HOUSING | Inspiring Australia’s building professionals

Splendour on the grass

This exceptional restoration to an 1886 Italianate villa involved meticulous detailing to ensure authenticity remained in the original features while a contemporary addition takes the home’s magnificence to new heights.

WIN $500

Tasmania Timber is offering the chance to win $500 to those who complete this 10 minute survey.

Keep your cool

From technology to zoning, a comfortable home needs the right cooling solutions. HOUSING explores what airconditioning has in store for the homes of today, with an eye on tomorrow.

2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Sustainable Home

Beaumont Building Design in Victoria has taken out a national award for a highly sustainable, innovative and liveable home in Cape Paterson.

Weathering the storm

Working in construction certainly isn’t easy right now, but it’s not all doom and gloom. While external factors and legislative changes are impacting business, by putting the right actions in place at the right time, Rapsey Griffiths says it’s possible to thrive.

A plumb Australian legend

For more than 80 years Rheem has been delivering reliable and resourceful hot water solutions to Australian homes. From historical to the contemporary, what is it that makes Rheem an Aussie icon?

Projects

Touch the sky

Inspired by Sydney’s streetscape of archways and textures, HIA’s 2020 Australian Apartment Complex winner, Arc by Crown Group, is a multi-level ascension to luxury living with a homage to heritage.

Breeze on in

Within the constraints of a narrow site, this distinctive, sustainably-built residence in Perth was designed to adapt to changes in the day and seasons.

Changing perceptions

The 2020 HIA Australian Townhouse/Villa of the Year was awarded to Metricon Homes South Australia for this innovative example of spacious design on a small lot.

Splendour on the grass

Creative corner

With a striking design offering an inspired response to a tricky canal site, the Corner House is already on its way to becoming a new landmark in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.

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In Focus

Waste not

Waste management practices are changing in the building industry. Here’s what you should know and tips on how to best adapt to new restrictions.

On the right footing

With building quality gaining media scrutiny, properly understanding site foundations, soil classification and drainage around sites cannot be understated. HOUSING takes a look at these issues, and what builders and contractors can do to avoid costly rectification issues down the track.

Keeping up with COVID

While industry has struggled to stay pace with the changes brought on by the pandemic, HIA has been at the coalface providing resources, advice and a guiding voice to policy decision makers.

Return to form

Which state will be the first to pull out of the COVID-19 recession? HIA Economics looks at the data and the predictions may surprise you.

People

Insulating the future

Robert Vis of SIPs Industries is seeing growing interest in the use of structurally insulated panels to produce sustainable housing in Australia, with more people conscious of the benefits to be gained by using prefabricated building products.

Game changer

Penelope Haley, owner of the award-winning company Valley Workshop, shares her ideas on incorporating sustainability in industry through prefabrication.

Pursuing change

Sustainability expert Dr Shaila Divakarla is passionate about effecting positive change in the built environment, and shares her thoughts on how and when we incorporate sustainable principles in housing.

Family ties

By sharing their passion, dedication and skills with the next generation of housing professionals, the owners of this family-run business, Chris and Melissa Snel, are helping to strengthen the future of our industry.

Products

WIN $500

Tasmania Timber is offering the chance to win $500 to those who complete this 10 minute survey.

Smarter, cleaner, greener

Product development in the building industry is continually advancing, with new options promising a heap of benefits, from improving occupant health to more affordable smart products. Here are a few finds that are in the research phase and here right now to try.

Keep your cool

From technology to zoning, a comfortable home needs the right cooling solutions. HOUSING explores what airconditioning has in store for the homes of today, with an eye on tomorrow.

Building essentials

We’re restricted by COVID-19 but some building suppliers and operators are busier than ever. HOUSING discovers more about their products and services to improve onsite efficiencies and produce durable builds.

Kitchens, Bathrooms and Interiors

Sustainability reimagined

Meticulously constructed from a diverse range of reclaimed materials, this eclectic, highly liveable home demonstrates its builder’s love of design and holistic approach to sustainability.

Perfectly formed

Flawlessly married marble, steel and timber elements came together to create the 2020 HIA Australian Bathroom of the Year.

Secret ingredients

With its pared-back take on industrial design, the Australian Kitchen of the Year exudes warmth and depth in the heart of an architect’s Adelaide home.

Colours of sanity

Wattyl has provided insights into the ideal colour palettes to help revive the home and improve mental health during COVID-19.

Divide and conquer

Open-plan living has become increasingly popular over recent years. But there are times it can limit privacy and make it harder to zone areas. Here are a few ideas to help divide a space without putting up walls.

Business

Interactive stories

When followers actively engage with your story on Instagram your content will show up in their feed sooner and more often, so give them a chance to interact!

Sustainable by design

Natural Lifestyle Homes helped put sustainable housing into the spotlight back in the early 2000s. The company’s owner talks about how industry and consumer attitudes to sustainability have changed since then.

Keep your wheels in motion

Whether you’ve been in business for years or just starting out, maintaining motivation to achieve your goals is a challenge for everyone. If you’re feeling like your wheels have stopped turning, try these strategies to continue heading in the direction you want to go.

Resources

Looking for technical information or design inspiration? HOUSING has rounded up a few supporting tools to narrow your search and advance your knowledge in the new year.

Awards

Winners revealed: 2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards

The winners of the 2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards were announced on 8 September.

2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home and GreenSmart Display/Project Home

Is this Australia’s most sustainable home? The 2020 HIA Australia GreenSmart Home was awarded to an impressive certified Passive House project by Blue Mountains builder Blue Eco Homes.

2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Renovation/Addition Project

The winner of the 2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Renovation/Addition Project award is a formerly dilapidated Canberra property that was transformed into an energy-efficient family home.

2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home

Reminiscent of an upside down Akubra hat, this unusual rural property has been designed to operate off-grid and is the 2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home winner.

2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Multi Dwelling Development

A thoughtful intergenerational project by Light House Architecture & Science and 360 Building Solutions is the winner of the 2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Multi Dwelling Development award.

Features

A plumb Australian legend

For more than 80 years Rheem has been delivering reliable and resourceful hot water solutions to Australian homes. From historical to the contemporary, what is it that makes Rheem an Aussie icon?

Nature's design

Bathroom design has come a long way, and today’s spaces are all about the relaxation, pleasure and health of consumers as much as they are about style.

Setting the bar

A resolution for condensation in roof ventilation? Practical designs for small lot housing? Prefabricated structural building solutions? 2020 promises product advancements that are moving with the times.

Heritage and experience: partnering with builders for half a century

Since 1953, quantity surveyors Rawlinsons has been a trusted business partner to the construction industry, but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to these experts in cost estimation.

Lifestyles

No one likes a negative Nancy

Moods of workers are highly contagious so managing the spread of unhelpful negativity will go a long way in improving the quality of your workplace.

Green living

There are plenty of ways to make your home more eco-friendly without expending much effort. Here are four ideas you can easily introduce at your place over the summer break.

Balkan beauty

The pristine allure of Croatia’s meandering shores and rugged inland provinces are drawing visitors by the millions to experience the cultural delights of this formerly austere tourist spot. HOUSING’s Editor recently returned to her homeland for a family ‘vacay’ and explains why this bustling destination is currently all the rage.

Encouraging healthy thinking

While there is particular attention of mental health during October, it’s important to manage the responsibility of workplace mental health throughout the year.

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Splendour on the grass

WIN $500

Keep your cool

2020 HIA Australian GreenSmart Sustainable Home

Weathering the storm

A plumb Australian legend

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