Builders capture and celebrate breathtaking beauty of the Far North at 2021 Awards

21 August 2021

THE enviable tropical lifestyle Far North Queensland has to offer was celebrated through the stunning, high-quality work of local builders at the 2021 Housing and Construction Awards.

Master Builders Queensland was excited to welcome a live crowd to the event at the Grand Ballroom, Pullman Hotel Cairns on Saturday, 21 August. Despite the ongoing challenges the industry is facing with ongoing trade and materials shortages and price hikes, this year’s field surprised and delighted the judging panel with the calibre of their workmanship, superb finishes, and detail in construction.

Nathan Verri was the biggest winner on the night, snapping up four Awards for the Pawlowski Residence at Port Douglas, most notably the coveted House of the Year. This modern home features 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, cinema, gymnasium, kitchen and multiple indoor and outdoor living areas across both levels. Upon entry you’re greeted with tropical landscaping and a fully automated home security system. Inside, a stunning Spotted Gum timber staircase and stone feature walls enhance the natural feel, while extra high exposed rafter feature ceiling bring natural light and airflow through the entire home. Pawlowski Residence was also awarded best Individual Home over $2 million, Best Residential Kitchen and Best Swimming Pool.

BESIX Watpac constructed a next-level creative building for creative people to take home the sought-after Project of the Year award for The Ideas Lab, James Cook University Cairns. This exciting project aims to transform the innovation ecosystem in Far North Queensland by being a hub for industry collaboration, with the aim of creating products and processes to drive economic growth and diversity. The cutting-edge facility features a full height atrium with internal gardens and water features, a floating staircase, innovation studios and labs, with BESIX Watpac meeting the LEED targets for construction. The Ideas Lab was also named best Education Facilities over $10 million.

Ticking every box on the client’s brief has earned KCA Constructions FNQ the prestigious President’s Award and best Individual Home from $250,000 up to $350,000 for The Hampton Design. This four-bedroom home embraces the Far North Queensland outdoor lifestyle, with the private rainforest aspect to the rear, and views to Walsh’s Pyramid at the front. The home boasts side access suitable for a large boat and an open plan living area, with large corner sliding doors out to the patio to capture the southerly breeze. Timber features and polished concrete floors complete the appeal of this home, built for a very affordable price.

Among the other big winners on the night was Matt Greenwood Constructions, who scored a hat trick with best Individual Home up to $250,000 for MOOROOBOOL, and best Individual Home from $650,000 up to $750,000 for BELLMERE, while their highly praised third year Nicholas Marino was named Apprentice of the Year.

Master Builders Far North Queensland Regional Manager, Sharon Vella, congratulated the winners across all 40 categories.

“The projects our members have delivered during these tough times truly reflects this year’s theme – Built to rise above – which was inspired by their stellar efforts,” Sharon said.

“Since we were first hit by the pandemic, our members have proven time after time they’ve got the skills and passion to overcome just about anything that’s thrown at them.

“From exciting transformations and breathtaking new builds, to inspiring education and community facilities and sustainable masterpieces, I couldn’t be prouder of our Far North builders, tradies and everyone doing great things in our industry.

“All our 2021 entrants are a valued part of why Master Builders are so trusted and respected, no matter if they have won an Award this year or not. Just being a part of this program is an achievement.”

Major winners

Breathtaking residence delivers lifestyle dreams are made of

Winner of the 2021 Far North Queensland House of the Year – Nathan Verri for Pawlowski Residence.

This modern, two storey tropical home with stunning resort style pool is designed to maximise the 871m² block, surrounding breezes and leafy backdrop. With six bedrooms, four bathrooms, cinema, gymnasium, kitchen and multiple indoor and outdoor living areas across both levels, this home is made for enviable family living and entertaining.

Once inside the home, you are welcomed by a stunning Spotted Gum timber staircase, complemented by Wamberal stone feature walls, each stone individually dry stacked into place.

Enormous feature ceiling voids with multiple oversized pendants complement the space allowing natural light and airflow through the entire home. Beyond these voids, soar massive 8m high ceilings with exposed rafters and quality handcrafted spotted gum linings. The Nathan Verri team built a strong relationship with the clients, delivering a home that dreams are made of.

