Double trophies for KI builder

Kangaroo Island builders Luke and Sharon Kauppila have backed up last year’s win at the Masters’ Builders Association of SA Building Excellence Awards, taking home two trophies against impressive competition this year.

Kauppila Pty Ltd won two accolades for its Little Sahara interpretive centre project – Excellence in Commercial/Industrial Building up to $1 million and Excellence in Environmental and Sustainable Construction – Commercial.

The Little Sahara project was built for KI Outdoor Action to a design by renowned architect Max Pritchard.

Kauppila Pty Ltd won at last year’s awards for Excellence in Environmental and Sustainable Construction–Residential.

“There is no doubt that our win in the 2014 MBA of SA awards, gave us the opportunity to tender for the Little Sahara project. The owners had all but closed the tenders for this this job, but when they saw our story in The Islander newspaper, they phoned and asked us if we would be interested. It was a real eye opener to realise that even on Kangaroo Island our marketing wasn’t hitting the mark. Winning the first award has helped to promote our business, highlighting the quality and excellence that we strive for in both residential and commercial construction” Ms Kauppila said.

“The site at Little Sahara provided some unique challenges for us and our sub-contractors. We were extremely conscious of creating a work site with minimal impacts on the environment as well as maintaining the site so that this popular tourist venue could continue to operate though its busy season. It was satisfying to bring Max’s vision to life and to contribute to a quality ecotourism development on the island,” she said.

Kauppila builders are an advocate for the building and construction industry on Kangaroo Island, recognising the importance of using local, skilled trades and suppliers. “Keeping the money invested in Kangaroo Island, on Kangaroo Island, is very important to our community,” Ms Kauppila said.

With possible upcoming infrastructure developments on Kangaroo Island, the Kauppila’s believe there are the skills and the builders locally to tender for some of these bigger commercial works. “It is imperative that these opportunities are provided within the tendering process and that builders step up to the mark.”

Ms Kauppila is also the chair of Business KI. “We are positive about the future and want local businesses to be given a go –

If winning these awards helps to highlight this for the local building and construction industry then it is a win-win for everyone.”

If you would like to find out more about Kauppila Pty Ltd and their projects on Kangaroo Island you can visit their website www.kauppila.com.au