A luxury Queensland riverside mansion has seen massive success at the inaugural National Building Design Awards by taking three prizes including the program’s top gong: the ‘National Building Design of the Year’.

River House in Minyama, Queensland by Gerard Smith Design was called a “delightful and triumphant design” by awards host Kevin McLeod (Grand Designs), and triumphant it was. The minimalistic open planned residence also took out the ‘Best Residential Interiors Design’ and ‘Best New Residential Design – over $1 million construction cost’.

The night was definitely one for Queensland with the National Association of Building Designers (NABD) awarding the majority of the prizes to building designers from the Sunshine Coast.  The Cubby House, on Sunshine Beach by Chris Clout Design was awarded the ‘Best Alteration/Addition in Residential Design’ prize and the Sloan Residence in Maroochydore by Reitsma was called the ‘Best Small Lot Design’.

The River House beat high-end homes in Sydney, Melbourne and across the country to be named the inaugural National Building Design of the Year.

The NABD said each entry was judged on its success as a design solution, its measure of sustainability, the relationship of internal and external spaces, utility, quality and balance of interior and exterior aesthetics.

McLeod was pleased with the level of competition and said the awards showcased the expertise, creativity and excellence of many building designers across Australia.

Below: Sloan Residence in Maroochydore by Reitsma was called the ‘Best Small Lot Design’

 “The Awards demonstrate the skill and innovation behind Australia’s best building designers for residential and commercial projects. It was a great pleasure to be able to present these awards and share an evening with such a gifted and brilliant bunch of people,” McCloud said.

A full list of winning projects will be made available here:

Below: The Cubby House by Chris Clout Design.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Image Credits: River House, Gerard Smith Design; Sloan Residence, Reitsma website; The Cubby House, Chris Clout Design.