Best Abode: Part 5 2011



HIA Residential Building Designer of the Year 2011
Sorensen Design's commitment to quality has been rewarded with the building design practice taking out two categories at the HIA-CSR Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards.
A residence it designed in Queens Road, New Lambton, won the company the residential building designer of the year.
The brief was to produce a design in which a single-storey dwelling could be created to grow alongside a young executive family, while taking advantage of as much of the surrounding yard within the leafy, well-established suburb.
The design was to evoke feelings of a ski chalet, but also needed to be family-oriented, incorporating three bedrooms, a rumpus room, a study and guest quarters.
Another important prerequisite was that there had to be masses of natural light flooding the rooms to not only help light the house naturally, but also help heat the house naturally.
A modern and functional split-level design was receptive to the narrow sloping site, which fell away from the road to the south.
At the clients' request, the living areas and master bedroom had to face the rear yard.
A central courtyard was created to act as a light well, which allowed the northern light to inundate the living areas and heat the thermal masonry wall.
In keeping with the clients' request that it be a single-storey home, the house steps down, however the roofline is kept inline. This resulted in the three-metre ceilings and ski-chalet feel, and eliminated the problem of the sloping site.
The key features of the design include a masonry wall that not only acts as a thermal mass, but also provides a feature wall for the end of the main foot-traffic area.
Other design features integrated into the home include silicone glass doors along the north-east facade and the central courtyard, which doubles as a family area, in addition to a natural light well which helps to efficiently and environmentally warm and illuminate the family areas within the house.
Adrian and Rebecca Sorensen established Sorensen Design in 2001.
"It's an honour to receive recognition," Rebecca said.
"We're very happy and thrilled to be recognised by our peers within the industry."
"Firstly, we'd like to thank our clients for allowing us to enter their property for the awards. We also want to thank our staff who made it all come together and builder, Nathan Russell, who brought our design to fruition."
Sorensen Design services the Port Stephens, Hunter, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas, as well as the north coast.
Adrian Sorensen prides himself on working closely with clients to achieve impressive results suited to individual needs.

2011 Port Stephens Business Award Winner
As featured in the 2011 Port Stephens Examiner Annual Business awards
THE Port Stephens Examiner’s Annual Business Awards was labelled "fabulous and fantastic" by those who attended.
The awards night was held on Wednesday October 28 at Soldiers Point Bowling Club.
Seating was at capacity with a whopping 453 people attending the event.
"The club told me they rejected at least another 50 bookings that came in within the last week," Examiner general manager Michael Wright said.
"In fact some opted to sit outside and listen in.
"It’s great to see the cream of Port Stephens’ business get together to celebrate their successes."
Mr Wright opened the event with a short speech as a flood of more than 10,300 votes were released onto the stage.
"Every category indicated that Port Stephens is gifted to have so many great businesses."
Brendon Jones of Sorensen Design

