On Saturday, October 10th, at the Sydney International Convention Centre, Cadence & Co was honoured to take home the 2026 Master Builders Association’s ‘Excellence in Housing Award’ in the category of ‘House Restoration & Additions’.
This award recognises our work on Cedar House, a stunning example of ‘Bush Modernism’ on the outskirts of Sydney. The award considers construction quality, design challenges, material use, and innovation.
We are incredibly proud of this recognition, for our clients and our team, especially because it highlights the values Cadence & Co strives to live by, craftsmanship, collaboration, renewal, and excellence.
A thoughtful renewal of a Bush Modernist home
Poised above Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Cedar House is a picturesque example of the Sydney School’s Bush Modernist aesthetic. Cedar-lined ceilings, exposed Oregon beams and sandstone quarried from virgin rock on site are central to its character.
Our clients had lived in the home for many years, and their needs had (naturally) evolved over time. Some 50 years after being built, the home required a complete adaptation for contemporary living and to prepare it for the next half-century of use.
From the start, our approach was a sensitive edit & enhancement of its abundant existing qualities. We retained the open-plan living arrangement and original stone fireplace while reworking the kitchen spaces, upgrading finishes and strengthening the connection between the interiors and the extensive terraces.
Each intervention considered how the home could work better today while respecting its original spatial intent, material palette and connection to landscape.
Craftsmanship that connects old and new
The success of a restoration often rests on sensitivity to detail: the dimensions of a timber board, the tone of new stone, or the junction between retained and new construction.
At Cedar House, we custom-milled new cedar ceiling boards to match the existing lining. We carefully sourced additional sandstone to complement the original stone and grout mix. We considered timber tones and concrete finishes with the same care.
Resolving complexity with precision
Working within the existing structure required careful planning and sequencing. The renovation involved removing flooring, screed, windows and doors while protecting the exposed cedar ceilings and Oregon beams above.
To create new full-height window and door openings, we concealed structural supports within the existing vaulted roof space. Large-scale, high-performance glazing panels were craned into position and installed with millimetre precision.
These works brought architects, designers, engineers, construction teams and specialist trades together around a shared objective: improve the home’s performance and liveability while preserving its architectural expression.
A restrained palette of bronze metalwork, blackbutt joinery, tadelakt render, stone and marble brought warmth and refinement to the renewed spaces.
Stone flooring now flows from inside to outside, reinforcing the continuity between the home and its terrace.
Retaining what matters, improving what comes next
Approximately 95% of Cedar House’s original structural framework was retained. Preserving existing timber beams, masonry, and stone reduced demolition waste and the need for new materials while extending the home’s life.
High-performance glazing and improved passive shading support better environmental performance. Extended roof planes also create two alfresco living zones, a sheltered lounge overlooking the bushland and an outdoor kitchen designed for family gatherings.
Together, these changes make the home more adaptable to everyday life and strengthen its connection to the landscape.
A shared achievement
The awards assess construction quality, design challenges, material use, value for money, and innovation. Our Cedar House submission brought these themes together through the project’s craftsmanship, technical solutions, material conservation and long-term liveability.
We’re proud of the team and specialist collaborators whose expertise shaped the result. Above all, we thank our clients for their trust and collaboration, and for inviting us to help write the next chapter of their home.
Considering a restoration or addition to your home? Contact Cadence & Co to discuss how our integrated architecture, interiors and construction team can bring your vision to life.