Welcome to the latest issue of Construction Source Australia, the magazine highlighting the best in building and building products across the country. The company on our cover this edition, REP Building, is one of the most acclaimed building and property development companies in Canberra. Led by founder and director Robert Paragalli, they have been operating in the city and surrounding area for roughly 20 years, and in that time they have continually enhanced their reputation as builders known quality, reliability, and honesty. We caught up with Robert to talk more about that reputation, and to discuss some of the recent award recognition that has bolstered it. This edition also features a look at B&K Developments, an award-winning custom homebuilding company based in Berkeley Vale, NSW. They are a family-run business with a long history in the region going all the way back to 1983. These days, they are led by Michael Thurston, an experienced and licensed builder who has dedicated himself to carrying on the company’s legacy of high quality and integrity. We spoke to Michael about that legacy and what it means to him. We also highlighted some recent projects that exemplify what today’s B&K is capable of. For all those stories – and so many more like them, about industry giants and up-and-comers alike – just keep reading. All the best, The Editorial Team We will keep adding business units that enhance our offering and separate us from our competition. “ ” Editor From The Dear Reader,
The Construction Source Australia
FEBRUARY 2026
The Construction Source Australia With a readership exceeding 136,000 senior executives, The Construction Source Australia takes immense pride in providing an enticing platform to amplify your message to the most pivotal audience – your valued customers. Whether your aim is to promote an exciting new condo development, attract crucial financial investments for upcoming projects, or establish a commanding brand presence, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. To explore opportunities for featuring your company or showcasing your latest project in The Construction Source Australia, please reach out to our Group Publisher. Jermaine Poulsen e:info@theconstructionsource.com.au The Construction Source Australia Suite 11.01, Level 11, 175 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia info@theconstructionsource.com.au ABN: 42 976 059 923 Executive Publisher Jermaine Poulsen COO Alexandra Box Editor in Chief Zach Janes Director of Operations Jacqueline Van Belois Business Development Managers Cheryl Ezinicki Douglas Thomson Production Manager Brennan Midghall Digital Strategist Pranim Thapa
FEBRUARY 2026 Industry INNOVATIONS Product of the Month The Kights Scanner REP BUILDING Built to last B&K DEVELOPMENTS B & K Brings Excellence and Family Values to Revegetation, Landscaping, and Development Projects ISMART Leading the Way in Western Australia Passive Home Construction BRETT WARD HOMES Luxury specialists LION ONE METAL Delivering on a promise NEOBUILD STEEL COMPANY NeoBuild Steel Leading the Way in Light Steel Fabrication (LSF) REEF COAST CONSTRUCTION Builds Custom Homes that Reflect Clients’ Lifestyles IN THIS ISSUE JANUARY 2026 BRETT WARD HOMES REP BUILDING
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FEBRUARY 2026 Aluminum expected to accelerate worldwide adoption of electric and self-driving vehicles Material takes on an ever-widening role in tomorrow’s vehicles For more than a decade, concerns about fuel efficiency have been encouraging OEMS to replace steel with aluminum on vehicle bodies, doors, trunks, hoods, bumpers, crash boxes, brakes, cables and wheels. With the advent of electric and autonomous vehicles, OEMs worldwide are discovering new uses for aluminum. The need for battery casings and heat exchangers in electric vehicles, combined with autonomous vehicles’ demands for high visibility and structural integrity, is expected to exponentially increase the use of sheet aluminum in tomorrow’s cars, trucks and buses. Supporting the transition to battery-powered vehicles Four major design challenges confront OEMs in their transition to electric vehicles. Extending vehicle range Improving battery and passenger safety Increasing passenger comfort Optimizing cooling systems for lithium-ion batteries The substitution of sheet aluminum for steel helps resolve OEM concerns. Industry INNOVATIONS
The Construction Source Australia The lighter the vehicle, the longer its range. According to Ducker Worldwide, aluminum is expected to contribute more than half of the anticipated vehicle mass reduction demanded by electric vehicles (EVs) to extend range. Ducker reports that in North America alone, aluminum content in EVs will increase to nearly 565 pounds (256 kilgrams) per vehicle by 2028. The larger the vehicle, the heavier the battery and casing required to optimize the EV’s range. It is the larger EVs, i.e., sedans, SUVs, taxis, trucks and buses, that will realize the greatest benefits from a steel-to-aluminum conversion. In the U.S., a vehicle’s gross weight determines which class of commercial driver’s license (CDL) will be required. Without lightweighting, some EVs could demand a higher-class license or additional endorsements due to the added weight of the battery. In older European cities like Brussels or London, some bridges and tunnels only allow vehicles up to 3.5 tons in weight, a target that is very difficult to meet for larger EVs without lightweighting. For heavier material transport EVs such as trucks, weight reduction enables an increased payload, providing a significant monetary benefit. Generally, the larger the vehicle, the higher the payback. Particularly relevant for larger human transport EVs such as buses and taxis, the weight reduction made possible through aluminum provides the added benefit of reduced CO2 emissions and improved air quality, of value not only to vehicle operators, but to the communities they serve. The thermal and anti-corrosion properties of aluminum make it ideal for battery frames. Sea-water resistant, highly formable, highly surfaced aluminum alloys provide the strength necessary to pass side-impact crashworthiness testing, protecting passengers and the battery should impact occur. Casing floor plates made out of aluminum are not only strong, but also capable of resisting corrosion related to weather exposure. These characteristics enable aluminum battery casings to resist weather-related deterioration and impact from road debris, minimizing the risk