BDA Perspectives- September 2011 Issue 87
As Featured in BDA Perspectives - Quarterly Magazine of the Building Designers Association of NSW Inc.
September 2011 Issue 87
"Bringing the outdoors, in..."
"The site specific design was created with family, comfort and nature in mind. The idea was to take advantage of as much of the northern light as possible, as well as prevailing north easterly winds in order to utilise as much of the natural elements available. The clients are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of their new home."
Newcastle Herald - Creating Your Dream Home, 23 July 2011
As featured in the Newcastle Herald, 23 July 2011.
"CREATING YOUR DREAM HOME"
"Often the first point of call in beautifying your home is to consult with a Building Designer or Architect...
Sorensen Design is the 2010 HIA Building Designer of the Year and also collected awards at 2008, 2209 2010 Building Designers Association design awards..."
Winner at ABODE 2011 House of The Year Awards! - Commendation for Best Multi-Residential Design
Rebecca and Adrian proudly represented the Sorensen Design team at the Awards Dinner in Melbourne, where they were presented with the a Commendation for Best Multi-Residential Design.
For information on the winning design, see our Multi-Residential page.
You can see all the winners online at www.abodeawards.com/winners
BDA Perspectives - June 2011 Issue 86
As Featured in BDA Perspectives - Quarterly Magazine of the Building Designers Association of NSW Inc.
June 2011 Issue 86
2010 BDANSW Design Awards
Cat 24 - Best Bathroom
Commendation: Adrian Sorensen for Nelson Bay Development.
"Top Floor Entertainment...
...the design solution was to link harmoniously, the indoor and outdoor environments, acheive generous living spaces and create a functional and liveable area..."
The Examiner - Your Beautiful Home, 17 March 2011
As featured in the Port Stephens Examiner, 17 March 2011.
"YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME"
"Often the first point of call in beautifying your home is to consult with a Building Designer or Architect. Sorensen Design is a specialist in providing the right advice...
Sorensen Design have a range of specialists within their team, encompassing a wide variety of experience..."
BDA Perspectives - March 2011 Issue 85
As Featured in BDA Perspectives - Quarterly Magazine of the Building Designers Association of NSW Inc.
March 2011 Issue 85
2010 BDANSW Design Awards
Cat 15 - Residential Interiors
Commendation: Adrian Sorensen for Magnus Street Development.
"Top Floor Entertainment...
...the design solution was to link the indoor and outdoor environments harmoniously and achieve generous living space while creating functional living areas..."
For more information on this Multi-Award Winning project, see our Multi-Residential page.
Weekender - The Newcastle Herald, January 1 2011
As featured in Weekender - The Newcastle Herald, December 11 2010
"BAY WATCH"
"Panoramic views of glorious Fingal Bay are but one of the stunning features of this retirement home."
"This is the kind of house that make a lifetime of work worthwhile."
"Sorensen adapted his plans & now the smart brick & cladding structure with Colorbond roof rises from the street to the back of the (extremly steep) block over five levels.... Saving on high piering and retaining wall costs..."
For more information on this Multi-Award Winning project, see our Dwellings page.

Weekender - The Newcastle Herald, December 11 2010
As featured in Weekender - The Newcastle Herald, December 11 2010
"SERIOUSLY SCENIC"
"This boutique apartment complex offers resort-style living in a slim and sassy package."
"The sharply styled five-level development with its distinctivt lemon and grey exterior is only a walk from the office of Sorensen Design, Chosen by the clients for their long-standing good reputation in the Bay."
For more information on this Multi-Award Winning project, see our Multi-Residential page.
Hunter Building News, Dec 2010
As featured in Hunter Building News, Dec 2010 issue.
2010 HIA-CSR Hunter Housing Awards Feature
Residential Building Designer of the Year
Winner: Adrian Sorensen, Sorensen Design
Finalists: Adrian Sorensen, Sorensen Design
For more information on the winning projects, see our Multi-Residential page.
The Sun-Herald, Sunday November 28th 2010
As featured in The Sun-Herald, Sunday November 28, 2010.
"BUILDING COSTS SLASHED THANKS TO SPLIT-LEVEL DESIGN"
"The Dowles were faced with a steep block and had originally planned a double storey home. But at the suggestion of their builder, they asked their architect, Adrian Sorensen of Sorensen Design, to adapt his plans so that the property was split over five levels and stepped through the site that way it would be cheaper to build as the design required fewer retaining walls."
For more information on this project check out our Dwellings page.

Port Stephens Examiner - Domain 18th November 2010
New Home Comes With New Car!
Madison Gardens - Mix of New Dwellings Offered
"Port Stephens Council has approved plans with homes individually designed by Sorensen Design to suit individual blocks."
"The first home sold in the Madison Gardens Soldiers Point esate will come with a brand new Toyota Yaris, at a value of around $16,000."
"When Complete, the madison Gardens Soldiers Point with have 13, three and four bedroom homes lining a small, private cul de sac off Ash Street."
Click here for more information on Madison Gardens, Soliders Point.
FINALIST & WINNER 2010 HIA Hunter Residential Building Designer of The Year!
The Newcastle Herald, October 22 - HIA-CSR Hunter Housing Awards 2010
Featured in The Newcastle Herald, October 22 2010
HIA-CSR Hunter Housing Awards 2010 Advertising Feature - Winners & Finalists.
2010 Housing Industry Association Residential Building Designer of the Year Winner at the HIA-CSR Hunter Housing Awards 2010.
Rebecca and Adrian proudly represented the Sorensen team at the Awards Dinner, where they were presented with the Residential Building Designer of the Year Winners plaque for the Magnus Street project, and the Residential Building Designer of the Year Finalist certificate for Reflections Drive.

