A unique collaboration between Steve Graves of Bright Alpine Builders and Mark Gleeson of MG Design and Building has led to Chrismont Wine’s new Cellar Door, Restaurant and Larder in Victoria’s King Valley winning the coveted National Building Design of the Year Award 2016.

Announced at the National Association of Building Designers Awards dinner in Queensland on Saturday, 1 October, the project also received awards for Best New/Alteration/Addition Commercial Design, and Best Non-Residential Interior Design. 

Builder Steve Graves says he was extremely pleased with the win, and was extremely gratified to be commissioned by Chrismont’s owners, Arnie and Jo Pizzini to construct the building. 

‘My team was able to work through complex building techniques including the construction of suspended and cantilevered slabs, while enhancing the building’s interior finishings, essentially perfecting Mark Gleeson’s contemporary modernist building design,’ says Steve. ‘Conceptually the building design integrating materials using a range of natural elements was well understood by all parties, and the resulting cellar door is a magnificent example of a solid design born of a clear set of goals.’

Chair of the judging panel and Building Designers Association of Queensland (BDAQ) President, Tamica Lewis, praised Chrismont’s designers for leveraging the natural environment to create an exceptional design. 

‘The combined palette of concrete, stone, wood and glass creates a light and inviting contemporary interior, which makes visitors feel comfortable and invites them to relax and indulge,’ Ms Lewis said. 

‘We were impressed with the way the walls and windows perfectly framed the views of the King Valley to appear as if it was floating above the winery, presenting the location in all of its natural glory.’ 

MG Design & Building principal designer, Mark Gleeson, said he was proud to see a regional project recognised alongside a series of exceptional projects across Australia. 

‘We love creating unique and bespoke designs, and Chrismont Winery is certainly that. We enjoyed the design process from start to finish, and are thrilled with the overall result,’ Mr Gleeson said.

Bright Alpine Builders, best known for their contemporary, award-winning custom home builds, were able to apply their knowledge of premium natural building materials, incorporating exterior spotted gum panels, Glenrowan-quarried granite stone feature walls and other more modern materials and applications within the build. 

Other standout features include polished concrete floors with a retro grind finish, hoop pine plywood ceiling panels positioned with millimetre perfection and an extensive custom-designed tastings bar and commercial cabinetry display featuring walnut veneer, Caesarstone solid surfaces and in-build counter-top wine cooler display buckets

Both the wine tastings area and restaurant allow instant relaxation afforded by sweeping views of the King Valley and Black Range from floor-to-ceiling glass. Connecting to an expansive decking area constructed of suspended and cantilevered concrete slabs this refreshing and functional design feels sophisticated and is similar to the celebrated Streamline Moderne (Art Deco) architectural style of the 1930s.  

Bright Alpine Builders is an an ecologically sustainable building business and 2015 and 2016 HIA awards winner.  Opened in October 2015, the Chrismont Cellar Door, Restaurant and Larder offers wines from both the Chrismont label with its French varietals, and Italian varietals under the La Zona brand, for free tasting. The restaurant is proving the perfect place for diners to explore the wines, not least the fine Italian-style sparkling prosecco matched to traditional Italian and Sicilian fare.

Bright Alpine Builders
Contact Steve Graves
Tel. 0418 607 666
Email. sgraves@netc.net.au
www.brightalpinebuilders.com.au

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