of related fires and further securing passenger safety. Optimizing battery and human safety Extending range Dispersing heat The batteries used in EVs produce energy while charging and decharging, requiring the use of heat exchangers to dissipate heat. But the types of heat exchangers used in vehicle air conditioning systems are inadequate to meet this new challenge. Aluminum clad brazing (which connects multiple layers of aluminum together to disperse heat) requires heating in a controlled atmosphere (e.g., a vacuum) to achieve optimum joining. Aluminum heat exchangers designed specifically to meet the challenges presented by electric vehicles can use as many as five types of aluminum sandwiched together, with the layers providing gradient properties to optimize cooling. These specialized processes and materials address OEM concerns, ensuring adequate dissipation of the heat generated by battery-powered vehicles. An experienced aluminum processing partner can help OEMs specify the right process and alloys to meet specific vehicle temperature thresholds, ideally working side by side with OEM engineers early in the design process to maximize the performance of electric vehicles. IT IS THE LARGER EVS, I.E, SEDANS, SUVS, TAXIS, TRUCKS AND BUSES, THAT WILL REALIZE THE GREATEST BENEFITS FROM A STEEL -TO-ALUMINUM CONVERSION .
FEBRUARY 2026 The luxury sedan market will likely be the first to transition to self-driving electric vehicles. Passenger comfort and safety, and an expansive view of the surrounding environment, are expected to be top priorities for this market. The hefty B pillars used in conventional vehicles to meet structural requirements for crashworthiness are undesirable in a self-driving scenario. To enable large windows and an unobstructed view without sacrificing passenger safety, lightweight aluminum will be the strong material of choice. Supporting the eventual transition to autonomous vehicles In addition to the design challenges presented by EVs, society’s demand for sustainable solutions will likely continue to be a driver in the transition to aluminum-lightweighted vehicles. A Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrwesen mbH Aachen (fka) study, using a Volkswagen Golf as its reference vehicle, determined that an electric aluminum-based vehicle could meet the same safety standards as its steelbased equivalent, while emitting 1.5 tons less greenhouse gases over its lifecycle, taking into consideration production, a total driving distance of more than 93,000 miles (150,000 kilometers) and eventual recycling. Ongoing environmental concerns Conclusion Aluminum alloys are ideally suited to the design challenges presented by electric and autonomous vehicles. By aligning with aluminum partners deeply experienced in developing processes and alloys to meet demanding performance requirements, transportation vehicle OEMs are accelerating the pace of EV and self-driving vehicle adoption throughout North America. .
The Construction Source Australia
FEBRUARY 2026 Business World Australia
The Construction Source Australia Business Worl d Australia
Built to last
FEBRUARY 2026
REP Building is a multi Award winning boutique building and property development company that has been servicing Canberra and surrounding areas for over 17 years. In that time, they have steadily developed and maintained a reputation built on trust, honesty, and the ability to deliver the highest level of building projects. Today, their experienced team – led by Director Robert Paragalli and business partner Joe Whitfield – is well known in the region for their “unwavering commitment to excellence.” “We take pride in all our work and understand that clients expect the very best from their investment,” says Robert Paragalli, who started the company in 2008. “Our service philosophy and processes are designed to deliver not just a beautiful home, but spaces that bring the clients’ vision to life, homes they can be proud of. Our aim is to build homes that last a lifetime.” Robert was born and raised in Canberra, and he began his career in the mechanical engineering industry and construction. While working for other companies, he was involved in some very large projects, some of which took his work overseas. In 2005, he decided to start his own business running a property maintenance business as well as doing small projects such as decks, pergolas, and minor renovations. Three years later, after earning his builders license, he graduated to building new homes larger extensions and additions and officially formed REP Building. In 2016, Robert was joined by Joe Whitfield, who became a partner in the company. Joe came equipped with roughly 15 years of carpentry experience and is also a licensed builder. Under their dual leadership, REP Building has grown quickly in terms of both size and reputation, earning recognition in a number of industry publications, as well as a number of recent awards and accolades from bodies including the Master Builders Association THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
(MBA) and Housing Industry Association of Australia (HIA). Today, REP Building focuses on building brand new custom homes for clients, with values ranging from $500,000 to $3.5 million. They also occasionally develop and build their own projects. When it comes to both types of projects, the company primarily works in established residential markets in Canberra and the surrounding areas. According to Robert, clients within that niche choose REP for a variety of reasons. He believes the main reason, however, is their ability to build trust with clients. “Marketing yourself as a builder can be difficult,” he says, “because it’s all about convincing people that you’re going to do what you tell them you’re going to do. The only way to do that is to build trust.” “So we build trust by being consistent,” he emphasises. “We’re consistent in our dayto-day running of the business. We’re consistent about the way we present ourselves on site and social media. For example, we don’t show ourselves on a construction site one day, and the next day we show a shiny finished project. We purposely don’t do that. We want prospective clients to have a realistic picture of what they’re going to get. We want them to trust us.” It’s only through building trust, Robert explains, that the company can truly differentiate themselves from their competitors: “It’s very difficult to market how we’re different when everybody is saying the same thing. Everybody says they build quality. Everybody says they are trustworthy. Everybody says they are loyal. Everybody says they are the best builder. You have to prove it.” FEBRUARY 2026
