A cascading home that works within its landscape has been named Australian Home of the Year at the 2021 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards.
The house, by NSW builder Mallinger Constructions, undulates across multiple levels, embracing the steep slope of its location. The living wing hovers nine metres out over a sandstone cave, while the open-plan kitchen flows onto a courtyard that contours around protruding boulders.
The judges were impressed by the building team’s engineering feats in overcoming a site fall of more than 17 metres, a plunge pool cut into the rock and the workmanship of an internal timber feature that conceals a hidden room.
“Rather than removing obstructive site features, the home’s clever design instead binds its internal spaces to them,” the judges commented.
The home also won HIA Australian Custom Built Home, partnered by Beacon Lighting and was featured on Season 8 (episode 3) of Grand Designs Australia.
Western Australian building company Ultimo Constructions was named HIA Australian Professional Small Builder / Renovator for the third consecutive year for their strong customer service and team development initiatives. Over the past 12 months Ultimo Constructions focused on branding, and launched a podcast series to inspire and educate people about the home building process.
An immersive bathroom with one-way reflective glass walls by South Australia’s Desyn Homes won HIA Australian Bathroom of the Year partnered by Hettich Australia.
“It seamlessly blurs the lines between outdoor and in”, the judges commented.
“The striking black formed concrete bath and vanity are complemented by raw copper plumbing features and Jarrah timber which adds to the room’s warmth”, they concluded.
Crown Group (NSW) won HIA Australian Apartment Complex for a development in Sydney which consists of two interconnected loops with a suspended sky bridge.
The HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards showcase the talents of the nation’s top builders and designers. Winners are selected from state-based finalists, with awards in 22 separate categories including Professional Builders, display home, apprentice, bathrooms and kitchens.
The awards were announced virtually on 30 July in front of an international audience of industry leaders and home-buyers.