Award Winning Designs - Issue Three 2010 - 2011
As featured in 'Award Winning Designs - Issue Three 2010 - 2011'
Residential Interiors - Commendation
Bathrooms - Commendation
These were presented at the Annual BDA NSW State Conference, Design Awards Dinner in Hobart on 17th September 2010.
Sorensen Design was also notminated as Finalists in a variety of categories, see the links below for more information on these projects.
Reflections Drive, Magnus Street, Garuwa Street, Waterfront Retreat
BDA Perspectives - September 2010 Issue 83
As Featured in BDA Perspectives - Quarterly Magazine of the Building Designers Association of NSW Inc.
September 2010 Issue 83
A PARADE OF KITCHENS & OUTDOOR DESIGN BY BDANSW MEMBERS"
"Kitchens With Function & Style"
"Every home needs a great kitchen and lots of effort has gone into achieving these outcomes in these modern designs..."
Hunter Lifestyle Magazine - Edition Forty Three, April/ May 2010
As featured in Hunter Lifestyle Magazine - Edition Forty Three, April/ May 2010
Fingal Bay
Sorensen Design
"New Beginnings - The clients/ brief was for a luxurious and contemporary home that maximised the picturesque views and complemented the serene and relaxed location of Fingal Bay..."
Weekender, The Newcastle Herald - April 24, 2010
As Featured in Weekender, The Newcastle Herald - April 24, 2010
"Setting a Shore Path - A move to the waterside provided the opportunity to create a perfect family nest."
BDA Perspectives - March 2010 Issue 81
As Featured in BDA Perspectives - Quarterly Magazine of the Building Designers Association of NSW Inc.
March 2010 Issue 81
2009 BDANSW Design Awards
Cat 6 - Residential Alterations & Additions over $200k.
Cat 15 - Residential Interiors
Commendation: Adrian Sorensen for Danalene Parade Residence.
"Designer Turnes House Upside Down...
...Old Home Raised Above Flood Level & Transformed for Indoor-Outdoor living..."
Hunter Lifestyle Magazine - Summer Holiday Edition, Dec 09/ Jan 10
As featured in Hunter Lifestyle Magazine - Summer Holiday Edition, Dec 09 - Jan 10.
Kent Gardens
Sorensen Design
"One of the most challenging but rewarding briefs that was achieved exceptionally well was the completion of Adrian Sorensen's Family Home...." (see article below)
Award Winning Designs - Issue Two 2009-2010
As featured in "Award Winning Design, Issue two 2009 - 2010".
Residential alterations & additions over $200,000 - Commendation
Residential interiors - Commendation
These were awarded at the BDA NSW awards function held September 17 2009.
The Daily Telegraph – Home Summer Holiday Edition October 3, 2009
As featured in The Daily Telegraph – Home Summer Holiday Edition October 3, 2009
Danalene Parade
Sorensen Design
"Designer Adrian Sorensen added a few nautical touched to give this waterfront home a holiday feel....." (see extract below)
Port Stephens Examiner – Port Stephens Small Business Awards 2009
Port Stephens Examiner – Port Stephens Small Business Awards 2009
Sorensen Design were proud to be finalists in the Port Stephens Examiner Small Business Awards 2009 (see extract below)
MBA Magazine - Excellence In Housing Awards 2008
As featured in MBA Magazine - Excellence In Housing Awards 2008
Alterations, Additions, Renovations & Restorations Over $500,000
Project - Danalene Parade
Sorensen Design
For more information on this Multi-Award Winning Project, see our Dwellings page.
Building Design Association of NSW Design Awards 2008
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