Proven, reliable, committed. Experience exceptional service and expertise from sales to property management with Seminara & Co - bringing you a better property experience. Lou Seminara, Director, Phone: 0419 604 302 Email: Lou@seminaraandco.com.au Website: seminaracoproperties.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
Over their 17-plus years in business, Robert believes that REP Building has proven it. That belief is bolstered by the company’s long list of glowing customer testimonials, their history of referrals and repeat work, and their portfolio of high quality finished projects – some of which were completed over a decade ago, but still look great due to the company’s commitment to building with durability and longevity in mind. Also, REP Building is still operating under the same name they did when they were founded in 2008. Robert points out how meaningful that is: “A lot of builders have shifted from one name to another or from one company to another. I think it’s a testament to a building company when they can proudly say they have been established for over 17 years. That shows they are reputable, experienced, and professional and you can trust them.” “A lot of building companies are good,” Robert adds, “but for how long have they been good? Have they been consistently good for 17 years? I think that’s what one thing that sets us apart. We’re consistently good. We never want to be taken to court for dodgy workmanship or litigated against for defaulting on a contract. We always want to deliver the product we say we’re going to deliver, and we always deliver it to a really high standard.” Many of REP Buildings’ subcontractors and suppliers enjoy similarly strong reputations in their local community, and REP has built relationships with most of them that go back many years. That loyalty further contributes to the company’s quality consistency. For example, REP Building has a longstanding relationship with Grindstones Reflections, FEBRUARY 2026
a local leader in the floor grinding and polishing industry. Much like REP Building, they are a company with a small but highly-efficient team that considers communication, relationship-building, and highquality work as the pillars of their success. They are led by Jake Plunkett, an experienced industry expert with over 10 years’ experience handing over beautiful, high-quality floors to local clients. Another key partner would be Seminara & Co Properties (S&CO) – they are a locallyowned real estate company that works with a diverse range of clients, and they provide the same high level of service, experience, and expertise to every one of them. S&CO was founded by Lou Seminara, who – similar to Robert – started his company with the goal of providing a higher level of service than the industry standard. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
For much of the company’s history, REP Building didn’t submit for industry awards. They had done some projects that they definitely felt were worthy of them, but Robert says that’s not how he wanted to build the company’s reputation – “we wanted to prove ourselves through hard work and commitment, we wanted to create strong word of mouth, and we wanted to grow organically,” he explains. By 2021, however, the company’s sterling reputation in their community had already been cemented. The company was ready to submit for their first award, and they chose a recently-completed residence in Kaleen. That residence subsequently won the MBA ACT Award for ‘Custom Build $750,000 to $1 million.’ “We were rebranding ourselves at the time and we wanted to do some marketing,” Robert Industry recognised At Kinsella our clients don’t see us just as an accountant - we are their partner. Do you know how your business is going? Are you meeting your budget? Could you improve your margins, be more efficient? These are just some things we look at with our business performance and CFO advisory service. We can provide you the guidance and advice of an experienced CFO, but only when and how you need it. Whether you are looking to grow, or just keep up with your compliance requirements, our team of experts can help. LEVEL 2 26 BRISBANE AVENUE BARTON ACT 2600, PO BOX 4866, KINGSTON, ACT 2604 Phone: +61 2 6262 6655 | Fax: +61 2 6262 6677 Email: alex.breen@kinsella.com.au | Website: www.kinsella.com.au FEBRUARY 2026
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recalls, “so we thought it was finally time to enter for MBA awards. It turns out on our very first try, we took one out.” That home went on to be a strong contender at the national MBA awards later in 2021 – “we didn’t win that, but from what I understand we were very close,” Robert says. “That was a really nice reward for the guys that had been with me for a while,” he adds. “It showed them the kind of homes that we produce. It showed them the kind of quality we were really achieving.” The next year, at the 2022 HIA and MBA ACT Awards, REP Building added to their awards tally with wins from multiple industry bodies. For example, they won ‘Kitchen Project under $50,000’ with the MBA and they took out the HIA ‘Bathroom of the Year’ award for their beautiful home in Griffith. That award-winning bathroom featured large format porcelain tiles, luxury fixtures and fittings and a two-way gas fireplace to give the owners the feeling of living in a luxurious hotel every day they wake up. Most recently, at the 2023 MBA ACT Awards, REP Building continued their award-winning streak with a win in the ‘Medium Density Dual Occupancy / Habitable Suite’ category. That project was located in Kaleen, and the interiors were designed by Studio Black Interiors, who also designed the company’s first award-winning home in 2021. In their comments, the judges praised that latest awardwinning project for displaying FEBRUARY 2026
