Qld’s House of the Year was inspired the owner’s classis Chevy Impala
Queensland’s House of the Year is a bold luxury home inspired by the owner-builder’s prized classic car.
Gold Coast builders Havendeen took top honours at Master Builders 2024 Queensland Awards for Pala, a sleek five-bedroom dream home at Mermaid Waters.
Designed by Joe Snell, the striking property is home to Havendeen directors Rob and Tui McKinnon and their two young boys.
Unfolding behind a curved facade, the floorplan is anchored by a dark stone kitchen bench beneath a 12m void, while matte black finishes combine with raw textures of concrete, steel and glass to create a sophisticated ambience.
The luxury build at Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast
Dark tones and raw texture throughout
MORE NEWS
Passers-by snap up architect’s home at auction
‘Bang for your buck’: Suburbs John McGrath tips will boom
Chance to live by Elon Musk’s holiday home
Downstairs, the basement entertainment space, complete with golf simulator and showroom garage, provides the ultimate ‘man cave’ experience.
The al fresco zone rivals a six-star resort with its fully heated 12m pool, swim-up cocktail bar, day beds and water fountain plus fire pit lounge, or head upstairs to take in skyline views from the rooftop bar.
Mr McKinnon said the house was named after the family’s beloved vintage Chevrolet Impala, which takes pride of place behind glass in the basement.
Havendeen director Rob McKinnon built the home for his family. Photo: Claudia Baxter
It was named for his prized Chevy Impala
The Chevy Impala debuted in the late 1950s, earning its status in American motoring history for its power and sleek lines.
“It’s an incredible home for family living, and it is also great for entertaining friends and family,” Ms McKinnon said in August, when Pala won the Gold Coast regional awards.
“We’ve lived in the house for a year now and it is exactly how we had planned it, if not better.”
Pala was also named the state’s best Individual Home from $5m to $10m.
There’s a golf simulator in the basement
The heated pool has floating day beds and a swim-up cocktail bar
Bold lines of concrete, steel and glass
Other major awards went to Rycon Constructions, whose flawless renovation earned the BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award for Brisbane Riverside masterpiece, Dutton Park Queenslander, while John Holland won the coveted Xact Accounting Project of the Year Award for their detailed construction of the Logan Hospital Expansion Project – Stage 1.
Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell said this year’s top residential builds ranged from “enviable waterside abodes to stunning rural retreats”.
“The seamless finishes, custom-made features, the marrying of past and present, along with the use of sustainable building materials and integration of technology, are nothing short of marvellous – and we couldn’t be prouder,” Mr Bidwell said.
“Each of these projects and people play a special role in shaping the fabric of their regions and putting our state on the map as arguably boasting the best in the business, no matter what challenges confront them.”
Rob and Tui McKinnon
English (US) · 