WGC’s office in Sheridan Street also earnt them accolades for Refurbishment/Renovation over $750,000.

Ashlee Jones Homes were also big winners on the night, bagging the highly sought-after President’s Award for the Jack Project, which additionally earned them best Individual Home $251,000 – $350,000. Their Chad Design home was also recognised in the Individual Home $351,000 – $450,000 category, rounding out a big night for the Cairns-based builders.

Three-generational builder, Nathan Verri, was another multiple winner on the night, accepting four awards, including Home Renovation/Remodelling Project up to $275,000, Individual Home $951,000 – $1.25 million, Medium Density up to 3 Storeys – 2 to 5 Dwellings and Best Residential Bathroom.

Master Builders’ Far North Queensland Manager, Sharon Vella, congratulated the winners across all 37 categories.

“There’s never been a more important time for us to recognise the people and businesses that are doing great things in our industry,” Ms Vella said.

“The Master Builders Housing & Construction Awards are the perfect chance to do this and we were blown away with the number and quality of entries we saw this year, despite the challenges COVID-19 has presented.

“We’re a proud and resilient community and this year’s projects proved we can and will tackle whatever comes our way, head on.”

Major winners

New operations centre results in electrifying win

Winner of the 2020 Far North Queensland Project of the Year – Plos Constructions Pty Ltd for EQL

This stunning Energy Queensland Limited building showcases a quality design with the façade being a major feature of the project.

There is a complex mix of highly insulated glass curtain walls, intricately designed sun screens, awnings and aluminium composite panel cladding, which all work together to maximise views and control the sunlight and heat entering the building.

The interior of the building is just as impressive with a mix of workspaces, meeting rooms and casual spaces with every finish and surface carefully considered.

Judges’ comments:

“EQL office complex is a vibrant, funky and colourful space with great facilities for the modern workplace.

“Externally, the building facade is modern and sophisticated – blending with its surrounds. This office complex is a great example of a fringe CBD office designed to meet function and an inviting space to work. The street façade is the significant design feature of the building envelope.”

“Internally, the building provides flexibility, modern staff amenities and great use of energy efficient design to produce a workspace which will be the envy of many.”

Coastal chic paired with complex build proves a winner

Winner of the 2020 Far North Queensland House of the Year – Ash Moseley Homes for Ragamuffin House

‘Coastal chic’ describes this spacious waterfront residence, with a superb mix of complex design and timeless, elegant finishes.

Some of the many features of the home include the double height entry area, vaulted ceilings, high level glass and large overhangs.

The coastal style is highlighted with features of light oak timber, natural stone, resort style courtyard pool and tropical landscaping.

This home exudes both street and canal front appeal and is a deserving winner of our House of the Year.

Judges’ comments:

“A northern orientation overlooking the canal waterfront ensures comfortable indoor and outdoor living areas.”

“Privacy is assured with courtyards located each side of a floor-to-ceiling glassed hallway, providing a link between the bedrooms and the living areas. These courtyards feature a swimming pool and lush landscaping, bringing the outdoors in through expansive glazing and hi-lite louvres for cross-ventilation.”

“Externally, the impressive façade, steeply pitched roofline and wide overhanging eaves up to 1.5m provide both street and waterfront appeal. Coastal tones using white, grey, blue and green balance beautifully with the contrast of light oak timbers, stormy grey concrete roof tiles and polished exposed concrete step landings.”

“The luxury of space, changes in levels and interesting finishes and textures make this a liveable, unique home.”

“Well deserving of this award.”

Country-style warmth appeals to everyday Aussie

Winner of the 2020 Far North Queensland President’s Award –Ashlee Jones Homes for Jack Project

French Provincial meets Hamptons with the relaxed yet elegant design of this Feluga-based Ashlee Jones home.

With a seamless continuity of natural light throughout, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home fuses country-style warmth with Hamptons sophistication. Designed to engender a feeling of togetherness and relaxation, this spacious open plan home is cleverly designed to offer a gourmet kitchen that overlooks the dining and lounge room with large sliding doors that ensure a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor entertaining.

The bathrooms both offer a resort feel in a classic style, with open shower areas and a freestanding bath in the ensuite for the ultimate relaxation. What a home to aspire to!

Judges’ comments:

“The kitchen is the heart of the home and offers refined elegance while ensuring comfort, functionality and liveability.”

“Quality Smeg appliances are used throughout while a large white island bench integrates colour contrast, adds space for entertaining whilst adding additional storage with doors on both sides.”

“The spectacular master suite is boutique hotel living at its finest. The main bathroom optimises space and adds a modern twist with open plan ‘wet area’ layout of the room. In keeping with the overall quality of the home, marble tiles are laid to ceiling with a single striking feature wall of Ice Mosaic Herringbone tiles.”

“This residence achieves the qualities fit for the President’s Award.”

