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'Pavilion-style masterpiece' recognised as best in Queensland

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A Sunshine Coast home has been recognised as the best in Queensland at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Sarah Waller Building’s ‘Blackwood’ claimed the top honours as the Queensland Home of the Year at the 2024 HIA-CSR Queensland Housing Awards, held earlier this month at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“This pavilion-style masterpiece reimagines family living with separate zones for socialising, rest and work, as well as a self-contained studio for multi-generational needs,” an awards press release said.

“With indoor-outdoor spaces designed for gatherings, a sunken firepit for intimate evenings and a striking 21-metre freshwater pool reflecting the architectural lines, Blackwood epitomises luxurious yet functional design.

“Its contemporary aesthetic – characterised by off-form concrete, black timber cladding and a minimalist monochromatic palette – creates a serene atmosphere that complements the surrounding landscape and adjacent golf course.”

The Doonan residence is set on 7365sqm and boasts five ensuite bedrooms, six bathrooms and five car spaces.

Blackwood features a 21-metre freshwater pool.

The home includes Italian Terrazzo and oak flooring, black granite kitchen benchtops, high-end appliances, a powder room, multiple alfresco areas, an automated irrigation system and robot lawn mowers.

The state recognition follows Sarah Waller Building’s success at the HIA-TRUECORE Steel Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Housing Awards last month, where it won six accolades including the coveted home of the year title.

Blackwood is now a finalist for the 2025 HIA Australian Home of the Year, to be awarded in Melbourne in May.

Sarah Waller Building was not the only Sunshine Coast business to be recognised, with 12 of the 46 gongs handed out at the Queensland Housing Awards going to Coast builders.

The kitchen of Sarah Waller Building’s award-winning Doonan home.

HIA Queensland executive director Mike Roberts said the awards celebrated the state’s best in residential construction and highlighted innovation, quality and sustainability in the housing sector, serving as a benchmark of excellence for the industry.

“The HIA-CSR Queensland Housing Awards were a reminder that despite the significant challenges of the last few years the home building industry in Queensland continues to do great things,” he said.

“The innovative design and high-quality workmanship on show at these awards is a testament to the high level of skill that sits within the home building industry in Queensland.”

Sunshine Coast winners at the 2024 HIA-CSR Queensland Housing Awards

Sarah Waller Building: Home of the Year; Custom Built Home of the Year; Bathroom Design; Bathroom of the Year; Kitchen Design; Kitchen of the Year

Shine Building: Townhouse/Villa Development

Oly Homes: Modular and Prefabricated Housing; Steel Frame Project

Paul Clout Design: Residential Design

Thompson Sustainable Homes: GreenSmart Sustainable Home

Contemporary Landscaping: Outdoor Project

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