Mudgee builders were recognised among the best in the Central West recently at the Master Builders Association Western Region Building Awards, held in Orange.
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AK Constructions won the Innovative Residential Project gong, for their 'Hemp House' in Grattai.
To create the material the hemp hurd was mixed with lime, sand and water, to create the shutters that formed the walls.
Adam Keightley said that both they and the owners entered the project knowing they were "guinea pigs" in terms of working with the material, but their success actually means they've blazed a trail of sorts.
"We've been involved with helping to systemise how hemp walls are done - there are a lot of methods we came up with that will make it easier for builders in the future," he said.
"I've always liked not being in the norm, I've never wanted to put myself into a hole and not try anything new. We've done a rotating cottage which follows the sun, off-form concrete walls - all of these new ideas.
"And this a new material, which is also renewable, and it's carbon neutral and pulls carbon out of the atmosphere throughout the life of the building. Plus it's a good insulator and controls its own humidity."
While Pirie Homes came away with two awards - Contract Home $600,000 to $700,000 as well as the Kitchen Project trophy - both for the same home in Butler Circle on the outskirts of Mudgee.
Ben Pirie said that this project got the nod for "the attention to detail" with its owners also taking plenty of pride in it as well.
"A house like this one is always going to do well, because it's a be-spoke design and a traditional Hampton-style - so it's something we had in the back of our minds to enter," he said.
"We believe in quality finishes - not just put them up and move on - we pride ourselves on having 100 per cent satisfied customers.
"And these clients went over to the awards, they loved it, couldn't believe they were a part of it. Then to come away with two prizes, they were ecstatic."
He added that for Mudgee to have both excel at the Western Regional awards, "goes to show the quality of local builders - the talent here is pretty high".