All Far North Queensland winners

Construction

• Health Facilities up to $20 million – J Hutchinson Builders T/A Hutchinson Builders for Cairns Hospital D6 Mental Health Unit (Cairns)
• Education Facilities up to $10 million – J Hutchinson Builders T/A Hutchinson Builders for St Stephen's Multi-Purpose Hall Development (Mareeba)
• Community Service Facilities – Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd for Bulmba-ja Centre of Contemporary Arts (Cairns)
• Retail Facilities up to $5 million – IQ Construct Pty Ltd for DFS T Galleria (Cairns City)
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million – Orpheus Island Nominees Pty Ltd T/A Orpheus Constructions for Mount Mulligan Lodge (Dimbulah)
• Commercial Building up to $5 million – J Hutchinson Builders T/A Hutchinson Builders for Atherton Disaster Co-ordination Centre (Atherton)
• Commercial Building $5 million – $50 million – Plos Constructions Pty Ltd for EQL (Cairns City)
• Refurbishment/Renovation up to $750,000 – MiHaven Pty Ltd for Share House (Parramatta Park)
• Refurbishment/Renovation over $750,000 – Plos Constructions Pty Ltd for WGC  (Cairns City)

Housing

• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project up to $275,000 – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for Kewarra Renovation (Kewarra Beach)
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project $276,000 – $575,000 – KCA Constructions FNQ Pty Ltd for The Norris Residence (Gordonvale)
• Display Home $251,000 – $350,000 – James Langtree T/A James Langtree Builder for The Rose (Gordonvale)
• Display Home $451,000 – $550,000 – MyStyle Homes (Qld) Pty Ltd for MyEssence (Bentley Park)
• Display Home over $551,000 – Cairns Building and Construction Pty Ltd T/A Phil Kelly Builders for Opal Design (Kewarra Beach)
• Individual Home up to $250,000 – Nq Sheds and Patios Pty Ltd T/A Qld Kit Homes for The Ivy Cottage (Kuranda)
• Individual Home $251,000 – $350,000 – Ashlee Jones Homes Pty Ltd for Jack Project (Feluga)
• Individual Home $351,000 – $450,000 – Ashlee Jones Homes Pty Ltd for The Chad Design (Gordonvale)
• Individual Home $451,000 – $550,000 – Matt Greenwood Constructions Pty Ltd for Gallery (Mount Sheridan)
• Individual Home $551,000 – $650,000 – Lasspost Pty Ltd T/A All Season Home Improvements Cairns Quality Homes for Williamson Residence (Park Ridge)
• Individual Home $651,000 – $750,000 – Flory's Homes Pty Ltd T/A Superior Steel Homes NQ for Carbeen (Walkamin)
• Individual Home $751,000 – $950,000 – Moseley Holdings Pty Ltd T/A Ash Moseley Homes for Whitewood House (Mt Sheridan)
• Individual Home $951,000 – $1.25 million – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for VIVO Bliss Port Douglas
• Individual Home $1.26 million – $2 million – Moseley Holdings Pty Ltd T/A Ash Moseley Homes for Ragamuffin House (Trinity Park)
• Best Use of Steel Frame Housing – Flory's Homes Pty Ltd T/A Superior Steel Homes NQ for Carbeen (Walkamin)
• Best Use of Sloping Sites – Moseley Holdings Pty Ltd T/A Ash Moseley Homes for Whitewood House (Mt Sheridan)
• Medium Density up to 3 Storeys – 2 to 5 Dwellings – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for VIVO Villas (Port Douglas)
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 Dwellings – MiHaven Pty Ltd for MiHaven Living (Cairns)
• Excellence in Sustainable Living – MyStyle Homes (Qld) Pty Ltd for MyEssence (Bentley Park)

Specialty

• Best Residential Bathroom – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for Sorrento Residence (Port Douglas)
• Best Residential Kitchen – Cairns Building and Construction Pty Ltd T/A Phil Kelly Builders for Opal Design (Kewarra Beach)
• Best Residential Swimming Pool – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for Kewarra Renovation (Kewarra Beach)

Individual

• Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Touchstone Tiling Services (NQ) Pty Ltd for Cairns Corporate Tower Ground Floor & Level 1 Refurbishment (Cairns)
• Rising Star – James Langtree from James Langtree Builder (Gordonvale)
• Women in Building – Rebecca Dennien (nee Gilding) from Bestruct Pty Ltd (Cairns)

Major

• President's Award – Ashlee Jones Homes Pty Ltd for Jack Project (Feluga)
• Project of the Year – Plos Constructions Pty Ltd for EQL (Cairns City)
• House of the Year – Moseley Holdings Pty Ltd T/A Ash Moseley Homes for Ragamuffin House (Trinity Park)

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Christine Buzzard, Digital Communications Advisor at christine.buzzard@mbqld.com.au or 3225 6418
Melissa Seiler, Communications Advisor at melissa.seiler@mbqld.com.au or 3225 6424
Julie Russell, Manager Communications & Media at julie.russell@mbqld.com.au or 3225 6436