O’Shea & Sons were the talk of the town at the 2025 Master Builders Awards
O’Shea & Sons Builders was recognised with four major awards at the 2025 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards, held in July at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Celebrating excellence in building and construction, the awards highlighted O’Shea & Sons’ outstanding contributions to the industry. As the most awarded builder on the night, O’Shea & Sons’ success reflects the business’s innovation, and commitment to quality.
In addition to the accolades collected at the Brisbane awards, O’Shea & Sons was also awarded two prestigious awards at the 2025 Master Builders Queensland awards. The first was for Best Residential Swimming Pool (Kamares sto Appia), while the second crowned Kamares sto Appia the winner in the Individual Home from 2.5 million to $3 million category.
These state-level wins culminated in national recognition, with Kamares sto Appia taking out the National Contract Home Award ($2 million–$4 million) at the 2025 National Excellence in Building & Construction Awards, held in Adelaide, South Australia. Hosted by Master Builders Australia, the awards recognise the nation’s most outstanding projects and companies. This achievement positions O’Shea & Sons among Australia’s leading builders, celebrating excellence from state success through to national distinction.
O’Shea & Sons Builders has been leading the way in designing and constructing unique, high-quality homes throughout Brisbane for more than a decade. By combining timeless craftsmanship with the latest technology in each of their projects, every home they build is a masterpiece. Their commitment to integrity, transparency and reliability has made O’Shea & Sons a trusted partner for those looking to create their dream home.
Best Individual Home $2.5 million to $3 million
Best Residential Swimming Pool
Best National Contract Home $2 million to $4 million
Completed in February 2024, this Brisbane beauty is home to a renowned local businessman and his family. Born out of the owner’s dream to capture the Mediterranean lifestyle, Kamares sto Appia is a fusion of modern civic architectural style, beautifully blended with the timeless charm of traditional Mediterranean architecture and contemporary amenities and functionality.
The project faced challenges, including a block with three street frontages, an unusual shape and restricted access, compounded by the decision to build a fully concrete house. However, these hurdles were overcome thanks to the exceptional collaboration of Daniel Zullo from DZ Architects, Joanna Kane from Merge Interior Design, and Nick and Carly O’Shea from O’Shea & Sons Builders.
O’Shea & Sons, a team of artisans dedicated to creating Life Ready homes, played a vital role in the creation of this one-of-a-kind property. The design emphasises natural materials, with timber, marble and stone key to the Mediterranean aesthetic.
The use of travertine guided the meticulous selection of materials to enhance its presence throughout. Italian porcelain was used to create timeless internal spaces, while lush feature tiles in the bathrooms evoke the colourful charm of Mediterranean villages. Black window and door frames added a modern touch, harmonising with repeated design motifs such as arches, curves and columns, which appear across the facade, joinery, tiling, cladding and fixtures.
A standout feature is the powder-coated aluminium arched batten screening, echoing the concrete arches below. This provides a stunning visual effect, filtering light and casting beautiful shadows inside, particularly at the main entry. The walkways, driveways and outdoor entertaining areas are finished with crazy pave, referencing the charming pathways of the Greek Islands. The exterior boasts a unique undulated render, called drunken render, that celebrates organic textures, applied to both the home’s exterior and some interior walls.
Designed by Satori Pools to capture a resort-like feel, the pool area is more than just a place to swim; it’s a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. It’s also an award winner that was crowned the Best Residential Swimming Pool at the 2025 Master Builders Brisbane and 2025 Master Builders Queensland awards. “Comfortable lounge chairs positioned in the shallow end invite guests to bask in the sun while enjoying the water,” says Chanice Hornberg of Satori Pools. Incorporating the latest in pool technology, this oasis boasts advanced automation and heating systems. With just the touch of a button, users can control the pool’s temperature, lighting and water features, ensuring a personalised and hassle-free experience. The heated spa adds an extra layer of luxury, allowing for year-round enjoyment regardless of the weather.
The pool’s fully tiled surface not only adds to its aesthetic appeal, but also ensures durability and ease of maintenance. The tiles, chosen for their quality and visual appeal, shimmer under the sunlight, creating a captivating and inviting water feature. This attention to detail is a hallmark of Satori Pools’ commitment to excellence.
Kamares sto Appia exemplifies architectural excellence, biophilic design, passive products and meticulous craftsmanship. It was the result of a collective effort, with every contributor bringing passion and creativity to the project.
Quinta is a standout example of modern housing design, blending innovation, sustainability and exceptional liveability. For this home, O’Shea & Sons teamed up with Jazz Designs and Merge Interior Design.
The project demonstrates careful planning, efficient construction and a commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life while harmonising with the surrounding environment.
The main focus was to create a design that optimises street appeal and multi-generational living. The open-plan spaces offer flexible layouts, allowing each of the areas to adapt to the evolving needs of the residents. Thoughtful zoning separates shared and private areas, ensuring comfort and convenience while fostering a sense of spaciousness, beauty and inclusivity.
The home is strategically oriented to maximise natural light and energy efficiency.
Living areas capture sunlight throughout the day, while bedrooms are positioned for privacy. The site’s topography has been carefully considered, ensuring the home blends seamlessly with the natural landscape and honours the existing streetscape.
Quinta emphasises intuitive effortless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design ensures easy movement from room to room, with wide hallways and doorways for accessibility. It features a lift to transition to different levels too, as well as step-free bathrooms. It also ensures moveability in the kitchen and laundry and provides well-placed provisions for grab rails, making the home suitable for residents of all ages and abilities.
Sustainability was a core focus, with passive design principles applied. As such, the home was constructed with eco-friendly materials and Australian-made products. Energy-efficient features and emission reduction products include James Hardie cladding, solar panels, Colorbond roofing, high-performance insulation and glazing to ensure reduced environmental impact and energy savings.
Sustainable landscaping, including drought-tolerant plants and low-maintenance lawns, complements the design’s green initiatives.
Quinta reflects the highest construction standards, with exceptional attention to detail. Every aspect, from the precision of the joinery to the flawless installation of finishes, demonstrates a commitment to quality. Materials like epoxy concrete sealed pathways, watering systems and custom cabinetry elevate the aesthetic and ensure durability.
Quinta is a model of modern housing that excels in innovation, sustainability and liveability. The efficient construction processes, thoughtful design and high-quality finishes make it a worthy winner for this housing award. It sets a new standard for residential projects, blending functionality, sustainability and aesthetic appeal.
For more information: O’Shea & Sons Builders