“thoughtful design and detailed planning combined with incredible craftsmanship.” They also praised REP Building and Studio Black for overcoming the challenges of a steep block through a split-level design and “consistent attention to detail.” The judges further commended the project for its “outstanding thermal performance and energy efficiency.” That performance was achieved through non-combustible, interlocking cladding panels with concealed fixings along with quality wall wraps and insulations. They also installed mechanical ventilation to the substructure, which allowed for airflow and circulation behind the cladding. To the same end, the project team also installed thermally broken double-glazed windows, solar panels, and low VOC finishes, and they solely utilised high-quality materials that were selected to stand the test of time. For his part, Robert is particularly proud of that award because of the category they won. In the future, he says REP Building is looking to do more high quality multi-unit projects, and this victory proves that the company can achieve the same quality on multi-residential projects that they can achieve on single-family homes. Moving forward, REP Building is also looking to grow – but to grow organically, “on the back of hard work and determination,” Robert says. “Over the years, we’ve ridden the ups and downs,” he says. “We’ve been through the GFC, we’ve been through downturns in markets, we’ve been through THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
bushfires and COVID – and we’ve come out stronger and more experienced on the other side. Now we want to keep growing organically, one small step at a time. Along the way, we want to keep improving all aspects of the business.” Lastly, as they grow, REP Building is also considering expanding geographically – and they believe their project management tools can help with that, as those tools allow them to have real-time access to all the project information they could want, no matter where they are in the country or the world. “Everything is integrated in our software,” Robert explains. “We can closely monitor every individual project; we can keep track of all the details. The clients can monitor their projects too, they can interact with us if they have questions or concerns, and we can get back to them right away.” “I think that opens up some new doors for us,” he adds. “With this kind of system in place, we can work remotely. We can potentially expand our business beyond the Canberra market. We can potentially go anywhere we want.” “However, first of all we want to make sure we have the Canberra market covered,” he says. “We want to make sure our business is strong in Canberra; that our quality is the highest it can be and that our customers are getting everything they need from us. Once we’re sure of that, we’ll think about expansion.” FEBRUARY 2026 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO www.studioblack.com.au | info@studioblack.com.au | 0410 501 729
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA For more on REP Building, including their services, projects, and past client reviews, get in touch with Robert, Joe, and their team by visiting https://www.repbuilding.com.au
Brings Excellence and Family Values to Revegetation, Landscaping, and Development Projects
Helping business is our trade. Whole of Build Solutions Helping Builders across Australia develop and grow To find out more about our whole of build solutions for your next project scan here or contact Bunnings Trade Assist on 134 872. FRAME AND TRUSS We can supply high quality, prefabricated roof trusses, wall frame and floor truss systems suitable for both residential and commercial projects. DEDICATED BUILDERS TEAM Our Account Managers can partner with your business to provide 1:1 support with quotes, product sourcing and project management. Our Trade Specialists in-store can help arrange orders for pick-up or delivery. BUILDING SOLUTIONS STUDIOS Our Studios are dedicated spaces for Builders, Developers, Architects, Designers and their clients to explore our extended range. We showcase innovative whole of build and fit-out solutions across all building categories. We can supply product solutions from foundation through to fit-out, including prefab frames and trusses, commercial grade windows, kitchens and appliances, flooring, façades and more. FEBRUARY 2026
B & K Revegetation and Landscaping is an industry leader in commercial landscape construction, revegetation, bush regeneration, and mine site rehabilitation. For more than 40 years, the company has served the mining, transport, industrial, housing, and government sectors in New South Wales. Michael Thurston, who is associated with the business through his work as Construction Manager at B & K Developments, says the company’s family atmosphere, high-quality work, and emphasis on client relationships make it a great place to work and do business. “It’s a family run business with a strong family culture throughout all the employees. There’s a strong commitment to employee wellbeing. It’s like one big family,” he says. The same family values that were around when the company was started guide the business today. When the company’s founders, Brendan Nebauer and his wife, Kathie, started their venture, they provided landscaping services to private clients equipped with only a mini moke, a 6x4 box trailer, and a set of hand tools. Since 1983, their business has grown to become one of Australia’s leaders in commercial landscaping and revegetation. Today, they have three strategically placed branches across NSW, servicing from Eden on the NSW South Coast to Tweed Heads on the NSW North Coast, and all the way out West to Broken Hill NSW. Michael has been a licensed builder since 1987 and began contract building under his own license that year. He became associated with B & K thanks to his reputation as an award-winning builder of high-end custom residential properties across the Central Coast. He became part of the B & K family when his daughter married one of Brendan and Kathie’s sons. The four Nebauer sons are all involved in the business with two of them, Ben and James, serving as general managers. B & K Developments NSW is a division of B & K Revegetation and Landscaping. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
