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Light House Architecture & Science and 360 Building Solutions won HIA Australian GreenSmart Sustainable Home for a compact, 7.9-star energy-efficient home which cleverly adapts to an awkwardly oriented and sloping site to optimise solar passive gains.
Sustainable features include salvaged Blackbutt timber, uPVC window frames and insulating glass units, a high-performance hot water system, 10,000-litre water tank, airtight LED downlights and a sub-surface irrigation system for the native vegetation garden beds. This category is partnered by WoodSolutions.
The duo also won HIA Australian GreenSmart Renovation/Addition Project for a thoughtful renovation that refreshed a tired and uncomfortable 1960s Canberra duplex into a modern, energy- and water-efficient home. The decision to work within the existing footprint of the building to generate sustainable lifestyle outcomes allows the owners to experience more comfortable and functional living quarters while remaining in their neighbourhood of choice.
The judges were impressed by the design and construction team’s ability to bring a whole new lease on life to the existing structure by creating a light-filled, functional and sustainable dwelling for the owners to enjoy for years to come. This category is partnered by Holcim.
The 2023 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home – the highest accolade presented at the 2023 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards – was won by Blue Eco Homes from New South Wales for an exceptional energy efficient dwelling that is fully accessible, multi-generational in design and built to a BAL-40 rating.
In congratulating the winners, HIA Managing Director Graham Wolfe said HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards recognise HIA members who deliver the latest in environmental design excellence and sustainable building practices.
“With the incoming changes to the National Construction Code, energy efficiency, water saving and condensation are important considerations for clients, designers, builders and material suppliers alike.
“HIA’s commitment to sustainable building outcomes through environmentally focussed design, innovation and construction has not altered over the 23 years the HIA GreenSmart program has been running. Our members demonstrate that comfort, security, innovation and value for money can co-exist in a sustainable built environment.
“Each winner and finalist is congratulated for achieving success at a national level. They are at the top of their field and are committed to building sustainable homes for their clients,” concluded Mr Wolfe.
The HIA GreenSmart program began more than 23 years ago and is a voluntary initiative available to HIA members.
The Awards major sponsor, the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) provides energy ratings for new dwellings and major renovations which helps create energy efficient, resilient and comfortable homes for the future.
For media images: media.hia.com.au
“Long-standing constraints on new home building in NSW, particularly land supply and planning system inefficiencies, are locking more and more first home buyers out of home ownership,” stated HIA Executive Director, NSW, Brad Armitage.
HIA has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s announcement of a Density Incentive Grant Scheme for medium and high-density housing developments.
“Restrictions on lending have been progressively tightened over the past 15 years making it increasingly difficult for banks to lend to first home buyers. Despite this increase in lending restrictions and the cost of lending, mortgage delinquency in Australia remains exceptionally close to zero,” stated HIA Economist, Maurice Tapang.
In his article today, published on abc.net.au, Alan Kohler states: “In 1999 came the final death knell of housing as a "right", when it became an investment asset after the Howard government halved capital gains tax.”