The exceptionally high standard of building work achieved by all the candidates for the Young Builder of the Year award in 2018 presented the judges with the unenviable task of choosing a winner from a formidable field of builders who are continually raising the bar in terms of refinement and sophistication in building. The judges never cease to be amazed by the high quality of the entries, including entries that have not managed to win an award this year, but are nonetheless of a very high calibre.   After careful consideration, the judges decided unanimously that this young builder was the most deserving in view of the complexity, refinement and beauty of his winning entry, and the flawless execution of the demanding design which was delivered under a “lump sum” contract, on time and on budget. The project involved the renovation of a stone-built worker’s cottage and the construction of a rear addition of pre-dominantly off-form concrete, and was, in the opinion of the judges, a masterclass in building by a talented young builder, Mark Newman.