Judges’ comments:

“The Pawlowski residence is a fine example of bringing together raw materials and the latest building technology to produce a home that is expansive and warm. This design and construct building has features that are both

impressive and functional. The use of feature stone, timber and internal balconies produce multiple living spaces that will suit any occasion or family need. The attention to detail on this project is unparalleled.”

“Amazing vast open living space with mezzanine style upper floor with walkway to perimeter, looking down onto the kitchen.

“Beautiful timber ceilings, extensive stonework, and attention to detail in every aspect of the home.”

Cutting-edge facility takes creativity to the next level

Winner of the 2021 Far North Queensland Project of the Year – The Ideas Lab, James Cook University Cairns by BESIX Watpac

This $27.5 million project received equal funding from the Queensland and Federal governments, with the aim of transforming the innovation ecosystem in the Far North region by being a hub for industry collaboration.

The Ideas Lab is open to James Cook University (JCU) students, staff and innovators from the broader community and industry partners. By leveraging their deep network of technology partners, JCU are aiming to develop and commercialise state-of-the-art technology. The aim is to create products and processes with real commercial application that can drive economic growth and diversity for northern Australia.

Spread across three facility floors, the project includes a full height atrium with internal gardens and water features, a floating staircase, plus glazing screened by both internal and external green walls. Externally, 80% of the façade features a PTFE mesh fabric façade that is used for audio-visual projection. Also including innovation studios and laboratories, an electronics laboratory, teaching spaces, shared office and working space, visualisation lab and meeting rooms, plus solar power and stormwater filtration system, the facility meets the highest LEED Gold environmental and sustainability standard.

Judges’ comments:

“High degree of difficulty with innovation and design.”

“As you walk in you are immediately struck by use of the feature concrete, vegetative green wall and the glass walls and roof.”

“The striking cantilevered feature staircase adds to the impression this building is where special things happen.”

“High level of technology in building as it is a computer lab, as well as offices and multipurpose rooms. This project had to be built while the rest of the university was still functional, making access difficult.”

Embracing the outdoors with home inspired by nature

Winner of the 2021 Far North Queensland President’s Award – The Hampton Design by KCA Constructions FNQ.

Located at the end of a cul-de-sac, nestled against the mountains of a beautiful rainforest setting and a seasonal running stream, The Hampton Design is an ambient oasis.

The natural palette and materials incorporated into this beautiful four-bedroom, two-bathroom home make it something truly special. Textural timber and decking and the pale grey Dune exterior reminiscent of granite and earthy stone create welcoming street appeal.

Inside, glossy Mulgrave stone polished concrete floors catch the eye, giving a modern industrial feel and enhancing the custom-built kitchen, which features a smoky grey mirrored splashback, timber grain cabinetry, and white waterfall island bench.

The children’s bedrooms, bathroom and powder room are united at the rear of the home, while the master suite is a fabulous retreat, boasting a ‘Marilyn Monroe-style’ dressing table, and ensuite with deluxe stone freestanding bath taking in the view from the large window.

The clients’ dream of having nature at their fingertips has been fulfilled via the large corner sliding doors opening onto the patio, capturing the southerly breeze and allowing it to flow right throughout the home.

Judges’ comments:

“Use of 90 degree-angled doors with no corner post give a feeling of openness, as does the glass splashback.”

“Fantastic open plan design, as well as inclusion of louvres for natural airflow.”

“The design allows the owners to fit a boat alongside the house on a tight site. Construction would have been difficult due to access.”

All Far North Queensland winners

Construction

• Health Facilities up to $20 million – Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd for Cairns South Health Facility (Edmonton)
• Education Facilities over $10 million – Watpac Construction Pty Ltd T/A BESIX Watpac for The Ideas Lab, James Cook University Cairns (Smithfield)
• Community Service Facilities – Tomkins Commercial & Industrial Builders Pty Ltd T/A Tomkins Commercial for Home Consortium, Cairns
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Richard Field Constructions Pty Ltd T/A Field Construct for Cairns Esplanade Dining Precinct (Cairns North)
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million – Bryant Building Contractors Pty Ltd for Esplanade Central Oaks Hotel (Cairns)
• Retail Facilities over $5 million – Tomkins Commercial & Industrial Builders Pty Ltd T/A Tomkins Commercial for Home Consortium, Cairns (Portsmith)
• Commercial Building from $5 million up to $50 million – Vis Constructions Pty Ltd for Art Work Spaces (Cairns)
• Community Accommodation for Aged Care and Nursing Homes – Total Construction Pty Limited for Kubirri Aged Care Centre (Mossman)
• Refurbishment/Renovation up to $750,000 – Emmit Builders Pty Ltd for Hungry Jacks Westcourt Cairns (Cairns)
• Refurbishment/Renovation over $750,000 – Vis Constructions Pty Ltd for Court House Refurbishment (Cairns)