B & K offers a range of capabilities including hydromulching, mine site rehabilitation, landscape maintenance, soil management, and facility dust suppression. The company has had great success delivering these services on some of NSW’s largest key infrastructure projects in the mining, transport, industrial, housing, and government sectors. Their revegetation and vegetation maintenance at Western Sydney International Airport has received industry recognition. For this project B & K received The Sustainable Contractor Award, and the World Quality Week – Quality Principals, and Reward & Recognition Certificate of Achievement. B & K Developments has received its share of industry awards as well. With a highly qualified and experienced team of builders, carpenters, and subcontractors, the company is known for delivering high quality projects with exceptional attention to detail. They are a 2018 Master Builders Awards recipient for their Erina Heights custom home and a 2019 winner for their Brush Road project. Their Saratoga Project, which is an architectural build, has been showcased in Hunter and Coastal Lifestyle Magazine. This large-scale alteration and addition transformed a 70s style into a luxurious residence with views over Brisbane Water. Client testimonials on the company website further point out B & K’s award-winning work and how clients are impressed with the building process and the finished product while attesting to the company’s excellence and professionalism. Extensive Product Line FEBRUARY 2026
While B & K has grown as a business in regard to the scope, number, and size of the products they offer, the company has also witnessed an increase in staff with their team more than doubling. Michael says that in 2015 the company had 40 or so employees; today, that number has risen to over 100. Longevity of service is rooted in the company culture with a number of long-term employees on the staff. “We have a lot of employees with 10-plus years of service,” Michael says. In addition to their special commitment to employee wellbeing, B & K also has a strong focus on safety. These factors – along with time to have fun and relax together away from the job – help with employee satisfaction. “We have a lot of social events throughout the year,” Michael explains. “We recently had our Favorable Corporate Culture THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
B & K barbeque for RUOK Day where everyone donated what they could. We double what they put in and give out prizes.” The company’s relationship with subcontractors and suppliers also tend to be strong and longlasting. For example, B & K has been working for many years with Bunnings Trade, one of Australia’s leading suppliers to builders and tradespeople and other industry stakeholders. With Trade Centres in every state and territory, they can provide clients with rapid estimating and quoting services from an experienced and knowledgeable local team, no matter where they are. The wide range of their products is also unrivalled, and the reliability of their supply and delivery is unmatched. Michael says relationships with companies like Bunnings Trade are an important factor to the successful delivery of projects in a timely manner. “We have developed a longstanding relationship with our subcontractors and suppliers. We basically use the same subcontractors continually. We know how each other operates in relation to the specifics of each job,” he says. “We are serviced very well by our suppliers with their ability to source materials. It makes my job a lot easier.” FEBRUARY 2026
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B & K – both the landscaping/ revegetation and developments sides of the enterprise – are committed to sustainability as they go about doing business. Michael says they have gone paperless and recycle where they can, including onsite. “We’ve introduced a lot of technology into our fleet of trucks to help eliminate emissions and to ensure compliance with Heavy Vehicle National Laws and Regulations. We have our own workshop and mechanics available to keep the fleet well maintained. We try and source materials as green as we can.” B & K is known as a leader and an innovator in sustainability practices in their revegetation work across a variety of sectors from construction and development to the mining industry. Of special note is their work to encourage biodiversity, re-establish pastures and native Commitment to Sustainability FEBRUARY 2026
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ecosystems, and minimize erosion and environmental impact. Michael says B & K’s goals and aspirations for the future are tied to their proven track record and their original and long-standing commitment to family values. “We act with integrity. Our reputation speaks for itself. We do what we say we’re going to do.” This dedication to quality and high standards leads to customer satisfaction with clients sharing their positive experiences with potential clients and even coming back as repeat customers themselves. Michael says that the building side of the business has seen repeat customers since 2016 when their momentum started to pick up. While he indicates that B & K would welcome growth, he goes on to say that they want to stay focused on providing their customers with the personal attention that they value in their relationships. “We always have been and would like to continue to be the builder of choice,” he says. “Basically, that’s how we pick up our work through recommendations and word of mouth. We would like to see some growth but not to the point where we would lose our personal touch.” FEBRUARY 2026
To learn more about the B & K family, their commitment to quality work, and their range of products and services – and to speak with Michael or other members of their dedicated team – visit their websites at Revegetation - B & K Revegetation & Landscaping (bkreveg.com.au) and Custom Home Builders Central Coast – B & K Developments NSW (bkdevelopments.com.au) THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
Leading the Way in Western Australia Passive Home Construction
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ISMART Building Group, based in Perth, Western Australia, is a leader and an innovator in the passive home building market. By pairing careful, conscious design with intelligent building practices, ISMART produces some of the most sustainable homes available. Their homes are high quality, energy efficient, and affordable. “We strive to achieve the highest performance that we can get. We strive to deliver the most energy efficient and healthy homes that are possible to build in the world at the moment,” states Brian Guinan, owner/ director of ISMART. He says this is what sets them apart from other builders. “For me, that’s the difference. We’re not just going to settle for the normal, run of the mill built to code kind of stuff.” Brian brings a background as a carpenter in his native Ireland and a project manager in New York to his current work with ISMART. He says he came to Perth 13 years ago due to the availability of work there. “In 2013 I went to college and got my builders tickets and decided I was going to be a builder.” He took over ISMART in 2017. ISMART is a registered builder of high-end residential homes specializing in passive homes that offer low energy use, high energy efficiency, and high sustainability. The company also provides consultation to external builders including heat recovery ventilation installation, air tightness installation, and inspections and testing. Another section of the company serves as an industry partner and distributor for pro clima Australia’s airtight membranes, weather resistant barriers, and adhesives and tapes. Brian says those are the “three main arms of the company under one banner.” ISMART builds across the Perth metro area and also offers build assist or sub-contractor assist in regional areas. “We tend to use our local partner builder in that situation. We would provide the specialties of the passive house and the local THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
