A remarkable new home at Separation Creek that harmoniously combines contemporary design with a focus on aesthetics, the environment, and has been built to withstand bushfires, and a stunning new Library and Learning Hub in Warrnambool have been rewarded with top honours at the 2023 Master Builders Victoria Regional Building Awards, Western Region.

BCM Homes from Ballarat took out the title of 2023 MBV Regional Residential Builder of the Year, Western, for the stunning Horizon Beach House which is nestled into a steep slope and features cantilevered balconies and roof lines, creating a robust yet refined architectural response.

While Nicholson Constructions from Warrnambool was awarded the title of 2023 MBV Regional Commercial Builder of the Year, Western, for delivering an exciting new community space which brings together TAFE and library facilities in a seamless integration of old and new, enabling TAFE students, community and visitors to come together in a new, larger, and accessible Library and Learning Centre.

The two top awards were among 29 awards for display homes, custom homes, commercial buildings and renovations announced at a gala dinner at The Pier in Geelong on Friday night (June 23) in front of more than 230 guests.

Master Builders Victoria CEO, Michaela Lihou congratulated the major winners on their outstanding successes, saying the quality of the entries continues to demonstrate the talent and passion of the Victorian building industry.

“Right across our regions, we’re seeing some truly inspiring projects and these award winners across Western Victoria are amongst some of the best. Despite the challenges our industry continues to face, these projects show the true resilience of our members and their commitment to best practice.”

“Our warmest congratulations to all our winners and finalists, especially to the teams from BCM Homes and Nicholson Construction!”

A closer look at the winning residential project reveals an ideal retreat for a family of six with room for extended family and friends. The upper floor provides an open-plan space for kitchen, dining, and living areas, maximising views, and connections between rooms. The exterior colour scheme blends with the surrounding bush landscape, while perforated steel screens ensure privacy. The Horizon Beach House is a testament to construction excellence, demonstrating the benefits of holistic design and sustainability.

The winning commercial project, the reimagining of the Warrnambool Learning & Library hub demonstrates two outstanding quality considerations relating to the feature precast panels and the bespoke feature ceiling joinery. The Nicholson team placed a particular emphasis on quality, the restoration of existing plaster cornice work, throughout the Customs house, refinishing of the original heritage timber floorboards to new café areas, and emphasis on craftsmanship of feature blackbutt to the grand and spiralling central staircases amongst other elements.

Both BCM Homes and Nicholson Construction will now go on to compete at this year’s Victorian Excellence in Construction Awards, being held at Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Friday, August 11.

 

* For the full list of winners and commendations in the 2023 Western Master Builders Victoria Regional Building Awards, see below. More photos of winning projects are available upon request.

RENOVATION/ADDITION

Best Renovation/Addition $500,000-$1M - Hayden Bromley Building (Project: Ballarat Central)

Best Renovation/Addition over $1M - Bespoke Homes and Renovations (Project: Kerrie)

DISPLAY HOMES

Best Display Home $350,000-$500,000 - Geelong Homes (Project: Riverside 246)

Best Display Home over $500,000 - Hamlan Homes (Project: Fyansford)

Best Volume Builder Display Home $250,000-$350,000 - Sherridon Homes (Project: Lara)

Best Volume Builder Display Home over $500,000 – Metricon (Project: Highlander 66)

CUSTOM HOMES

Best Custom Home under $300,000 - VR Builders (Project: Newstead)

Best Custom Home $300,000-$400,000 - Enso Homes (Project: Highton)

Best Custom Home $400,000-$500,000 Joint Winners - Enso Homes (Project: Point Lonsdale) and VR Builders (Project: Maldon)

Best Custom Home $500,000-$600,000 - MJS Built Pty Ltd (Project: East Geelong)

Best Custom Home $600,000-$800,000 MJS Built Pty Ltd - (Project: Connewarre)

  • Special commendation - BuildTrend Homes Pty Ltd (Project: Newnham)

Best Custom Homes $800,000-$1M - MJS Built Pty Ltd (Project: Jan Juc)

Best Custom Home $1M-$2M - Geelong Property Investments (Project: Wye River)

  • Special commendation - Derbyshire Homes (Project: Barwon Heads)

Best Custom Home over $2M - BCM Homes (Project: Separation Creek)

  • Special commendation - Larkin & Drought Builders (Project: Ocean Grove)

 

 

MULTI UNIT DEVELOPMENTS

Best Multi Unit Development - up to 3 units - Jetsonian Constructions (Project: Black Hill)

Best Multi Unit Development - 4 to 12 units - Clancy Constructions (Project: Ocean Grove)

SUSTAINABLE HOME

Best Sustainable Home  - Hamlan Homes (Project: Cumberland, Fyansford)

  • Special commendation - Build Trend Homes P/L (Project: Newham)

Best Sustainable Project - A W Nicholson Pty Ltd t/as Nicholson Construction (Project: Budj Bim Masterplan, Breakaway Creek)

COMMERCIAL AWARD CATEGORIES

Commercial Buildings $1M-$3M - Plan Group Geelong (Project: Metricon Office Geelong)

Commercial Buildings $3M-$6M – Fairbrother (Project: St Francis of the Fields Primary School, Strathfieldsaye)

Commercial Buildings $6M - $20M - A W Nicholson Pty Ltd t/as Nicholson Construction (Project: Warrnambool Learning & Library Hub, Warrnambool)

  • Special commendation - J. Weir (Ballarat) Pty Ltd (Project: Wesley College, Clunes)

Commercial Buildings over $20M - Kane Nicholson Joint Venture (Project: Bendigo TAFE Bendigo City Campus Revitalisation Project, Bendigo)

MAJOR WINNERS                        

Regional Residential Builder of the Year - BCM Homes (Project: Separation Creek)

Regional Commercial Builder of the Year - A W Nicholson Pty Ltd t/as Nicholson Construction (Project:  Warrnambool Learning & Library Hub, Warrnambool)

www.mbav.com.au

 

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW – MBV CEO, Michaela Lihou

 

MEDIA CONTACT – Leigh McClusky 0411 711 780 [email protected]