Sekisui House Australia is rethinking the Australian home. Its latest project, SHINKA House II, demonstrates how thoughtful design can challenge expectations.

Located within Norman Estates at Gledswood Hills in southwest Sydney, the award-winning spec home occupies a prominent 685-square-metre corner site overlooking the Greg Norman–designed golf course. The setting offers expansive district views stretching across the fairways to the Blue Mountains, attracting both golfers and homeowners drawn to the sense of openness.

Constructed by Sekisui House Australia’s prestige brand, SHAWOOD, SHINKA House II was pre-engineered at the company’s Manufacturing and Quality Control Centre in Ingleburn, NSW. This system ensured exceptional accuracy and build quality before construction even began.

‘Shinka’ means evolution in Japanese. It’s a fitting name for a project that explores new interpretations of contemporary living. The design blends Australian and Japanese influences, combining expansive indoor–outdoor spaces with moments of calm introspection.

Perhaps the most striking departure from convention is the placement of the garage. Instead of dominating the street frontage, it sits discreetly at the rear of the property, accessed by a long driveway. The move frees up the front of the home for lush, landscaped space.

Inside, the house has a soaring double-height living space, while natural materials such as stone and timber add warmth and texture. The design team paid particular attention to how the home feels to inhabit – an approach reflected in a seven-metre-tall stone feature wall and carefully oriented spaces that capture sunlight and sunset views across the golf course.

Wellness is another defining theme. SHINKA House II incorporates a wellness centre featuring a spa, gym and yoga space, complemented by a Zen garden designed to encourage mindfulness and relaxation.

Additional lifestyle features include a subterranean wine cellar and generous entertaining areas. ‘We’re seeing homeowners place greater importance on wellbeing and how their home supports daily life,’ says Craig Barnes, Sales and Marketing Director – Residential Communities and Home Building, at Sekisui House Australia. ‘Spaces that encourage relaxation and connection are becoming an essential part of contemporary design.’

These qualities helped the project win the 2026 HIA Australian Spec Home award in April. HIA judges praised the attention to detail and effective use of materials both inside and out.

SHINKA House II also sets a new benchmark in sustainability. With a NatHERS Whole of Home rating score of 104, the residence achieves net zero energy performance, generating surplus solar power and offsetting more than 3.5 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

In combining bold design decisions, wellness-focused living and environmental performance, SHINKA House II demonstrates how challenging the norm can redefine what a modern Australian spec home can be.