A bespoke residence hailed a masterclass in complex construction, a landmark educational facility steeped in innovation and sustainability, and a riverside abode bursting with personality have scooped the pool at the 2026 Far North Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.
The best in the business walked the red carpet for the region’s most anticipated event of the year at the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday, 8 August.
Max Constructions scored a hat-trick for the stunning Mowbray House, winning the prestigious Cairns Hardware House of the Year Award, as well as Best Residential Kitchen and Individual Home from $5 million up to $10 million.
BESIX Watpac snapped up a double after setting a new benchmark for innovation, sustainability and construction excellence with contemporary teaching facility JCU The Yeinie Building, including the Project of the Year Award and Education Facilities over $15 million.
The sought-after BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award went to Higham Building Group for the high-end construction of Yungaburra riverside beauty, Mediterranean Haven.
In the Individual category, Kiera Sheppard from Canning Construction was honoured with the Women in Building Award, hailed as becoming the heart of the family business by strengthening operations, improving client experience, and supporting project growth and success, serving as a role model to other women in construction.
NQ Building & Construction co-director Patrick Siegel won the Rising Star Award, commended for quality workmanship, a commitment to training and safety, and mentoring the next generation. And, stepping into leadership roles during challenging times, taking initiative, and a commitment to his craft saw Nicholas Kilfoy of Kilfoy Cabinets secure the Apprentice of the Year Award.
“It’s a privilege to share in our members’ journeys in what can be a challenging industry – and our Awards program gives us the opportunity to honour them for their incredible work,” Master Builders Regional Manager – Far North Queensland, Sharon Vella, said.
“While the photos of the end products are impressive, our judging panel is amazed every year at the next-level planning, ingenuity, collaboration and detail that goes into each project. Our individual Awards also spotlight the current and future leaders whose efforts are helping shape our industry and prove why a career in construction can be so rewarding.
“Congratulations to all our entrants and winners.”
Major winners
Winner of the 2026 Far North Queensland Cairns Hardware House of the Year Award – Maxa Constructions for Mowbray House. Mowbray House is a masterclass in craftsmanship, complex structural detailing, and highly coordinated construction. The curved off-form concrete roof is the home’s crowning glory, while the interior raked ceilings, stunning custom joinery and plastered bulkheads speak to the innovation by Maxa Constructions. Our judges applauded the team overcoming significant construction challenges, mastering curved structural elements, a steep site, and weather disruptions including Cyclone Jasper. The result is a breathtaking abode that reflects the very best of contemporary building and design.
Winner of the 2026 Far North Queensland BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Higham Building Group for Mediterranean Haven. Mediterranean Haven is an exceptional home bursting with personality. Our judges were impressed from the moment they arrived, with the curved wall at the entrance echoing the expertly crafted soft curved feature walls and arched doorways inside. The custom timber cabinetry and statement stone selections again speak to high-end construction. Our panel applauded the indoor-outdoor flow to the river’s edge, where the sweeping verandah and curved resort-style bathroom wall celebrate the seamless living experience the Higham team has delivered.
Winner of the 2026 Far North Queensland Project of the Year Award – BESIX Watpac for JCU The Yeinie Building. This exceptional project has set a new benchmark for innovation, sustainability, and construction excellence in Far North Queensland. This high-quality teaching facility features bespoke timber wall battens throughout, requiring a four-month mass-timber lead time; a stunning copper shingled wall adorning the Connection to Country space; and feature lighting celebrating these striking elements. The BESIX Watpac team overcame significant technical and environmental challenges, including Cyclone Jasper, and undertook extensive planning and workforce training, to deliver a durable, sustainable and contemporary facility.
