Local master builder Dave Brown will have to clear more space on the trophy shelf after winning another Excellence in Building Award, this time for the team’s work on Our Place Wine and Espresso Bar.
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Mr Brown took out the section for Commercial Extensions, Renovations & Refurbishments, $200,000-$400,000 at the awards ceremony in Ballina in early August, but he shares credit with Tarina Dorz and owner Amanda Rudge for their great design and direction.
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It was a four-month renovation project leading up to the opening of the business late last year, after gutting the property and starting with an empty shell.
The demolition included the old shop front which now boasts concertina windows allowing clients to sit at benches opening onto the street, providing quite a unique dining experience for Tenterfield. Timber features throughout the cosy cafe but Mr Brown said the special windows, which arrived in five different pieces, were sourced from Moar Doors and Windows in Armidale.
“Most of the rest, we put together onsite.”
With great specifications and good clients, he said the biggest challenge of the job was lack of site access. There’s 15-minute parking out the front and doctor’s access behind.
Winning the regional award now enters Mr Brown into the state awards to be held in September, although he’s not holding his breath.
“We’re small-fry, compared to the others,” he said.
“You do your best, and hope you’ve done good enough.”
He’s drawn to the more character-filled projects, looking to put a modern spin on older buildings to give them a new lease of life.
“We’re rebuilding the past for our future,” he said.
He has a couple of exciting projects coming up, but is keeping details under wraps for now.
He expressed his appreciation for his clients giving him the opportunity to be in the running for the award, and also to the contributions of local tradesmen electrician Scott Bates and plumber Gill Battersby.
The Our Place project was the first job for crewmember Kodey McCotter, whom Mr Brown has now taken on as an apprentice. Also on the regular crew are Murray Johnson and Blaike Brims, with Adam Genninges and Stu Blaikie taking care of any tiling.