Architect: Gary Adam
MONTROSE building firm MCK Construction Ltd has been presented with a new Isuzu D-Max Utah Pick Up, after beating hundreds of builders across the UK to the Overall Master Builder Award at the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) 2019 Master Builder Awards.
MCK Construction scooped the top prize for their work in restoring an old coastguard lookout tower in the Angus village of Usan. The tower had formally been used as a lookout post and housed rocket rescue equipment, but was abandoned in the 1960s – leading to the state of the building deteriorating, with the lookout balcony largely rotted away.
A local fisherman, upset at a focal point of his hometown going to ruin, purchased the decaying tower and contracted MCK construction to redevelop it into a family home complete with an extension to allow for further panoramic views of the North Sea.
Because of the close proximity to the sea, the stoneworkchad to be repointed and given a general makeover. The grand stone steps that would originally have led to the lookout post now lead to the master bedroom. The extension is a timber frame structure with large gable glazing, maintenance-free cement cladding, zinc standing seam roof covering and rainwater goods. Particular effort was made to ensure that the distinction between old and new can easily be made.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said, “I am proud that the FMB Master Builder Awards have been sponsored by a household name, and that our overall winner has been presented with one of Isuzu’s finest products. The Isuzu Utah Pick Up will enhance the winning business in the year ahead, and most likely support their production of another award-winning project for the 2021 Master Builder Awards. MCK Construction is a worthy winner, having brought a piece of Scotland’s history back to life and I congratulate them once again for showcasing the talent and potential of builders all across the UK.”
George Wallis, head of marketing at Isuzu UK, added, “Isuzu are proud to be the headline sponsor of the overall Master Builder of the Year Award, it’s integral to our fantastic partnership with the FMB. All the award nominees were already winners in their own categories, so it really was an extremely hard job to select the overall winner, we were looking for the best of the best. MCK Construction’s entry stood out as the history of the building, innovative use of space and materials as well as having overcome many real challenges to deliver an awesome project. We wish them all the best in their thoroughly deserved prize of a new Isuzu D-Max Utah.”
