General News

17 August, 2026

Slick house named No. 1

A SPECTACULAR house near Port Douglas has scored a hat trick at Far North Queensland’s 2026 Master Builders Housing and Construction Awards.

By Nick Dalton

Mowbray House, built by Maxa Constructions, was named house of the year.

The architecturally-designed residence, set on 27 hectares south of Port Douglas, also won individual home from $5 million up to $10m and best residential kitchen.

Delivered by Maxa Constructions in partnership with Kelder Architects, Mowbray House was recognised for the exceptional craftsmanship, engineering and attention to detail required to realise an ambitious architectural vision on a steep, elevated site.

Constructed over an 18-month period, the project demanded meticulous planning to create a private sanctuary that integrates seamlessly with the dramatic ridgeline setting, maximises natural light and prevailing breezes, and supports indoor-outdoor living perfectly in tune with the tropical climate and landscape.

The steep terrain posed significant logistical challenges throughout construction. All materials were delivered to a landing area before being transported to the building site by an all-terrain forklift, while concrete trucks and other large vehicles had to reverse almost 200 metres up the narrow driveway.

Maxa Constructions managing director Karl Maxa said being named house of the year, alongside wins for the home’s construction category and kitchen, was an extraordinary result for everyone involved in bringing Mowbray House to life.

“To have Mowbray House recognised with three awards, and particularly to be named house of the year, is incredibly special. This was an ambitious project on a challenging site and it took an exceptional team of people to deliver it,” he said.

BESIX Watpac snapped up a double after setting a new benchmark for innovation, sustainability and construction excellence with contemporary teaching facility JCU The Yeinie Building, including the project of the year award and education facilities over $15m.

The sought-after president’s award went to Higham Building Group for the high-end construction of Yungaburra riverside beauty, Mediterranean Haven.

In the individual category, Kiera Sheppard from Canning Construction was honoured with the woman in building award, hailed as becoming the heart of the family business by strengthening operations, improving client experience and supporting project growth and success, serving as a role model to other women in construction.

NQ Building and Construction co-director Patrick Siegel won the rising star award, commended for quality workmanship, a commitment to training and safety and mentoring the next generation.

For stepping into leadership roles during challenging times, taking initiative and a commitment to his craft saw Nicholas Kilfoy of Kilfoy Cabinets secure the apprentice of the year award.

Master Builders Far North regional manager Sharon Vella said it was “a privilege to share in our members’ journeys in what can be a challenging industry ... our awards program gives us the opportunity to honour them for their incredible work”.

Ms Vella said the judging panel was amazed every year at the high level of nominations.

All Far North Queensland winners

Major winners        

• Cairns Hardware House of the Year Award – Maxa Constructions for Mowbray House (Mowbray)

• Project of the Year Award – BESIX Watpac for JCU The Yeinie Building (Cairns North)

• BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Higham Building Group for Mediterranean Haven (Yungaburra)

Individual winners         

• Apprentice of the Year Award – Nicholas Kilfoy from Kilfoy Cabinets

• Women in Building Award – Kiera Sheppard from Canning Construction

• Rising Star Award – Patrick Siegel from NQ Building & Construction

Specialty winners

• Best Residential Bathroom – Tristan Bugeja Building for The Emerald Retreat (Babinda)

• Best Residential Kitchen – Maxa Constructions for Mowbray House (Mowbray)

• Best Residential Swimming Pool – Collcon for Flagstaff House (Port Douglas)

Housing winners

• Display Home up to $500,000 – Block Commercial for Saunter Rose (Kewarra Beach)

• Display Home from $500,000 up to $750,000 – Five Rivers Constructions for Barracks Pavilion (Gordonvale)

• Home Renovation Project from $350,000 up to $500,000 – Veivers Constructions for Barringtonia Views (Redlynch)

• Home Renovation Project from $650,000 up to $800,000 – Cane Cutter Construction for River Vista Renovation (Innisfail Estate)

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• Home Renovation Project from $800,000 up to $1 million – Howe Building for Rustic Revival (Yungaburra)

• Home Renovation Project over $2 million – Angel Construction for The Tree House (Port Douglas)

• Individual Home up to $450,000 – Langrell Constructions for Stoney Treehouse (Kamerunga)

• Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Freshwater Designer Builders for Kamerunga 235 (Kamerunga)

• Individual Home from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Tristan Bugeja Building for The Emerald Retreat (Babinda)

• Individual Home from $750,000 up to $900,000 – Tailored Homes Cairns for Genesta (Redlynch)

• Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Elements Design (Kanimbla)

• Individual Home from $5 million up to $10 million – Maxa Constructions for Mowbray House (Mowbray)

• Apartment Renovation – Langrell Constructions for Madison on Abbott (Cairns)

• Best Use of Sloping Sites – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Elements Design (Kanimbla)

• Excellence in Home Sustainability & Innovation – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Elements Design (Kanimbla)

• Best Use of Steel Frame Housing – QLD Kit Homes for Hillside Haven (Goldsborough Valley)

• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Neater Constructions (Q) for Low Rise Multi Residential (Palm Cove)

• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Five Rivers Constructions for FRACC - Draper Apartments (Parramatta Park)

• Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster & Texture Coatings for Baha Villas (Port Douglas)

Construction winners

• Health Facilities up to $20 million – Vis Constructions for Pyramid Health Precinct (Gordonvale)

• Health Facilities over $20 million – Hutchinson Builders for Normanton Hospital (Normanton)

• Education Facilities up to $7 million – Richard Field Constructions for Gordonvale State High School Manual Arts Renovation (Gordonvale)

• Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million – Keir QLD for St Stephens College Innovation Centre (Mareeba)

• Education Facilities over $15 million – BESIX Watpac for JCU The Yeinie Building (Cairns North)

• Sporting Facilities – Commercial Property Services (FNQ) for Brothers Stan Williams Park Stadium (Manunda)

• Social Housing Project – Keir QLD for Access Community Housing Earlville Residential Apartments (Earlville)

• Retail Facilities up to $5 million – CPT Constructions QLD for KFC Restaurant and Dual Drive Thru (Innisfail)

• Retail Facilities over $5 million – Vis Constructions for Mareeba Service Station (Mareeba)

• Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $3 million – Hiles Construction for Indie Stage 1 (Paramatta Park)

• Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $3 million up to $10 million – Commercial Property Services (FNQ) for Mercy Place Aged Care Living Facility Refurbishment (Westcourt)

• Commercial / Industrial Building up to $3 million – Hiles Construction for Owen (Craiglie)

• Commercial / Industrial Building from $10 million up to $25 million – CSF Developments for Temperature Controlled, Secure Medical Supplies Facility (Portsmith)

• Best Use of Innovation Commercial – Keir QLD for Red Valley Farms Exotic Mushroom Facility (Lakeland)

• Prefabricated and Modular Commercial Project – Hutchinson Builders for Normanton Hospital (Normanton)

• Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Niesar Commercial for JCU Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC) (Cairns North)

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