ESSENTIALLY "PRESIDENTIAL" Takes Out Industry’s Most Prestigious Award

Colin and Michelle Clarke are still buzzing with Essentially Residential’s two big wins at the QMBA State Housing & Construction Awards in Brisbane’s Exhibition & Convention Centre recently.

Claiming the President's Award, which recognises quality workmanship, appeal, livability, design and value for money, was an honour made doubly sweet with the group’s win in the Individual House in the $251,000 to $350,000 category.

The award-winning home at the corner of Turnbull Court and Dayman Street, Urangan, was acclaimed by judge's as the ultimate value-for-money beach house. It features an open plan design and perfectly blends the indoors and out to provide comfort, style, easy living and pure enjoyment.

These two very special awards are just the latest in a series of top industry honours Essentially Residential has received over the years.

Judges at all levels have consistently paid special tribute to the group’s leading edge in quality and attention to detail.  Notably an ability to deliver versatility and style in line with today’s design trends, technical innovations and ever-changing product range, while still addressing clients’ lifestyle needs.

"Today’s building environment is extremely competitive, and the proliferation of building, renovation and decorating shows means clients are savvier than ever before," said owner and builder Colin Clark.

"Essentially the industry recognition provided by these awards is an added bonus that showcases the expertise of regional companies and tradesmen and motivates all of us to look to continuous improvement."

The group sets very high standards for itself and thrives on the challenge of developing homes that are not only showpieces but also more importantly, highly functional living spaces and true reflections of the families who own them.

Colin is quick to point out that the group is particularly proud of its tradespeople whose craftsmanship has been widely recognised time and again in an impressive number of Trade Category wins.

"We’re privileged to work with so many talented people who take such great pride in their work, and it’s wonderful to see their skill acknowledged by the industry and happy clients alike," he said.

For the second year running, Colin and Michelle Clark’s Essentially Residential group has claimed the prestigious President’s Award at the regional QMBA Housing Awards for 2011.

The award recognises the achievements and commitment of a builder who consistently delivers quality workmanship and innovation in affordable housing.

Essentially Residential’s stellar track record has seen them earn a reputation for construction excellence and claim an impressive array of awards over the years, at local, state and national level along the way.

“Being recipients of the highly coveted President’s Award for the second year now is truly the icing on the cake,” Colin said.

“We pride ourselves on building quality and innovation into every project by keeping up to date with the latest resources and techniques.

But it’s also about really listening to our clients’ needs and understanding their vision, so we can create a remarkable home that meets their lifestyle.

Essentially Residential’s winning streak didn’t stop there however. The group also secured QMBA awards for their stunning Christensen Street renovation in Urraween, and the superb sustainable design of the custom-built home on the Corner of Dayman Street and Turnbull Court, Urangan.

Essentially Residential has done it again! The expertise of Colin and Michelle Clark and the Colin J Clark Essentially Residential group has been acclaimed at the QMBA Regional Housing Awards.

In true winning style, they walked away from thw glam evening (cheering all the way) with four awards, including the prestigious President's Award.

The President's Award is a special award recognising a builder that has built quality homes combining affordability with quality of workmanship and innovation.

As winners of this major award, Essentially Residential will now progress to judging at the State Awards.

Snaring the enviable Display Home of the Year Award for the stunning Lakehouse at Kingfisher Lakes, as well as two Individual Homes in their Category awards, was truly the icing on the cake.

The LAKEHOUSE wins Display Home of the Year at 2010 QMBA Regional Housing Awards!

• Luxury by the lake

Elegant is the only way to describe this ultimate lakeside executive retreat.

Serene water views and sweeping interiors invite escape from the everyday, in an avant-garde two-storey design ideally suited to those wishing to downsize without compromising on living space.
Finding inspiration from contemporary life, this breathtaking home combines the lustre of glass and stainless steel, with porcelain tiling and polished timber flooring to take advantage of natural light and its stunning location at every turn.

Every creature comfort is catered for with a layout that encompasses three generous bedrooms each with their own ensuite, a study, generous outdoor entertaining areas and a sparkling lap pool.
Sleek minimalism combines beauty with functionality and nowhere is this more apparent than in the simply sensational kitchen, boasting stand-out features direct from the 2009 European collection.
So many special qualities, such luxurious fittings and finishes throughout, a prestige address, a naturally beautiful setting, and a home that offers the best of both worlds – indoors and out.

What more could you want?

• STOP the 'crunch and dump' ... give our timbers a second lease of life

In 2005 EcoRecycle reported that over 300,000 cubic metres of redundant timber was sent to Landfill. The old fashioned ‘crunch and dump’ of retired timber rich structures ranks as one of today’s most preventable acts of human environmental vandalism.

