Tropical building design makes cool win

A Charles Darwin University graduate has won a top Northern Territory business and construction industry award.

Amanda Sunners won the Excellence in Student Building Design and Drafting award at the Master Builders Northern Territory’s Excellence in Building and Construction Awards 2014.

Ms Sunners submitted the design while completing her Diploma in Building, Design and Technology at CDU and also working as a building designer for a private company.

“It’s great to get your name out there,” she said.

“People know who you are, and it demonstrates the important skills you can pick up from what’s taught at CDU.”

Ms Sunners’ winning design was a two-storey duplex for a client’s block of land in Rosebery, Palmerston.

She used a tropical building design, including blockwork walls and louvres, and designed the roof to resemble butterfly wings.

“I think the tropical build is very popular at the moment, especially with the heat up here,” Ms Sunners said.

“A tropical theme is cool and efficient.”

The design included three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office and an outdoor area.

“I am so happy with it that one day I might even build a similar building for myself.”