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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards winners
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards winners
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Anne-Maree Brown
General Manager of Content
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home of the Year & Renovation/Addition project
Winner: Progressive Building
This standout Sydney renovation proves that uplifting existing housing stock can deliver big on sustainability, comfort, and design. Rather than start from scratch, the project cleverly reimagines an aging home on a steep block retaining core structures, repurposing materials, and dramatically improving energy performance. With a focus on passive house principles, the renovation features all-timber construction, high-efficiency insulation, heat recovery ventilation, and a 10kW REC solar system with 2kW battery integration.
Smart energy monitoring systems respond dynamically to solar supply, enabling the home to run nearly off-grid. Materials were chosen for both ethics and performance. Flooring is Global GreenTag-certified; carpets are made from recycled fishing nets; cabinetry, paints, and tiles are all low-emission. Wherever possible, existing structural elements, flooring, soil, and stone were reused minimising waste and honouring the original site.
The layout supports multigenerational living, while a green roof boosts insulation and biodiversity. Architecturally, the home hugs the land's natural slope, with timber balconies and layered landscaping blending seamlessly into the environment. It's a striking example of how sustainable design can be smart, flexible and visually beautiful.
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Sustainable Home
Winner: Tallwood Custom Built Homes
The Eco Barnhouse, nestled within the Witchcliffe Ecovillage, stands as a beacon of sustainability within one of the world's most eco-conscious residential developments. This dwelling is a remarkable 140 per cent carbon offset and achieves complete self-sufficiency in renewable energy and water resources.
At its core, the home features a 10kw photovoltaic system connected to a central storage battery and the village microgrid, allowing excess energy to power electric vehicles or contribute back to the Western Power grid. With a 100,000-litre rainwater tank, greywater recycling system, and waterwise fixtures, the house and garden thrive sustainably while promoting organic farming and native habitat preservation.
The Eco Barnhouse exemplifies holistic sustainability through design, energy efficiency, and mindful construction practices.
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Display/Project Home
Winner: Nulook Homes in conjunction with Solar Dwellings
The Catalina 10-star NatHERS-rated sustainable home showcases the possibilities of ultra-efficient, all-electric housing. Designed by Solar Dwellings and built by Nulook Homes, the home achieves 105 per cent net zero performance through passive solar design principles, a 10kW PV array with battery storage, EV charging infrastructure and dual-plumbed greywater reuse.
Thermal performance is optimised via slab-on-ground construction, high thermal mass (locally sourced recycled bricks and rammed limestone), airtight building fabric and low U-value UPVC windows. Materials were chosen for low embodied energy, with extensive use of recycled and locally sourced components. The result is a technically impressive, climate-resilient home built for low operational cost and long-term comfort.
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home
Winner: Blue Eco Homes
Gallery House is a resilient, off-grid Passivhaus in the Blue Mountains that blends bold design with exceptional sustainability. Built well beyond code, it delivers year-round comfort and exceeds bushfire standards. Designed by Villar Architects and Blue Eco Homes, the home features a 12.28W solar system with 57.4kWh battery storage, triple-glazed windows, a heat pump hot water system, and airtight construction achieving a blower door result of 0.52 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals.
A mature, environmentally protected Atlas Cedar tree helped shape the layout of the home. Rather than working around it, the design creates a quiet internal courtyard. With adaptable features for ageing in place and low-maintenance durability, this future-proofed home demonstrates how high performance, beauty and environmental responsibility can coexist seamlessly.
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Multi-dwelling Development
Winner: Samssons Projects
This carbon-neutral, dual-occupancy project in Melbourne's inner north proves that sustainability and style can thrive in tight urban spaces. Each home is designed for long-term liveability, featuring passive solar orientation, thermally broken double glazing, airtight wraps, and high-performance insulation.
Rooftop solar, heat pump hot water, and EV readiness support net-zero energy goals. Smart zoning, rainwater reuse and breathable building wraps elevate comfort and resilience. Backed by life cycle analysis and a NatHERS 8-star rating, the homes are built on data, not guesswork. Through design innovation, thoughtful material choices, and energy foresight, this project delivers a model for compact, climate-conscious housing proving that even on small lots, big sustainability is possible.
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Energy Efficiency Home
Winner: Nulook Homes in conjunction with Solar Dwellings
The Catalina 10-star-rated display home proves that high-performance, future-ready housing can be both beautiful and sustainable. Designed by Solar Dwellings and built by Nulook Homes, the home achieves 105 per cent net zero performance, with passive solar design principles, battery storage, solar panels, EV charging and greywater systems built in.
Locally sourced rammed earth walls, recycled bricks and reclaimed timber all contribute to its low embodied energy footprint. Intelligent automation controls lighting, security and shading, while Liveable Housing Australia Silverlevel accessibility features make the home adaptable for all ages and needs. Beyond innovation, this home is a powerful example of how sustainable building can be scalable, practical and inspiring for the next generation.
2025 HIA Australian GreenSmart Professional
Winner: Nick Sowden - Sowden Building Solutions
The Catalina 10-star-rated display home proves that high-performance, future-ready housing can be both beautiful and sustainable. Designed by Solar Dwellings and built by Nulook Homes, the home achieves 105 per cent net zero performance, with passive solar design principles, battery storage, solar panels, EV charging and greywater systems built in.
Locally sourced rammed earth walls, recycled bricks and reclaimed timber all contribute to its low embodied energy footprint. Intelligent automation controls lighting, security and shading, while Liveable Housing Australia Silverlevel accessibility features make the home adaptable for all ages and needs. Beyond innovation, this home is a powerful example of how sustainable building can be scalable, practical and inspiring for the next generation.
First published on 10 December 2025