Sutherland Shire company Vivid Built tasted success at the Housing Industry Association’s Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards held at Star City on Saturday night.
The Sylvania based company, partnered by Austral Bricks, won the NSW Spec Home for their project in Edward Street, Sylvania.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is the peak industry association for the Australian residential building sector, supporting the interests of builders, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, building professionals and business partners.
Judges said the Sylvania project resulted in a ‘‘stunning and luxurious home with an impressive response to a very difficult site which makes great use of natural elements’’.
Vivid Built director Kurt Kowaltschny, and business Partner Joe Romanous, were thrilled with Saturday night’s success.
‘‘When Joe and I first considered submitting our Spec Home entry we had no expectations especially considering this was our first ever entry into any award category,’’ Mr Kowaltschny said.
‘‘The judges who attended the property thought the landscaping and external finishes were so impressive they entered us in an additional category of Outdoor Project.
‘‘On the night we were again blown away with being nominated a finalist in the prestigious category of Home of the Year.
Although they missed out on the top gong Mr Kowaltschny said the Spec Home award was “a great endorsement for our company and workmanship”.
‘‘Having our name read out and walking up to the stage in front of all our peers and industry professionals to receive our award for winning the Spec Home category was a humbling experience and gratification of all the hard work put into the construction and selection of finishes,’’ he said.
‘‘The site was our biggest challenge, from street level to the rear of the site there is a 20m drop, couple that with substantial rock excavation you can imagine the logistical nightmare of building on such a difficult site.
‘‘The most difficult facet of the project was actually the most rewarding, the benefit of the house being built into the hillside means the views and aspect attained from each level was beautiful.’’
Mr Kowaltschny said his favourite aspect of the project was actually something his company did not build.
‘‘There is a large natural sandstone outcrop which the house was essentially built around and forms a courtyard for the lower level bedrooms and can be seen from the dinning/kitchen level,’’ he said.
Builders and carpenters by trade, Mr Kowaltschny and Mr Romanous constructed all the carpentry and landscaping components in the four bedroom, 4 bathroom house.
‘‘Every piece of timber from the framing to the decking to the cladding to the flooring was cut, installed, sanded and varnished by us, it was a mammoth task.’’
HIA Executive Director NSW, David Bare, congratulated Vivid Built on their ‘‘outstanding achievement’’ and said the awards recognise excellence in residential construction
‘‘These awards provide a tremendous opportunity for HIA members to showcase their projects and highlight building and design excellence.’’
The winners of major categories in NSW can look forward to progressing to HIA’s national awards next year.
The Edward Street property is now listed for sale through DJW Property in Sylvania Waters.