Mr Smith was honoured last night at a glittering ceremony hosted by the Building Designers Association of Queensland (BDAQ) at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
It was the first time in the Awards’ 20 year history a renovation design had won the main prize and BDAQ President Greg Pershouse commended Mr Smith on his triumph.
“It’s a testament to the absolute star quality of Gerard’s work that he has won this award,” Mr Pershouse said.
“Renovations are a category often handicapped by budget limitations and existing building restrictions, so this was no easy feat.”
Working for Noosa Heads’ Mojo Design, Mr Smith completely reworked an existing three bedroom home into a palatial abode complete with new master bedroom and ensuite, media room, gym and powder room.
The design also incorporated a range of sustainability features including passive solar design, subterranean concrete tanks for water harvesting, pre-wiring for a solar energy generation system, and energy efficient hot water systems.
Mr Pershouse said it was a truly fabulous home that would be a delight to live in.
“The inspiration for the palette of materials and colours was drawn from the native bush surrounds,” Mr Pershouse said.
“The design objective was to match the warmth and texture of the interior to the neighbouring trees and this sympathetic approach to the natural environment creates a harmonious balance between interior and exterior.”
The Queensland Building Designers Awards are the centrepiece of the BDAQ’s calendar and showcase outstanding examples of innovation, style and quality in the industry.
This year’s event recognised designs from across the industry, including new houses and renovations, commercial and industrial projects, multi-residential and special feature categories.
See a full list of winners and finalists by clicking on the link to the right.
