Master Builders awards: check out the ACT's big winners

A landmark commercial development in Civic and a stunning home in Forrest have taken out the top prizes at the ACT Master Builders 2021 Awards on Friday night.

The 2021 Project of the Year is the Canberra Airport Group’s Constitution Place development built by Construction Control Australia, while the House of the Year went to Manteena Residential, Architects Ring & Associates and The Dept. of Design.

The home in Tennyson Crescent also won Bathroom Project more than $30,000, Custom Built/Project Home more than $2 million and Kitchen Project more than $100,000.

Master Builders ACT said in a statement that the layout was an homage to aeronautical engineering with the home separated into four wings – the living zone, the office, the double-height entry and the sleeping zone.

It said the inspiration for the entry was the glass staircase in the Apple California store, with the teams deciding on a combination of structural glass stringer balustrade that supports the floating timber treads.

The property features a kitchen with two island benches to create the ultimate family gathering space.

“The wall of rich, charcoal grooved panelling cleverly conceals the entry to the roomy butler’s pantry, which has all the storage and functionality the homeowners could ever need,” the statement said.

“This home is the perfect hub of relaxation, studious endeavours, entertainment and creative pursuits.”

The expansive Lego room is a carefully planned space that required lighting and display cabinetry that would best serve the Danish brick creations. With specialist lighting, it also acts as the perfect office/gaming space.

There is also a strong focus on energy efficiency, including 72 solar panels along the roofline and a 90,000-litre ground water tank.

The 4,900 square metre block is complemented by a generous 15 metre by five-metre pool.

Master Builders ACT CEO Michael Hopkins said three MBA members produced this outstanding home for their clients.

“It was a monumental undertaking, and it really is a credit to their level of professionalism that they were able to execute this cohesive design and build,” he said.

“In my time at Master Builders ACT, I can honestly say I have never seen a room like the Lego Room in this home. It’s a testament to our members that they work with their clients so well, that they can deliver these unique elements in a creative and functional way.”

The 80,000 square metre Constitution Place development in the heart of the city, features two outstanding commercial office buildings.

One is the ACT Government headquarters, the other rises 12 storeys and includes the four-level 5-star Adina Hotel, and A-grade commercial office spaces for Evans Dixon, Victory Offices, KPMG, Minter Ellison and King Wood Mallesons from levels six to 12, and the extraordinary ARC Café in the lobby.

The government building features an expansive ground floor atrium lit by floor to ceiling glazing and architecturally designed skylights, five levels of Activity Based Working office floors accessed via either curved glazed lifts or a corkscrew staircase running from the ground floor to level five, and a mezzanine level childcare centre.

Master Builders said that both commercial office buildings celebrated the beauty of Canberra with high ceilings and large windows showing off the stunning surrounds.

Another technically complex area of the build was the curved façade on all corners of the building.

With floor to ceiling stone finishes on the ground floor of both buildings, they are grand entrances for all visitors and tenants.

Master Builders said the use of timber veneer joinery, glass-reinforced concrete, marble wall panelling and broadloom floor finishes, had created a marvellous development that elicits a sense of awe.

Mr Hopkins said Construction Control Australia continue to deliver outstanding projects, year after year.

“Constitution Place is no different. It is an outstanding development that has rightfully earned its place in the heart of the city,” he said

Mr Hopkins said the project had set a precedent for healthy buildings and sustainability in the CBD with its gold WELLs rating and a 5-star NABERS energy rating.

Construction Control Australia won a swag of awards – Commercial or Retail Fitout, Refurbishment or Alteration more than $5 million for the ACT Government office fit-out, Commercial Building $5 million to $20 million for the Willinga Park administration building expansion, Commercial Building more than $50 million for Constitution Place, Onsite Construction Manager of the Year, Project Manager of the Year and the WH&S Targeted Risk Management System for 6 Brindabella.

The ACT winners will now go on to the national awards in Perth next month.