Siblings rejoice at award win
AN innovative, energyefficient family home at Point Lonsdale helped O’Dowd Design and Construction take top honours in the 2012 Master Builder Association’s state awards.
Point Lonsdale siblings Chris and Geraldine O’Dowd and their company, O’Dowd Design and Construction, were recognised for their outstanding building and design skills.
The house at Glaneuse Rd won t he company t he Victorian MBA’s prestigious Regional Residential Builder of the Year Award. ‘‘We thought we had a one-in-four chance but we were surprised and thrilled,’’ Mr O’Dowd said.
The company previously won Best Custom Home Over $ 700,000 and Best Sustainable Energy Project for the property, which comprises a 330sq m two-storey house on a 930sq m block.
The design combined energy- efficient principles with sustainable building practices but Mr O’Dowd said one of the biggest challenges was the allotment.
‘‘The original site had an old house on it surrounded by native trees and vegetation which we wanted to maintain as much as poss- ible,’’ he said. ‘‘So it was difficult to build around it, but worth the effort as now the new house is surrounded by an established garden.’’
MBA executive director Brian Welch said the award attracted quality competition. ‘‘This is a tough competition to win and the finalists know it can make a powerful difference to their reputation,’’ he said.