Curved Mt Lofty home wins top prize at 2025 Downs and Western Housing and Construction Awards
The Darling Downs’ top tradies gathered at Rumours International to celebrate the best the industry has to offer. See the winning projects here.
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A breathtaking curved home that sits atop the Toowoomba Range has taken out the top prize at the 2025 Downs and Western Housing and Construction Awards.
Aurora, by Janke Constructions, was built in 10-degree increments with a flowing design that blends sustainability with luxury.
The workmanship and accuracy from Janke Constructions in marrying up the internal flooring joins and landscaping is nothing short of a technical triumph.
The Janke team carefully incorporated two significant stone pieces and decorative timber beams sentimental to the owner into the structure, uniting past and present in this enviable build.
It is the second time in the past five years that the team has won the top prize, having taken it out in 2020 with the Verve Home, a sprawling, layered design that flows down the Prince Henry Heights escarpment.
The winners of the 2025 awards were announced at a gala dinner at Rumours International on Friday.
Master Builders regional manager Linda Rosengreen said the builders’ passion, skill and dedication did not falter, despite another tough year for the industry.
“Once again, they’ve delivered outstanding projects that make a real difference across the region,” she said.
“This year’s entries show just how committed our members are to getting the job done – and doing it well. Their work is the heartbeat of this industry.
“With new state government investment flowing into housing and local services, and major projects like the Toowoomba Hospital and Equestrian Centre promising long-term opportunities, it’s heartening to see signs of momentum. And it’s our members who bring those plans to life.”
The Presidents Award, which goes to the best mid-priced family home, was won by Corbould Constructions for Tahi.
Meaning ‘together in unison’, Tahi honours the Maori heritage of one of its owners, symbolising the project’s vision of unity and balance.
The renovation and extension of a 1950s cottage blends old and new incorporating an outdoor entertaining area overlooking a beautiful 13-metre lap pool with raised spa.
The stand-alone bathtub in the main bedroom is a highlight, reflecting the commitment to push design boundaries.
Revamp Renovations’ Director Eline Lunney was rewarded for her leadership with the Women in Building Award which her husband Thomas Lunney’s 2024 Rising Star Award won.
Brodie Kleidon from George Built Constructions took out the Apprentice of the Year Award.
All Downs & Western Winners
Major winners
• BMS House of the Year Award – Janke Constructions for Aurora (Mount Lofty)
• Erlandson Finance Group Project of the Year Award – GFG Projects for RDO Equipment Toowoomba (Wellcamp)
• BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Corbould Constructions for Tahi (East Toowoomba) Individual winners
• Apprentice of the Year Award – Brodie Kleidon from George Built Constructions
• Women in Building Award – Eline Lunney from Revamp Renovations Specialty awards
• Best Residential Bathroom – Corbould Constructions for Tahi (East Toowoomba)
• Best Residential Kitchen – Weston Building Group for Project Franklin (East Toowoomba)
• Best Residential Swimming Pool – Rogers Pools for Countryside Charm (East Toowoomba)
Housing awards
• Home Renovation Project up to $300,000 – George Built Constructions for Parkside Cottage (Highfields)
• Home Renovation Project from $300,000 up to $450,000 – Weston Building Group for Project Franklin (East Toowoomba)
• Home Renovation Project from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Hughes Elite Builders for The Perfect Trade Up (Rosenthal Heights)
• Home Renovation Project from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Hotondo Homes Toowoomba for Jacaranda House (Crows Nest)
• Home Renovation Project from $750,000 up to $1 million – Weston Building Group for Eden Cottage (East Toowoomba)
• Home Renovation Project from $1 million up to $2 million – Gray Homes for Hodgson Vale House (Hodgson Vale)
• Best Rural / Remote Home – GHC BUILDING SOLUTIONS for Mountain Station (Mount Tully)
• Individual Home up to $400,000 – Gordon Bourke Constructions for Rowies Retreat (Cambooya)
• Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 – George Built Constructions for Onyx (Kearneys Spring)
• Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 – Bryant Brothers Building Group for Beauaraba House (Biddeston)
• Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 – Stroud Homes Toowoomba for 007GRA (Grapetree)
• Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million – Downs Designer Homes for Grenda (Kearneys Spring)
• David Turton Memorial Award for Individual Home from $1 million up to $1.5 million – Bryant Brothers Building Group for Dantree House (Dalby)
• Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Lavish Constructions for Cheltenham (Mt Lofty)
• Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million – Janke Constructions for Aurora (Mount Lofty)
• Display Home from $400,000 up to $600,000 – Gordon Bourke Constructions for Athena (Kearneys Spring)
• Display Home from $600,000 up to $800,000 – Paragon Homes for Fuente (Kearneys Spring)
• Best Use of Sloping Sites – Ross Hogno Constructionsfor Hooson Home (Highfields)
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Paragon Homes for Seaton Villas (South Toowoomba)
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Hutchinson Builders for Newtown Social Housing (Newtown)
• Excellence in Home Sustainability & Innovation – Lavish Constructions for Cheltenham (Mt Lofty)
• Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Weston Kitchens and Bathrooms for Project Franklin (East Toowoomba)
• Prefabricated and Modular Housing – Hutchinson Builders for Gatton Hospital Staff Accommodation (Gatton) Construction awards
• Health Facilities over $20 million – Hutchinson Builders for Tara Hospital (Tara)
• Education Facilities up to $10 million – McNab for St Saviour’s Primary School Upgrade (South Toowoomba)
• Education Facilities over $10 million – Bryant Building Contractors for Mary Rice Building – St Joseph’s College (Toowoomba)
• Community Service Facilities – Hutchinson Builders for Drayton Fire & Rescue (Drayton)
• Retail Facilities over $5 million – Deluca Corporation for Plainland Home & Life (Plainland)
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Newlands Commercial Construction for St George Harmony Centre (St George)
• Commercial / Industrial Building up to $5 million – Alliance Building & Construction for Plainland Bulky Goods Retail (Plainland)
• Commercial / Industrial Building from $5 million up to $15 million – Built QLD for NAB Toowoomba (Base Building) (Toowoomba City)
• Commercial / Industrial Building from $30 million up to $50 million – GFG Projects for RDO Equipment Toowoomba (Wellcamp)
• Community Accommodation – Total Construction for BlueCare Acacia Gardens Residential Aged Care, Toowoomba (Middle Ridge)
• Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million – Alliance Building & Construction for Realway Office Fitout (Toowoomba City)
• Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $5 million up to $15 million – GFG Projects for Rush House Refurbishment (Toowoomba)
• Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Cooper Commercial for ENT Specialist Rooms, Medici Medical Centre (Toowoomba)
• Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Aspen Stone Construction for The Dairy (Ravensbourne)
Photo gallery from awards night:
Originally published as Curved Mt Lofty home wins top prize at 2025 Downs and Western Housing and Construction Awards
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