All Far North Queensland winners
Major winners
- Cairns Hardware House of the Year Award – Maxa Constructions for Mowbray House (Mowbray)
- Project of the Year Award – BESIX Watpac for JCU The Yeinie Building (Cairns North)
- BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Higham Building Group for Mediterranean Haven (Yungaburra)
Individual winners
- Apprentice of the Year Award – Nicholas Kilfoy from Kilfoy Cabinets
- Women in Building Award – Kiera Sheppard from Canning Construction
- Rising Star Award – Patrick Siegel from NQ Building & Construction
Specialty winners
- Best Residential Bathroom – Tristan Bugeja Building for The Emerald Retreat (Babinda)
- Best Residential Kitchen – Maxa Constructions for Mowbray House (Mowbray)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Collcon for Flagstaff House (Port Douglas)
Housing winners
- Display Home up to $500,000 – Block Commercial for Saunter Rose (Kewarra Beach)
- Display Home from $500,000 up to $750,000 – Five Rivers Constructions for Barracks Pavilion (Gordonvale)
- Home Renovation Project from $350,000 up to $500,000 – Veivers Constructions for Barringtonia Views (Redlynch)
- Home Renovation Project from $650,000 up to $800,000 – Cane Cutter Construction for River Vista Renovation (Innisfail Estate)
- Home Renovation Project from $800,000 up to $1 million – Howe Building for Rustic Revival (Yungaburra)
- Home Renovation Project over $2 million – Angel Construction for The Tree House (Port Douglas)
- Individual Home up to $450,000 – Langrell Constructions for Stoney Treehouse (Kamerunga)
- Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Freshwater Designer Builders for Kamerunga 235 (Kamerunga)
- Individual Home from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Tristan Bugeja Building for The Emerald Retreat (Babinda)
- Individual Home from $750,000 up to $900,000 – Tailored Homes Cairns for Genesta (Redlynch)
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Elements Design (Kanimbla)
- Individual Home from $5 million up to $10 million – Maxa Constructions for Mowbray House (Mowbray)
- Apartment Renovation – Langrell Constructions for Madison on Abbott (Cairns)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Elements Design (Kanimbla)
- Excellence in Home Sustainability & Innovation – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Elements Design (Kanimbla)
- Best Use of Steel Frame Housing – QLD Kit Homes for Hillside Haven (Goldsborough Valley)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Neater Constructions (Q) for Low Rise Multi Residential (Palm Cove)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Five Rivers Constructions for FRACC - Draper Apartments (Parramatta Park)
- Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster & Texture Coatings for Baha Villas (Port Douglas)
Construction winners
- Health Facilities up to $20 million – Vis Constructions for Pyramid Health Precinct (Gordonvale)
- Health Facilities over $20 million – Hutchinson Builders for Normanton Hospital (Normanton)
- Education Facilities up to $7 million – Richard Field Constructions for Gordonvale State High School Manual Arts Renovation (Gordonvale)
- Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million – Keir QLD for St Stephens College Innovation Centre (Mareeba)
- Education Facilities over $15 million – BESIX Watpac for JCU The Yeinie Building (Cairns North)
- Sporting Facilities – Commercial Property Services (FNQ) for Brothers Stan Williams Park Stadium (Manunda)
- Social Housing Project – Keir QLD for Access Community Housing Earlville Residential Apartments (Earlville)
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million – CPT Constructions QLD for KFC Restaurant and Dual Drive Thru (Innisfail)
- Retail Facilities over $5 million – Vis Constructions for Mareeba Service Station (Mareeba)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $3 million – Hiles Construction for Indie Stage 1 (Paramatta Park)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $3 million up to $10 million – Commercial Property Services (FNQ) for Mercy Place Aged Care Living Facility Refurbishment (Westcourt)
- Commercial / Industrial Building up to $3 million – Hiles Construction for Owen (Craiglie)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $10 million up to $25 million – CSF Developments for Temperature Controlled, Secure Medical Supplies Facility (Portsmith)
- Best Use of Innovation Commercial – Keir QLD for Red Valley Farms Exotic Mushroom Facility (Lakeland)
- Prefabricated and Modular Commercial Project – Hutchinson Builders for Normanton Hospital (Normanton)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Niesar Commercial for JCU Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC) (Cairns North)