An Illawarra builder has been recognised for the almost 12 months spent renovating and restoring a century-plus old heritage terrace in Paddington.
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Unanderra-based builders Souter Built were presented with two awards on Saturday night from the Master Builders Association, in the categories of 'Best Renovation and Addition' and 'Best Heritage Restoration'.
The Master Builders Association hosted its annual regional awards gala evening at the Ulladulla Civic Centre.
These awards cover the South East region of NSW, spanning from Sydney to the Victorian border.
"To achieve these awards makes me so proud of my team as they have really embraced our approach for attention to detail," director Adam Souter said.
"As the world that we live in today is single use, restorations and alterations and additions to buildings is one of the most sustainable practices that we can achieve, especially when the dwelling is over 100 years old."
Mr Souter said they sought to transform the dated terrace with an overgrown backyard into an "inner-city haven".
He told the Mercury that the house had been "quite dilapidated", and was difficult to access.
"One-hour parking at the front of the street, narrow lane... And everything - machinery, materials, concrete - had to be through the front door, as there was no rear lane access," he said.
Mr Souter said the property was located within a heritage conservation area.
"That means there's strict guidelines of what you can do to the heritage aspect of the house, and you have to abide by them," he said.
"Also the trades that we had to get on-site; we had to screed in cornice to remove sections of walls, where trades like that aren't really taught at TAFE any more."
Mr Souter said the home had previously featured small, pokey rooms with no flow.
He said the clients' vision was to open up the back area to flow into the garden, which was previously overgrown and lacking atmosphere, and therefore not used.
This project was designed by Hector Abrahams Architects.
Souter Built are now entered into the statewide awards, with winners to be announced on September 7.
Souter Built won three Master Builders Association Awards for the Southern Region of NSW last year.
The building firm took out the Master Builders Association Award for best alteration and addition valued between $1 million and $1.5 million, best bathroom renovation over $50,000 and best commercial refurbishment under $500,000.
The refurbishment was for the Toscani blow bar business in Wollongong.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