www.climateframedoubleglazing.com.au | sales2@climateframe.com.au | 1300 859 394 Climateframe Double Glazing manufacture, supply and install quality windows and doors in Perth and surrounding country areas. We manufacture both uPVC and aluminium frames with a full range of double glazed glass unit options. Our double glazing is suitable for new build commercial and residential homes as well as residential renovations. builder would build the house,” Brian explains. As for the price range of their homes, Brian says, “At the moment we’re sitting in the anything up to the $2 million bracket in architectural homes, passive houses, and I expect that to grow.” He added that ISMART also consults on “quite large projects.” ISMART applies five passive house principles to design homes that offer low energy consumption and high indoor living comfort. These are thermal insulation, passive house windows, air tightness, ventilation with energy recovery, and thermal bridge free design. When it comes to his relationship with trades, communication is key and providing the right training and the right information is vital. Brian says he speaks to trades in-depth about what he wants and gives them examples. “Trades are very, very important. I have trades that I have worked with for five to seven years,” he says. While ISMART doesn’t do a lot of marketing, they do showcase their homes through Friday sundowner events. “Our biggest driver is open days,” Brian says. Connecting through email and social media, guests are invited for a look at a home while it’s still in the construction stage. “People come in and they see the house in its naked form. They see the electrical, the plumbing, the heat recovery ventilation, the airtight layers, the insulation layers,” Brian FEBRUARY 2026
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explains. “They see everything inside this house, everything that makes this house high performance. They see all of that.” The group tours the home for an hour or so, then Brian gives a 40-minute presentation on passive houses, followed by a Q&A session. Refreshments are also served. Brian says these events, usually draw 60-80 people. “Then, 6-8 months after the client moves in, we open that house up again on a Saturday morning, so that people can see what it was to what it is now,” Brian says. “People get a double perspective of the house. They get to see the inner workings and they get to see the finished beauty of the home as well.” Brian considers the first home the company built – a beach house in North Beach – one of his favorite projects. His says this, and his other top picks, offered a challenge, something he finds rewarding. “If you’re challenged, the reward is always better.” One of the homes features a lift, three different elevations, and an underground garage. “With a passive house anything built into the ground is quite challenging,” Brian explains. At the core of the organization is the belief that the company must make a positive contribution to the community, both socially and environmentally. That guiding principle is evident in ISMART’s work with the My Home initiative that provides housing to individuals facing homelessness. Specially, the company has worked on an 18home project for women that was completed earlier this year by providing the consultation, inspection, testing, and detailing. ISMART plans to continue with My Home FEBRUARY 2026
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as additional sites become available. “That is a very exciting project,” Brian says. “It’s all done with donations or sponsors.” Another way that the company is giving back is by donating to an organization to plant trees to help replace the lumber used in building their homes. Brian is eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm about passive home building and is a frequent presenter for architectural and other organizations around Perth. “I want to introduce, or I want to push healthy, more energy efficient buildings, but I want to do it in the right way,” he says. “We want to incite change, but we want to incite the right change. If people are going to adopt these new codes, let’s do it the right way. “We want the right weather resistant barriers in there. We want our buildings to have correct moisture management systems where we can have moisture pass through our structure without creating mold or mildew.” Brian is also spreading the message about passive homes by serving as a host on the podcast “Sustainable Builders Yak.” ISMART is member of Master Builders of Western Australia, the Australian Passive House Association, the International Passive House Association, and the Housing Industry Association. ISMART has been a finalist in Master Builder competitions and has been the recipient of design awards. The company has also been honored with a most trusted builder designation. Brian has served as a judge for a Master Builders competition in the residential awards category. With new projects on the horizon for ISMART both in Perth and regionally in Western Australia, Brian anticipates a future where the company will see growth and expansion. “We may be small, but we’re not going to be small forever.” FEBRUARY 2026
To learn more about ISMART Building Group visit their website at https://ismart-bg.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
Luxury specialists
Brett Ward Homes is a multi-award winning custom homebuilder specialising in design and construction of luxury homes on the Gold Coast. Over the 23-year history, they have completed well over 200 homes and have won a long list of HIA Awards, and they have been featured in the TV series ‘Australia’s Best Houses.’