Kennedy Timber’s Rescue and Recovery campaign to extend the life of redundant timbers continues.  Essentially Residential group is proud to support their efforts and play our own part in ensuring we build responsibly and sustainably for future generations.

We as companies, and consumers, must lobby the relevant government bodies to bring about a positive and permanent change.

The rescue and reuse of those timbers remains an underdeveloped avenue, despite protocols in place designed by the National Timber Product Stewardship Group (NTPSG).

To ensure greater numbers of post consumer timber is salvaged from such sites, the NTPSG protocols must be adopted by all levels of government.

These protocols detail safe and proven processes including visual inspections, species assessment, fixture removal handling and safe disposal of residual off-cuts.

Kennedy’s have adopted the NTPSG protocols for handling all redundant timbers.  Their highly developed internal procedures are also subject to regular third party audit, ensuring recycled timber suppliers are provided with clear evidence of environmental compliance.

The reuse of redundant timber is a positive environmentally friendly alternative. Their company tagline speaks volumes – Kennedy Timber ... Where Quality Timber Does Not Cost OUR Earth!

Essentially Residential takes the care of our environment very seriously and wholeheartedly endorse Kennedy’s campaign for the increased recycling of modern timber forests.

• Local Builder Takes Out State Honours

Multi-award winning local builders Colin and Michelle Clark and their Essentially Residential group gained state honours at the prestigious HIA Queensland Housing Awards in front of a packed house at Brisbane's Convention Centre on Saturday night.

The Hervey Bay-based company claimed the crown for Bathroom of the Year, Best Timber Home, and Most Innovative Use of Steel, as well being announced finalists in the Custom Built Homes category. The group's triumph comes hot on the heels of their record-breaking 23 award haul in the Wide Bay regional finals, including the 'House of the Year' title for their stunning work at 23 Nautilus Court, Dundowran.

Essentially Residential drew the judges' acclaim for the stylish bathroom project at Nautilus Court, while a unique home built for sustainable living at 41 Esplanade, Pt Vernon also made a strong impression. The group's work has been described as bold and original, setting a standard that puts them at the forefront of innovation and technical know-how. 'This is a huge thrill for us and caps off an incredibly successful year,' said Colin Clark.

For a regional company to have our work recognised industry-wide at this level speaks volumes for the dedication and consummate skill of every tradesman in our group, all of whom are award winners in their own right.' Essentially Residential's success cements their reputation amongst the creme de la creme of Australian builders, and will see Colin and Michelle heading for the HIA National Finals in Sydney in May 2007.

• Essentially Residential Smashes Award-Winning Record

And the winner of the HIA 'House of the Year' award is...

Essentially Residential. It was music to the ears of multi-award winning Michelle and Colin Clark and their Essentially Residential group, and the crowning glory in a glittering and momentous ceremony that saw them take home an unprecedented 23 awards from the recent Wide Bay regional finals of the HIA Housing Awards.

Champagne flowed and the excitement levels went through the roof as Essentially Residential became the name on everybody's lips and made their triumphant way to the stage again and again. The highly sought after 'House of the Year' title went to their stunning work at 23 Nautilus Court, Dundowran, which also claimed Custom Built Homes $500,000 to $750,000 and Custom Built Home of the Year titles, as well as Bathroom Project of the Year, and Bathroom Project valued up to $15,000.

While the combined talents of Essentially Residential and Staunton's Joinery saw them also claim New Kitchen Project valued over $20,000. Trade Category winners for their superb efforts on the Nautilus Court project were Hayden Stone (Rendering), Bob Hobbs (Tiling), and the team at Hervey Bay Timber Joinery (Timber Joiner category). An innovative home built for sustainable living at 41 Esplanade, Pt Vernon also made its mark, securing the Greensmart Energy Efficient Home of the Year, Outdoor Project of the Year, Best Timber Home, Most Innovative Use of Steel and Kitchen Designer of the Year awards.

Once again Essentially Residential's Trade Contractors came to the fore gaining Roofing and Carpentry awards for their artistry at this remarkable Esplanade home.

The group's bold, original work at 23 Helsham Street, Pt Vernon drew much admiration from the judges and secured the Bathroom Project valued over $15,000 category, with accolades also going to the kitchen at 67 Rosewood Avenue, Torquay Woods in the New Kitchen Project valued up to $10,000 section. Essentially Residential's peerless performance amongst the cream of the area's building fraternity will see them vie for honours at the hotly contested State Finals in Brisbane next month.