Best sustainable homes recognised

A distinctive butterfly-shaped roof for optimal solar penetration crowns the winner of this year’s HIA Australian GreenSmart Home award.

The stunning 10-star home by Victorian building company The Sociable Weaver is designed to maximise energy efficiency, with a reclaimed internal green wall, recycled brick walls and even a recycled concrete pipe installed as a kitchen bench feature.

Built with a zero-waste philosophy and carbon positive, the home is a prime example of a comfortable and sustainable home.

With consumers now more than ever looking for smarter ways to build and increasingly seeking energy efficient homes for their comfort and long- term cost savings, the HIA GreenSmart Awards showcase builders and designers at the forefront of sustainability.

An impressive off-grid sustainable house controlled by smart automation won the GreenSmart Custom Built Home Award for DJG Projects, QLD. A photovoltaic system runs the building management system which offers real time data on energy and water usage.

The GreenSmart Spec Home Award went to Eco-Essence Homes, QLD. With a NatHERS thermal performance rating of 8.5 stars, this home has been designed to take advantage of passive solar heating. All products were purchased from local manufacturers – minimising transportation and, in turn, carbon emissions.

Positive Footprints, VIC won GreenSmart Renovation / Addition Project for a home with a roof designed to maximise solar access. Phase-change sheets in the upper ceiling mitigate over-heating while insulation to the existing house and a 4.7kW photovoltaic grid connect system make this a winning home.

Right Homes, WA won the Water Efficiency award for measures taken to reduce water wastage resulted in a home that will consume 80 per cent less water than the average house. The standout is the installation of two 7,000-litre rainwater tanks beneath the garage to maximise onsite space.

Right Homes also won GreenSmart Townhouse / Villa Development for 8 and 9.5-star townhouses which are cost-effective and energy- efficient. The homes feature low-VOC paint, six-star tapware, 4.5-star and above toilets, low-E glazed doors and windows and a 2.4 kilowatt photovoltaic system.

HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards recognise the best in environmentally-responsible housing. Award winners and finalists make a positive difference to the environment by building sustainable, energy efficient and comfortable homes.