Housing

• Display Home up to $250,000 – James Langtree Builder for Gordonvale Display Home (Gordonvale)
• Individual Home up to $250,000 – Matt Greenwood Constructions Pty Ltd for 'MOOROOBOOL' (Mooroobool)
• Individual Home from $250,000 up to $350,000 – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Hampton Design (Bentley Park)
• Individual Home from $350,000 up to $450,000 – MyStyle Homes (QLD) Pty Ltd for MyResort (Trinity Beach)
• Individual Home from $450,000 up to $550,000 – Howe, Jesse Le T/A Howe Building for 'TINAROO VIEWS' (Tinaroo)
• Individual Home from $550,000 up to $650,000 – Boscon Constructions Pty Ltd for Bronzewing Residence (Woree)
• Individual Home from $650,000 up to $750,000 – Matt Greenwood Constructions Pty Ltd for 'BELLMERE' (Redlynch)
• Individual Home from $750,000 up to $950,000 – Ken Fox Homes Pty Ltd for TOWNSEND (Wongaling Beach)
• Individual Home from $950,000 up to $1.25 million – CAIRNS QUALITY HOMES for Crocker Residence (Park Ridge)

• Individual Home from $1.25 million up to $2 million – Moseley Holdings Pty Ltd T/A Ash Moseley Homes for Bluewater House (Trinity Park)
• Individual Home over $2 million – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for Pawlowski Residence (Port Douglas)
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project up to $275,000 – Sherriff Contractors for James Residence (Port Douglas)
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project from $275,000 up to $575,000 – McIntosh Builders for Runnymede (Redlynch)
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project from $575,000 up to $1 million – SWILLVILLE PTY LTD T/A NQ CUSTOM BUILD for Moonooba Creek Homestead (Speewah)
• Home Renovation/Remodelling Project over $1 million – Boscon Constructions Pty Ltd for Hussar Residence (Kanimbla)
• Best Use of Steel Frame Housing – NQ Sheds and Patios Pty Ltd T/A QLD Kit Homes Pty Ltd for The Carrington Residence (Carrington)
• Best Use of Sloping Sites – Allaro Homes Cairns Pty Ltd for Watchman Residence (Brinsmead)
• Medium Density up to 3 Storeys – 2 to 5 Dwellings – O'Farrell Building for Aria Port Douglas Villas (Port Douglas)
• Medium Density up to 3 Storeys – over 5 Dwellings – Plos Constructions for Valle Vista Luxury Apartments (Redlynch)
• Excellence in Sustainable Living – MyStyle Homes (QLD) Pty Ltd for MyFarmhouse (Manunda)

Specialty

• Best Residential Bathroom – Dove Constructions for The Jackson (Atherton)
• Best Residential Kitchen – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for Pawlowski Residence (Port Douglas)
• Best Residential Swimming Pool – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for Pawlowski Residence (Port Douglas)

Individual

• Apprentice of the Year – Nicholas Marino from Matt Greenwood Constructions Pty Ltd (Gordonvale)
• Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Touchstone Tiling Services (NQ) Pty Ltd for Art Work Spaces (Cairns)
• Rising Star – Jesse Howe from Howe, Jesse Le T/A Howe Building (Yungaburra)
• Women in Building – Renee Cherelle Langtree from James Langtree Builder PTY LTD (Gordonvale)

Major

• President's Award – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Hampton Design (Bentley Park)
• Project of the Year – Watpac Construction Pty Ltd T/A BESIX Watpac for The Ideas Lab, James Cook University Cairns (Smithfield)
• House of the Year – Nathan Verri Pty Ltd for Pawlowski Residence (Port Douglas)

ENDS

Media enquiries:

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