{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationRestoring local legacy
Restoring local legacy
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Kerryn Ramsey
Senior Content Coordinator
On the main road into Cowaramup in Western Australia, one building has always stood out. With its rustic charm and a hand-painted cow out the front, the Old Cheese Factory was an integral part of the town’s identity. After years of wear, however, it was time for a new chapter. Caves Road Constructions, led by local builder and Director Benjamin Lawrie, has created a building that retains the soul of the original while bringing it into a new era.
Although not formally heritage-listed, the building carried emotional weight for locals. It was originally constructed by Cowaramup trades from regional materials. ‘The Old Cheese Factory came with plenty of challenges,’ recalls Ben, who founded Caves Road Constructions in 2019. ‘The clients and locals wanted to keep its character, so we reused as much of the original structure as possible.
‘The exposed jarrah trusses are definitely a stand-out. Most of the jarrah that was removed during demolition was repurposed into custom features – doors, handrails, shelves, light fittings and even desk legs. Nothing went to waste. The much-loved painted cow was refreshed and kept in place on the highway frontage; an important feature for the community.’
The renovation was comprehensive, and the old factory is now a functional four-bedroom family home. The original freezer room was removed to make way for a new mezzanine floor and a southern extension, adding a new bedroom and living area. Designer Drew Szandtner of Ambient Building Design utilised the existing height of the structure to celebrate the timber frame. ‘Drew’s design made the most of the building’s height, opening it up and showing off the jarrah framing,’ Ben says.
Technically, the site demanded significant problem-solving. The concrete slab was originally designed to drain dairy waste and had to be completely reworked. ‘We had to convert the old dairy waste and onsite sewerage into a usable system,’ Ben says. ‘The concreters had to rework the existing slab into a level, trafficable floor that could support a mezzanine. This took problem-solving to a new level.’
Those finishing touches weren’t just about style; they were central to the home’s philosophy. ‘It came down to instinct and trust,’ Ben explains. ‘We made decisions that suited the old structure, and the clients trusted us. That freedom made the endresult flow naturally.’
Ben and his team had the added advantage of being local. ‘We could keep a close eye on it every day and tackle issues head-on. Working in our hometown made this project special. The locals were curious and supportive, and it quickly became a talking point on the main road.’
Today, Ben and his team work with all kinds of materials from brick, rammed earth, and off-form concrete to timber frame homes. ‘Our clients are at the heart of our projects. We communicate with our clients from beginning to end, building solid relationships, and ensuring transparency throughout the entire process.
Caves Road Constructions is expanding into modular housing through a new venture: Caves Road Modular. ‘This lets us build smarter, faster and more efficiently without compromising quality,’ Ben says. ‘It’s about giving people in the south-west a high-quality, flexible option that can be delivered quickly, sustainably and with less disruption.’
The sympathetic renovation of Cowaramup’s Old Cheese Factory illustrates how complexity can be solved without losing sight of craft. As Ben puts it: ‘We don’t cut corners. We’re not interested in being the cheapest. We’re interested in doing it right. And that’s how you build a reputation.’
Caves Road Old Cheese Factory project before the renovations
At a glance
Builder
Caves Road Constructions
Designer
Ambient Building Design
Award
2024 HIA Western Australia Renovation/Addition Project
Location
Cowaramup, WA
Materials:
- Concrete: Grey Fever Concrete
- Brickwork: Adrian Kozyrski Bricklaying
- Carpentry: Ryan Byrne & Will Bona
- Cabinetmaking: A&A Kitchens
- Floor & wall tiling: Kooloos Tiling
- Roofing: DCB Roofing
- Solar system: Green Earth Electrical
- Earthworks: Hadley Earthworks
- Polished Concrete, Polished Concrete Company
- Shower screens & robe doors: Cape to Cape Glass
- Airconditioning: Stinson Air & Solar.
Regional winner
Congratulations to Caves Road Constructions, who was awarded 2024 HIA Western Australia Renovation/Addition Project award.
First published on 5 December 2025