Winning Designs: The Best New Houses in Australia
The 2018 Houses Awards honor a new batch of creative designs in Australia’s homes, additions and apartments
Standout designs ranging from a sloped-roof residence in a former paddock to an alteration involving a hole in the roof took top honors in Australia’s 2018 Houses Awards, winning out over an impressive array of short-listed projects. The awards celebrate the best in Australian residential architecture and design and were announced July 27 at the annual Houses Awards gala in Sydney.
“Australia is witnessing a growing diversity of housing product as a consequence of changing social and economic forces,” says Stuart Vokes, 2018 juror and winner of the 2017 Australian House of the Year award. “Architects are responding with exciting examples of innovative typologies, diverse spatial scales and socially responsible models, evident amongst this year’s awarded projects and practices.”
Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture won in the House of the Year and New House Over 200 Square Meters (2,153 square feet) categories. “Cabbage Tree House is wonderfully aspirational, beautifully made and a joyful expression of landscape and one’s place in nature,” Vokes says.
“Australia is witnessing a growing diversity of housing product as a consequence of changing social and economic forces,” says Stuart Vokes, 2018 juror and winner of the 2017 Australian House of the Year award. “Architects are responding with exciting examples of innovative typologies, diverse spatial scales and socially responsible models, evident amongst this year’s awarded projects and practices.”
Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture won in the House of the Year and New House Over 200 Square Meters (2,153 square feet) categories. “Cabbage Tree House is wonderfully aspirational, beautifully made and a joyful expression of landscape and one’s place in nature,” Vokes says.
Photo by Michael Nicholson
Jury notes: Cabbage Tree House is a remarkable, complete Australian house that authentically and poetically embraces its landscape setting on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Anchored in a rock shelf, the masonry structure leans back into the hillside.
Internally, the home has cave-like qualities. It is a sanctuary away from city life and is connected to the landscape. The scale of the building is broken down into smaller spaces of retreat and seclusion — all with views into vast woodland.
Jury notes: Cabbage Tree House is a remarkable, complete Australian house that authentically and poetically embraces its landscape setting on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Anchored in a rock shelf, the masonry structure leans back into the hillside.
Internally, the home has cave-like qualities. It is a sanctuary away from city life and is connected to the landscape. The scale of the building is broken down into smaller spaces of retreat and seclusion — all with views into vast woodland.
Photo by Michael Nicholson
Exposed concrete, steel and brickwork give the impression of permanence and longevity, as well as having thermal mass benefits. The home is intended for comfort in all seasons: It captures cool breezes from the east in summer and is spread out to the north toward the winter sun.
Exposed concrete, steel and brickwork give the impression of permanence and longevity, as well as having thermal mass benefits. The home is intended for comfort in all seasons: It captures cool breezes from the east in summer and is spread out to the north toward the winter sun.
Photo by Michael Nicholson
Although this house is undeniably an impressive piece of architecture, it has the warmth, layers and livability of a welcoming home. Every design detail is considered, from the circular skylights that give glimpses of blue skies above to the handcrafted wood handrail. It is a house through which one can reconnect with nature — not as a museum piece, but as a home to be lived in. This home is the Australian House of the Year for its timeless qualities, impressive sculptural forms and connection to place.
Although this house is undeniably an impressive piece of architecture, it has the warmth, layers and livability of a welcoming home. Every design detail is considered, from the circular skylights that give glimpses of blue skies above to the handcrafted wood handrail. It is a house through which one can reconnect with nature — not as a museum piece, but as a home to be lived in. This home is the Australian House of the Year for its timeless qualities, impressive sculptural forms and connection to place.
Photo by Michael Nicholson
Photo by Ben Hosking
New House Under 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet)
Springhill House by Lovell Burton Architecture
Spring Hill, Victoria
New House Under 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet)
Springhill House by Lovell Burton Architecture
Spring Hill, Victoria
Photo by Ben Hosking
Jury notes: Springhill House makes a significant contribution to residential architecture in Australia. It responds to its setting, brief and budget with utility, clarity and rigor. Sited on a north-facing slope in an unused
agricultural paddock, this house built for an author is both economical and delightful.
The canny, efficient plan is organized by a rhythmic linear form that relates to structural bays. Slender wood portal frames allow for clear spans and a large, single-pitch roof that provides shade of varying depth around the house, which is broadened or contracted according to orientation and strong solar-passive design principles.
The structural rhythm is broken on the north side to mark a large opening to living areas, and is sheathed on the southern arrival side by galvanized sheet metal siding, which gives the house a taut, sheer expression — tough, yet gleaming and mirage-like.
Jury notes: Springhill House makes a significant contribution to residential architecture in Australia. It responds to its setting, brief and budget with utility, clarity and rigor. Sited on a north-facing slope in an unused
agricultural paddock, this house built for an author is both economical and delightful.
The canny, efficient plan is organized by a rhythmic linear form that relates to structural bays. Slender wood portal frames allow for clear spans and a large, single-pitch roof that provides shade of varying depth around the house, which is broadened or contracted according to orientation and strong solar-passive design principles.
