“ I believe the success and recognition of this unique project was in large part due to Capital’s choice of the right team for the job, their drive to create a high-quality product, and their integrity throughout every aspect of the project…”

“ From the beginning, Capital rose to every challenge with a solutions based approach filled with enthusiasm. “

“ It was clear that subbies who had worked with Capital for years as well as others who had more recently joined the team had immense pride in their work, and took a high level of ownership in the project...”

As a project architect for Peter Stutchbury Architecture, I had the privilege of working with Capital Construction and Refurbishing on Cabbage Tree House, a residential project in Bayview, NSW.

The house was situated on a steep slope with tricky access, and right from the start the build was fraught with challenges. Excavating a clay site through one of the wettest winters on record meant Capital was working in a mud pit. Where there wasn’t mud, it was rock that had to be cut by hand.

From the beginning, Capital rose to every challenge with a solutions-based approach filled with enthusiasm. They built rapport with the client and myself through respect, trust, and genuine openness. There wasn’t a problem that couldn’t be worked through collaboratively, where everyone’s opinion truly mattered.

This approach was not constrained to Michael and Brad, the site foreman, but visibly trickled down to the subcontractors. It was clear that subbies who had worked with Capital for years as well as others who had more recently joined the team had immense pride in their work, and took a high level of ownership in the project.

The geometry of the house was highly complex and coupled with exposed raw materials – primarily brickwork and concrete. This meant there was very little room for hiding errors, and everything had to be worked through at length in advance. As the site was in close proximity to our office, it allowed an opportunity for meaningful conversations and working through details together on site. This took time and patience on Capital’s behalf. However, it illustrated their commitment to precise construction and a quality outcome.

On the contract side, the client made many changes and added scope to the project whilst under construction. Variations and Extensions of Time were contentious and always handled with the utmost professionalism by Capital.

Completed in early 2017, within 18 months, Cabbage Tree House had won multiple awards across construction and architecture, both state-wide and nationally. I believe the success and recognition of this unique project was in large part due to Capital’s choice of the right team for the job, their drive to create a high-quality product, and their integrity throughout every aspect of the project.

I am already looking forward to my next collaboration with Capital, and hope that opportunity arises soon. Furthermore, I know the client feels exactly the same. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or require more information.

“…We really feel like they are fully and completely committed…”

“ …Our project was challenging - a difficult site and a groundbreaking design that left nowhere to hide errors - and Capital delivered far beyond expectations… ”

We selected Michael Shortis and Capital Construction to build our home in Bayview, and there was never a moment we regretted our choice of builder. Our project was challenging - a difficult site and a groundbreaking design that left nowhere to hide errors - and Capital delivered far beyond expectations. The swag of major awards that this house received is a testament to Capital’s ability to translate great architecture into a great building.

They showed throughout the build:

- Outstanding attention to detail and quality
- The ability to manage costs and deliver
- A preparedness to partner and come up with great solutions to design problems

They were at all times a delight to work with, little things like the neatness and organisation of the work site, and the care with which they managed relationships with neighbours spoke volumes about their approach and passion.

Even now that build has finished, they have been straight onto the few minor issues that have emerged as the building settled down. We really feel like they are fully and completely committed.

We could not recommend them highly enough, and we would be happy to chat and show you their work in person.