The project expanded the original building while maintaining the same heritage aesthetic. Images: Master Builders ACT.
Canberra’s best builders have been recognised at this year’s Master Builders and Asset Construction Hire Excellence Awards, showcasing the exceptional talent and quality of the region’s construction industry.
A record 236 finalists were selected across 59 categories, with the best of the best awarded at the National Convention Centre.
Sponsored by Asset Construction Hire, the 2026 award night marks 36 years of Master Builders ACT recognising talent in Canberra’s building and construction sector, with this year’s program attracting a record 250 entries.
“The competition this year is one of the most intense we have seen to date,” Master Builders ACT CEO, Anna Neelagama, said.
“The calibre of entries across every category reflects an industry operating at the very top of its game, delivering homes, projects and infrastructure that set new benchmarks not only for the ACT, but for the nation.”
Lendlease took home the Project of the Year and Commercial Project of the Year awards for the Anzac Hall and Atrium at the Australian War Memorial, one of the most complex and technically ambitious public buildings ever built in Australia.
The project expanded the memorial’s heritage precinct while respecting the original building. Judges praised the project as “excellence at a grand scale”.
What caught the judges’ eye was the 130-metre curved raking concrete wall, clad with 3600 pieces of sandstone sourced from the same quarry location that provided material for the original 1940s structure, showing the project’s dedication to respecting the heritage.
GEN5 Constructions and Habitat Constructions won both House of the Year and Custom/Built Project Home of 2026 for their $8 million-plus certified Passive House Plus residence in Turner.
Award judges called it one of the country’s most technically ambitious homes.
The award for Bathroom Project less than $50,000 went to Refined Building and Developments for a townhouse bathroom renovation in Yarralumla, delivering a calm, high-end environment with a stone bath and botanical feature tiles.
Individual winners include Young Builder of the Year, Mark Cole with Freedom Built, recognised for his high-performance architectural homes and his commitment to quality, safety and hands-on leadership.
Construction Woman of the Year went to Chloe Templeton with Construction Control Australia, awarded for her strong organisational skills and contracts expertise.
Other winners include Professional of the Year, Richard Yarad of Lendlease Construction, Project Manager of the Year, Mark Gallagher, with BMD Group and Onsite Construction Manager of the Year, Darren Jarrett, also with BMD Group.
“These awards shine a light on the people and businesses whose skill, dedication and innovation shape our city. Every winner tonight should be immensely proud,” Ms Neelagama said.
“We are also thrilled to note that 42 of our winners will now go on to represent the ACT at the Master Builders Australia 2026 National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards in November.”
The Master Builders Australia 2026 National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards will be held on 26 and 27 November in Brisbane.
A full list of winners can be found at Master Builders ACT.
