Building

Sustainable homes recognised at Australian awards

The prestigious 2018 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home was presented to ACT building company Prostyle Building Group. The award is the highest accolade presented at the 2018 Housing Industry Association (HIA) Lawn Solutions Australian GreenSmart Awards.

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.

The 2018 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home features solar passive design, carbon- friendly hemp walls, energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting and a 22,000-litre underground water tank to service the laundry, toilets and garden.

The judges were impressed by the well-considered approach of starting from a base of good passive design and then working through to technologies and products.

“The home is at the cutting edge of what is currently the most important global sustainable development goal – zero carbon emissions,” the judges commented.

Hemp walls with lime render inside and out are the first in the ACT. Specialist training was undertaken, showing real commitment to training and educating tradespeople.

The home also won the award for HIA Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home. Winners from all around Australia were recognised for their contribution to sustainable
building practices.

Joe Mercieca of Blue Eco Homes, NSW won HIA Australian GreenSmart Professional for constantly looking for new and innovative practices and products which will add sustainability benefits to the homes he builds.

360 Building Solutions and Light House Architecture and Science, ACT & Southern NSW won HIA Australian GreenSmart Sustainable Home. The home is clever and cost-effective, and boasts a 8.2 star energy rating with technologies that include roof space to subfloor air transfer and smart phase change materials.

MyStyle Homes, North QLD won HIA Australian GreenSmart Display Home for a sustainable home featuring passive solar design, thermal mass and lightweight construction methods; contributing to an impressive 9.3 star energy rating.

SIPS Industries Australia and Chalk Build, WA won HIA Australian GreenSmart Spec Home. The long-term benefits of this home include lower energy and water bills, and less requirement for energy to heat and cool the home.

Living Green Designer Homes, Hunter won HIA Australian GreenSmart Renovation / Addition Project for a home with year-round comfort created with attention to breezes, insulation, water tanks, low-e-glass, solar-passive design principles and extended eaves.

Nulook Homes, Solar Dwellings and StepBeyond, WA won HIA Australian GreenSmart Water Efficiency for a contemporary home where water efficiency has been considered in fixtures and fittings, rain water capture – including a specially designed roof for optimal rainwater collection – and grey water reuse.

Nulook Homes, Solar Dwellings and StepBeyond also won HIA Australian GreenSmart Energy Efficiency for bringing together solar passive, lifecycle emission and GreenSmart design principles for clients with a passion for sustainability.

Palumbo, SA won HIA Australian GreenSmart Townhouse / Villa Development for a development of twelve low energy homes; each one being well oriented with cross- ventilation and double-glazed windows.

Evo Building Products, NSW won HIA Australian GreenSmart Product for RapidRidge, a passive ventilated roof system, which has significant impact on the energy loads of homes.

In congratulating the winners, HIA Managing Director Graham Wolfe said HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards represent the latest in environmental design and building practices.

“HIA Australian GreenSmart Award winners and finalists are leading the way in sustainable building practices, including site management and energy saving techniques, to build comfortable homes for their clients,” Mr Wolfe said.

“The awards recognise HIA members building and designing greener and more liveable homes.”

The HIA GreenSmart program began almost 20 years ago and is a voluntary initiative available to HIA members.

Source: HIA

Image courtesy of Prostyle Building Group