Builder wins among State’s quality field

Karamfiles Builders has come away from the 2019 HIA CSR Western Australia Housing Awards with three awards in a highly competitive field.

The Housing Industry Association awards night was held last month and there were finalists for various categories from throughout the State.

Karamfiles Builders won the Regional Home of the Year, Framed Home of the Year and the Liveable Home of the Year.

“We were also a finalist in four other categories — Custom Home, Greensmart Sustainable Home, Innovation in Housing and Outdoor Project of the Year,” co-owner Franzine Karamfiles said. “We entered the awards to ascertain how we sit in the broader construction industry, not only in the South West but also Statewide.

“Also we are very proud of this home and its unique features and level of finish.”

The “liveable” award means that occupants of any age and ability can comfortably live in the home.

In the business’ winning entry, Mrs Karamfiles said some of her favourite features of the home included its solar passive design with a 7.2 star energy efficiency rating.

“It is a framed home with alternative construction cladding and double glazed windows,” Mrs Karamfiles said.

“It features a stunning local stone chimney and feature wall built by local stonemasons.”

The home makes the most of views and solar passive heating and cooling.

The bathroom of the guest house also won the 2019 Liveable Bathroom of the Year at the HIA WA Laminex Kitchen and Bathroom Awards in July.

Mrs Karamfiles said the business had been focused on solar passive design and alternative construction methods for the past couple of decades and the construction of this project allowed the team to utilise all their skills and principles.