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Brett Ward Homes have developed a reputation as one of the finest home builders in the region, known for “consistently delivering customer satisfaction from the start of a project until the finish,” according to founder and managing director Brett Ward. Brett has been operating as a licensed builder since 1994, and has been leading Brett Ward Homes since 2000. Over the years, he has never wavered from his commitment to professional service and quality building standards. Those are values that were instilled in him from a young age, ever since he started working for his father’s building company in the 1980s. Today, Brett Ward Homes remains a family-powered company. Brett’s younger brother serves as a supervisor; his wife Kirsty runs the office; and their son is one of the company’s in-house carpenters. “We are the quintessential multi-generation Australian family building company,” Kirsty says. Initially, the company focused on building family homes. As they grew, their reputation for delivering high quality homes and repeat clients saw a progression to bigger, more complex projects. Brett Ward Homes now builds high end luxury homes with values between $1.5 million and $3 million, while, also building traditional family homes west of the Gold Coast, in Beaudesert. “The reason we build in Beaudesert is it’s difficult to get vacant land on the Gold Coast,” Kirsty explains. “The average family is realistically priced out of the market here. They need a million dollars-plus to buy an average home, whereas they can get a beautiful brand new home in Beaudesert for under $650,000.” “A lot of people are making the choice to live away from the Gold Coast,” she explains. “And Beaudesert is a good option because it’s only an hour away. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
We want to work with the people making that choice.” According to Kirsty, those clients choose Brett Ward Homes for the same reasons that clients choose them to build their dream homes. The main reason, she believes, is the personal service they offer: “The client deals directly with Brett and me,” she says. “And if Brett’s not available, they are dealing with his brother. Clients are not dealing with multiple supervisors or different administration staff. They are dealing with people whose name is on the sign. I think that gives them a lot of confidence.” “When your name is on the sign you’re a lot more invested,” she adds. “You care more, it is personal if something goes wrong. I our clients feel that and see that. They feel our passion for what we do. They see us working to deliver their dream home.” Clients also appreciate the company’s honesty and transparency, Kirsty says: “We believe in being honest with our clients. If there is an issue, we own it and we fix it.” “Communication is key,” she continues. “Good communication is key to building good relationships. If you can communicate well with your client, if they know what’s happening and when it’s happening, it’s going to be a much smoother process.” As a result of their personal service, honesty, and active communication, Brett Ward Homes has been able to build some really positive relationships with clients. Kirsty estimates that approximately 90 per cent of their work comes from repeat customers or referrals. “Referrals are our most effective form of marketing,” she says. “We’ve tried various FEBRUARY 2026
marketing strategies at various times throughout our history, and have found our customer service, attention to detail and producing beautiful homes for happy clients is our best marketing strategy.” That repeat work is also a testament to the quality that Brett Ward Homes delivers. Kirsty credits that quality to Brett – and also to Brett’s father, whom he grew up working for. “Brett grew up working for his father.Hedidhisapprenticeship, worked as a leading hand and head carpenter in his father’s business before establishing his own company. Brett’s father was always very particular about the way things were done. He was pedantic about quality. Brett has inherited those traits.” “Brett’s brother grew up in the same environment, and now we’ve trained our son the same way,” she adds. “We’ve taught him that the small things matter. If you can’t get the small things right, how are you going to ever get the big things right? We are very particular about making sure we get the small things right.” The company has also instilled the same values in their subcontractors, the majority of whom they have been working with for many years. Some of those relationships, Kirsty says, even predate the creation of Brett Ward Homes – she says Brett has been working with some trade partners since his time working for his father’s company. “We have great relationships with our subcontractors and trades. When we went out on our own, we took on a lot of Brett’s father’s trades, suppliers and sales reps. We’ve been working with some of our partners since before starting our own business.” Naturally, however, a lot of their original partners have retired over the years, and Brett Ward Homes has also had to build new relationships with subcontractors and trades. Kirsty says they have been successful at building those relationships because they are a company that “people love coming to work for.” “They know exactly where we stand. They know we have really high expectations of their work, and I think they really enjoy producing beautiful high quality homes. They know they don’t have to come back for defects and maintenance calls because we get it right the first time.” “We’ve been very fortunate throughout these past few years with suppliers and trades,” she adds. “Our loyalty to trades and suppliers has paid dividends and we have been able to get materials and tradesmen all thanks to the relationships we have cultivated over the last two decades.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
