Professional

For builder and educator Nick Sowden, sustainable construction isn't a trend, it's a personal mission. With a focus on health, performance, and future resilience, his work is transforming how homes are built and lived in across Australia. Since building one of Sydney's first Hempcrete homes in 2015, Nick has steadily advanced sustainable construction by educating industry peers, collaborating on research, and completing multiple certified PassivHaus EnerPHit renovations. His approach blends technical precision with environmental ethics: airtight envelopes, heat recovery ventilation systems, solar and battery setups, and only low-tox, low-carbon materials. Every project reflects Nick's philosophy: reuse before rebuild, prioritise occupant wellbeing, and build with long-term impact in mind. He regularly opens homes to the public, contributes to national retrofit strategy through ASBEC, and is working with a major bank to develop green finance models tied to energy performance. A father, a builder, and a changemaker, Nick is showing the industry what's possible when craftsmanship, climate responsibility, and care go hand in hand.