A house that is comfortable year-round with minimal energy consumption has been named winner of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) GreenSmart Awards this week.
Three awards went to Victorian sustainable builder Ovens & King for the one-bedroom home built to the Passive House standard – the 2021 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home, Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home and HIA Australian GreenSmart Energy Efficiency.
The judges were impressed by the standard of construction to achieve a comfortable home year-round with minimal energy consumption.
“Thermal performance of the windows minimise air movement and limit heat gain and loss contributing to the superior performance of the home” they commented.
“Material choice reflects the overall high quality of construction and demonstrate a passion for sustainable building.”
Winners from around Australia were recognised for their contribution to sustainable building practices.
– McArdle Projects from South Australia won GreenSmart Renovation/Addition Project for transforming a previously dilapidated 1920s cottage into an all-electric home.
– Solaire Properties Queensland won GreenSmart Sustainable Home. The Brisbane home dramatically minimises its carbon footprint and maximises energy efficiency and comfort using sustainable materials.
– Adelaide Green Homes, South Australia won GreenSmart Display/Project Home for their 7.1-star energy efficient Hendrie display home. Materials used in the home were carefully selected based on local supply, recycled content and end-of-life recycling.
– Janine Strachan from Green Design Solutions, Victoria won GreenSmart Professional for designing solar passive homes using on lightweight construction and sustainable building materials; both off-grid and grid-connected.
– NuPod by Neumann Steel, Queensland won GreenSmart Product for the revolutionary method of creating concrete slabs using built-in interlocking spacers. NuPod is produced using 100% Australian recycled plastic, and removes the need for polystyrene.
In congratulating the winners, HIA Managing Director Graham Wolfe said the Australian GreenSmart Awards represent the latest in environmental design excellence and sustainable building practices, and recognise HIA members who design and build greener and more liveable homes.
“HIA is committed to sustainable building outcomes through environmentally focussed design, innovation and construction”, Wolfe said.
“The winners and finalists are at the cutting-edge in their field and demonstrate expertise and commitment to build superior performing, energy-saving homes for their clients.
“Each winner and finalist is congratulated for achieving success at a national level and demonstrating that comfort, security, innovation and value for money can co-exist in a sustainable built environment”, he concluded.