As a recent example of what Brett Ward Homes is capable of, Kirsty cites an “absolutely magnificent” three-storey home they completed early this year. They are particularly proud of that project because they built it throughout COVID, which presented a lot of challenges – but thanks to their relationships with suppliers and trade partners, they were able to overcome those challenges and deliver a result that both client and builder are very satisfied with. “The family that we built that for are just the loveliest family,” Kirsty says. “And we live in the same estate – on the same street, even – so I drive by it all the time. Every time I drive past it, I think ‘Oh my God, I’m so proud of that.’” Moving forward, the company’s goal is to deliver more high-end projects like that one throughout the Gold Coast, while also doing more modestly-scaled homes in communities like Beaudesert. By embracing the latter market, they believe they have given A lot of opportunity FEBRUARY 2026
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themselves a lot of opportunity to grow. “There are only so many multi-million dollar homes you can build per year before you start losing the quality control,” Kirsty explains. “That’s not acceptable to us, so we can only grow so much in that market – whereas with the smaller builds, we can build more while still maintaining a strong quality control process, so that’s where we think there is the opportunity to grow the business.” As for much of that opportunity they want to seize, that remains to be seen. To some extent, Kirsty says that will be up to their son, who is coming up through the business now. They hope he might take over the company eventually, and the family business will continue on. FEBRUARY 2026 QBCC No: 894 337 Smarter Termite Technology BUILDERS YOU CAN TRUST USE TERMIMESH TERMIMESH.COM.AU TERMI HOME & COMMERCIAL PROUD PARTNERS OF BRETT WARD HOMES CONTACT 07 3863 6400
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA For more on Brett Ward Homes, their services, their latest projects, and to hear from past clients – and to get in touch with Brett, Kirsty, and their team – visit https://goldcoastluxuryhomes.net.au/
Aerial view from the center of the Navilawa Caldera with the Lion One Metals Processing Plant in the center.
Delivering on a promise
Lion One Metals is a Canadian resource company that trades internationally under listings in Canada, the USA, and Australia. Currently, they are focused on advancing their 100-percent-owned, high-grade, fullypermitted Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. After completing construction of their Tuvatu mine ahead of schedule in September of last year, they had their first gold pour in October. The company’s mine development division is excited to continue development of their mining and processing operations there, while the exploration division – now equipped with seven drill rigs and a new assay laboratory – is focused on expanding their resource and making further discoveries in the surrounding region. Lion One Metals has been operating in Fiji since 2006, when the company acquired the Vatukoula Gold Mine – which has been operating on the island since the 1930s, making it one the oldest and most prolific gold mines in the South Pacific. As part of that acquisition, Lion One also acquired the Tuvatu mine. The company later sold the Vatukoula mine to another company, but as part of the transaction they retained the Tuvatu mine. At the time, Tuvatu was “sitting idle and undeveloped,” according to Patrick Hickey, Chief Operating Officer, but the company saw a lot of promise there. Patrick, for his part, is a veteran mine builder with over 40 years of experience as an engineer and executive in the design and construction of world class mining, petroleum, and power generating operations throughout the world. He has worked for some of the world’s leading operators, including Mobil in the USA and in the Middle East, Power in the Czech Republic, BHP Oil Refining in Hawaii, Kinross Gold Corp. in Africa and Spain, and Newmont Gold in Indonesia and Peru. He joined Lion One Metals in June 2021. He was brought on to help bring Tuvatu from FEBRUARY 2026 Lion One Metals CEO Walter Berukoff and the Honourable Maciu Nalusima, Acting Minister for Mineral Resources for Fiji, at the First Gold Pour Ceremony at Tuvatu.
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“exploration into operations” – which is exactly what he’s done. As previously mentioned, construction of the Tuvatu mine was completed ahead of schedule, with mill construction beginning in August 2022 and commissioning beginning in September 2023. Lion One poured their first gold at Tuvatu on Fiji Day, October 10th 2023. The ceremonial first pour was conducted on site with over 1000 members of local communities, businesses, employees, and government officials in attendance. At the time, Walter Berukoff, Lion One Chairman and CEO, commented: “The first gold pour at Tuvatu is a landmark event in the history of our company. We have successfully transitioned from explorer to producer and have delivered on our promise to build the South Pacific’s newest gold mine in the heart of Fiji.” Walter also congratulated the entire Lion One team – along with their partners in the local community – for achieving that significant milestone: “We thank our employees, contractors, local landowners and community members for their hard work and dedication. Completing construction ahead of schedule is a testament to the strength of their efforts and to the resilience of the Fijian spirit. We also thank our loyal shareholders for their continued support. This marks the beginning of our next phase of growth as we look forward to ramping up to commercial production at Tuvatu and to advancing our many other topquality prospects throughout the Navilawa Caldera.” Again, construction and commissioning of the Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project was FEBRUARY 2026 Lion One Metals COO Patrick Hickey shaking hands with Nasalo, a local landowner and member of the Navilawa community.
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