Distinct Innovations Wins National Award for Heritage Design Excellence
- albinavanjour
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
We’re proud to share that over the weekend we came home with a national win at the Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) National Design Awards, held in Twin Waters, Queensland.
Our Salt Street Heritage Extension & Renovation took home the Winner – Heritage Buildings / Adaptive Re-use award and was also recognised as a Finalist in the Alterations and Additions category.
The night, hosted by the one and only Jamie Durie, was a celebration of design excellence across the country, and yes, he’s genuinely as great in person as he seems! He took the time to chat, made everyone feel welcome, and even made sure we got a one-on-one photo. A really down-to-earth guy and a perfect host for the event.
What the Judges Said About the Heritage Design Winning Project – Salt Street, Concord
Salt Street Concord breathes new life into a heritage-listed home, marrying period character with modern living in a way that feels both seamless and respectful. Working closely with heritage authorities, the design introduces a contemporary rear extension, detached garage, and lap pool while preserving the original street façade and its architectural integrity. Careful planning ensured the protection of significant backyard trees, with the pool ingeniously integrated into the foundations of the extension to meet site constraints.
Generous north-facing glazing floods the living spaces with winter sun, while deep overhangs and high-performance double glazing shield against summer heat. The palette of natural stones, recycled materials, and timeless detailing bridges old and new, creating spaces that flow effortlessly between indoor comfort and outdoor amenity. This project stands as a refined example of adaptive re-use, balancing heritage stewardship with contemporary lifestyle aspirations.
A Grateful Team and Supportive Clients
We’re so grateful to our amazing clients for trusting us with their home, and to everyone who has supported Distinct Innovations over the years, your encouragement means the world.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see a Sydney heritage project like this recognised at a national level, and to have it featured in Winning Design Australia Magazine alongside other outstanding Australian designers.
About Distinct Innovations
Based in Castle Hill, Distinct Innovations is an award-winning building design practice specialising in custom home design, heritage renovations, duplexes, and architectural design across Sydney and NSW.
We take pride in creating homes that are functional, beautiful, and deeply personal, from heritage restorations to modern architectural homes and energy-efficient designs that suit the Australian lifestyle.
Project: Salt Street Heritage Extension & Renovation, Concord NSW
Award: Winner – Heritage Buildings / Adaptive Re-use
Finalist: Alterations & Additions
Event: Building Designers Association of Australia – National Design Awards 2025
Host: Jamie Durie
Photography: Belle By Norman So
Featured In: Winning Design Australia Magazine
Practice: Distinct Innovations Pty Ltd
