West Tamar Council has recognised excellence in design and built form through its annual Design Awards at a ceremony held at the Windsor Community Precinct today.
Properties in Trevallyn, Riverside and Greens Beach caught the collective eyes of the Council’s judging panel across three categories:
– Best Single Dwelling
– Best Renovation/Extension
– Best Multiple Dwelling
West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl said the awards, which began in 2016, aim to encourage good design in a positive way, outside the formal planning and building approval process.
“It is always a privilege to view so many amazing examples of exceptional design and attention to detail in our municipality, and their projects are a credit to the owners, designers and builders who think outside the box to create such architecturally appealing homes,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“We have been formally recognising outstanding design in the West Tamar through the Design Awards since 2016 and continue to encourage design in a positive way outside of the formal planning and building approval process.”
Planning officers, along with the elected members on the panel, poured over the Council’s development and building applications over the past year to narrow the field down to just a select few in each category, from which the winners were ultimately chosen by the panel comprising the Mayor, Councillor Richard Ireland, Principal Strategic Planner Tiffany Heys, Team Leader Planning Krstyna Ennis and Statutory Planner Dee Yuvanesan.
Mayor Holmdahl said the panel was looking for designs that have capacity to stimulate, engage and delight its occupants, visitors and passers-by, as well as considering the extent of innovation, invention and the originality of the designs, sustainability as well as degree of difficulty in terms of ambition and ideas.
“Traditionally, projects that captured the attention of the panel were not necessarily those that cost the most, but those that show ambition and showcase careful design and construction that responded best to the landscape and were pleasing to the eye,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“The project should also be practical for its purpose and designed to consider the surroundings in terms of privacy, views, environment and established character.”
WINNERS BY CATEGORY
1. Best Single Dwelling – 30 Penrith Street, Riverside. Designer: Lauren Powell and Alan Powell. Builder: Joel Taylor.
30 Penrith Street is an outstanding example of contemporary single dwelling design. The home presents a balanced, well-proportioned built form that contributes positively to the surrounding streetscape while offering a modern and refined aesthetic.
2. Best Renovation/Extension – 160 Gardners Road, Greens Beach. Owner: Roger Brissenden. Designer: Plans to Build. Builder: Malcom Nicolson Builder.
160 Gardners Road, Greens Beach stands as an exceptional example of how a renovation can completely revitalise an existing building while strengthening its connection to place, landscape, and contemporary living standards. The project successfully transforms an ageing structure into a highly functional, visually refined home that responds sensitively to its coastal setting.
3. Best Multiple Dwelling – 83 Lachlan Parade, Trevallyn. Owner: Grant McCarthy, Lizyl McCarthy, James McCarthy and Nardia Nelson. Builder: James McCarthy and Nardia Nelson. Designer: 6tyo.
83 Lachlan Parade delivers a well‑resolved multiple‑dwelling development that successfully balances contemporary design, high‑quality amenity, and a respectful contribution to the surrounding neighbourhood character. The project demonstrates a clear and cohesive architectural vision, with a built form that is well‑proportioned, articulated, and responsive to site conditions.
All winners will receive a Tasmanian specialty timber peg hand-crafted by Brad Latham, which represents a survey peg which often marks the beginning of a build project.