In a year like no other, SpaceCraft Joinery dominated the proceedings like no other at the South Australian HIA awards last Saturday night, 7 November. They started the night with a bang, with the family-owned company from Strathalbyn claiming every single award – three in total – for renovated kitchens. But that wasn’t to be the end of it: Nathan Wundersitz also took out the state’s premier Kitchen Design award for the second year running. This means Nathan will once again represent SA at the HIA’s national contest in 2021.
In all, four very different SpaceCraft kitchens figured in the results, representing everything from affordable to luxury, with each one a uniquely creative expression of the client’s dream. With these results, it cements the company’s reputation as South Australia’s hottest joinery and the obvious choice for those who will only be satisfied by a one-off kitchen design. And that’s a rather daunting achievement for the delightfully humble Wundersitzes and their extended family of craftsmen and women, many of whom were there on the night to share the celebrations.
As Managing Director, Ellen Wundersitz, admitted, “when we all arrived, we discovered our table was right by the stage and I thought: is this a good omen? But you never know, do you? Thankfully, the kitchen awards were up first, so we didn’t have to sweat it out too long. But when we won the first, then the second, and then the third, I’m afraid we made a bit of noise. And afterwards, we partied long into the night at 2KW, so there are some very sore heads today.”
Sore head or not, Ellen’s first thought was to thank her clients for their support and inspiration. There’s Margaret & Peter, whose eclectic retro kitchen for their converted Anglican rectory in Port Elliot won Renovated Kitchen up to $35,000. There’s Kellie & Mads, whose beachside home/office was given a clean, uncluttered Scandinavian-style kitchen, which won Renovated Kitchen $35,001 to $55,000. There’s Matt & Megan’s richly timbered and magnificently curvaceous mid-century modern kitchen in Hawthorn, which won Renovated Kitchen over $55,001. And, last but far from least, Daniel & Genevieve, whose earthy industrial-style kitchen with brilliant views over the Adelaide skyline won SA’s Kitchen Design of the Year.
SpaceCraft Joinery also wanted to pay tribute to three companies they love collaborating with, which were recognised for the exceptional quality of their work at the HIA awards. Congratulations go to Dellatorre Construction, which won for Custom Built Home up to $550,000 and featured SpaceCraft joinery; the Wundersitzes’ friends and neighbours at Aaron Martin Construction for best SA Professional Small Builder/Renovator for the fourth time in a row; and Violi Construction, which won best Heritage Renovation that included yet another SpaceCraft kitchen for Louise & Stephen.
As Ellen said, “Seeing these likeminded partners, who value design, detail and relationships, have their moment in the spotlight is just as joyful as winning ourselves. Well…” she laughed, “Almost!”