Larkin and Drought Builders Pty Ltd and Kane Fairbrother (Kane Constructions and Fairbrother Joint Venture) received top honours tonight at the South West Master Builders Regional Building Awards, held at The Pier in Geelong.
Larkin and Drought was named Residential Builder of the Year (South West) for a Barwon Heads home that features concrete walls contrasted with American oak as the primary architectural feature.
Cupboards, doors and panels were chosen to match the ceiling lining, which reaches as high as seven metres. A custom brass pendant was designed and constructed to be the central piece above the dining area. Spotted gum decking was layed around the pool and alfresco area. Kitchen benchtops were poured in place and then polished. Culcutta marble splashbacks were used as a contrast and the theme was continued into the wet areas for benchtops.
“One of the most compelling aspects of this home is the visual impact of the way the builders fit the concrete and wood volumes together,” Master Builders Victoria CEO Rebecca Casson said. “The rough and smooth forms rest against each other in a very satisfying way.”
Kane Fairbrother was named Commercial Builder of the Year (South West) for its work on Rivergum Residential Treatment Centre, in Ararat.
Rivergum is a secure, 20-bed facility that provides short-term treatment for offenders, on supervision orders. The facility includes 20 cottage-style units, administration buildings, a multi-faith chapel, recreational spaces, landscaping and supporting infrastructure. Designed by architects Guymer Bailey, the Rivergum features various forms, shapes and sizes of its namesake building material across façade cladding, screens, structural elements, ceilings, window shades and signage, which develops a patina over time. Rivergum has an environmentally friendly design that features a 230kW solar PV system and a geothermal heating and cooling system that uses natural thermal properties of in-ground water to maintain optimum internal temperatures.
“Kane Fairbrother has constructed living quarters that respond well to a difficult program challenge, blending institutional rigour with environmental awareness for both residents and the community the building serves,” Ms Casson said.
Larkin and Drought will now compete in the Victorian Excellence in Housing Awards to be held on 11 October in Melbourne. Kane Fairbrother will compete in the Victorian Excellence in Construction Awards to be held on 16 August at Palladium, Crown.
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