The structural rhythm is broken on the north side to mark a large opening to living areas, and is sheathed on the southern arrival side by galvanized sheet metal siding, which gives the house a taut, sheer expression — tough, yet gleaming and mirage-like.
Photo by Ben Hosking
Internally, the house is planned to avoid circulation space, with open living areas and a tight service spine, flanked on each end by a study with framed but expansive views. Springhill House demonstrates that designing within limits, minimizing material and spatial excess and building on tradition can lead to unembellished yet exceptional occupation.
Internally, the house is planned to avoid circulation space, with open living areas and a tight service spine, flanked on each end by a study with framed but expansive views. Springhill House demonstrates that designing within limits, minimizing material and spatial excess and building on tradition can lead to unembellished yet exceptional occupation.
Photo by Ben Hosking
Photo by Brett Boardman Photography
House Alteration and Addition Under 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet), Joint Winner
Hole in the Roof House by Rachel Neeson and Stephen Neille
Bronte, New South Wales
House Alteration and Addition Under 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet), Joint Winner
Hole in the Roof House by Rachel Neeson and Stephen Neille
Bronte, New South Wales
Photo by Brett Boardman Photography
Jury notes: Hole in the Roof House is a delightful alteration and addition to a suburban bungalow located on a noisy road close to Bronte Beach. The original unremarkable home has been transformed into a domestic sanctuary by cutting a hole in the roof to make way for a courtyard with a mature plumeria tree.
Jury notes: Hole in the Roof House is a delightful alteration and addition to a suburban bungalow located on a noisy road close to Bronte Beach. The original unremarkable home has been transformed into a domestic sanctuary by cutting a hole in the roof to make way for a courtyard with a mature plumeria tree.
Photo by Brett Boardman Photography
The home revolves around and engages with the carved-out space, located on the naturally quietest part of the street. This courtyard, paired with the indoor living area, becomes the heart of the dwelling. The courtyard demonstrates the positive attributes of negative space — as well as being a quiet, peaceful focus for the house, it brings light to the center and enables cross-breezes without loss of privacy, and there is no need to lock up and air-condition the home. Rich spatial experiences are achieved through a layering of the plan; long and short vistas; and changes in scale, landscape and the curation of light.
The home revolves around and engages with the carved-out space, located on the naturally quietest part of the street. This courtyard, paired with the indoor living area, becomes the heart of the dwelling. The courtyard demonstrates the positive attributes of negative space — as well as being a quiet, peaceful focus for the house, it brings light to the center and enables cross-breezes without loss of privacy, and there is no need to lock up and air-condition the home. Rich spatial experiences are achieved through a layering of the plan; long and short vistas; and changes in scale, landscape and the curation of light.
Photo by Toby Scott
House Alteration and Addition Under 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet), Joint Winner
Terrarium House by John Ellway
Highgate Hill, Queensland
House Alteration and Addition Under 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet), Joint Winner
Terrarium House by John Ellway
Highgate Hill, Queensland
Photo by Toby Scott
Jury notes: A familiar Queensland worker’s cottage has been transformed into a lush planted oasis. John Ellway has deftly exploited the site’s natural fall by inserting living spaces underneath the raised original cottage. This move has deconstructed the classic veranda arrangement to create a wonderful, breezy and vine-covered entry and external vertical circulation. The design of the Terrarium House is attuned to its subtropical climate, promoting cross-ventilation with a sunken living space protected from the harsh Queensland sun.
Jury notes: A familiar Queensland worker’s cottage has been transformed into a lush planted oasis. John Ellway has deftly exploited the site’s natural fall by inserting living spaces underneath the raised original cottage. This move has deconstructed the classic veranda arrangement to create a wonderful, breezy and vine-covered entry and external vertical circulation. The design of the Terrarium House is attuned to its subtropical climate, promoting cross-ventilation with a sunken living space protected from the harsh Queensland sun.
Photo by Toby Scott
The compactness of the house
is its triumph; circulation flows seamlessly from one space to another and not one centimeter is wasted, with notable Japanese influences. A double-height space above the dining area gives the impression of space without deterring from the intimacy and warmth of the home.
The compactness of the house
is its triumph; circulation flows seamlessly from one space to another and not one centimeter is wasted, with notable Japanese influences. A double-height space above the dining area gives the impression of space without deterring from the intimacy and warmth of the home.
Photo by Toby Scott
This alteration and addition has been put together with care and finesse in a careful contextual response. There is restraint in its execution, and the design enhances the delight taken in everyday rituals.
This alteration and addition has been put together with care and finesse in a careful contextual response. There is restraint in its execution, and the design enhances the delight taken in everyday rituals.
Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones
House Alteration and Addition Over 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet)
Morningside Residence by Kieron Gait Architects
Morningside, Queensland
House Alteration and Addition Over 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet)
Morningside Residence by Kieron Gait Architects
Morningside, Queensland
Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones
Jury notes: Morningside Residence is a quiet, respectful and poetic addition to a 1920s Queenslander house. The original Queenslander has a story of craft and care. The new addition works subtly in the same way, with simplicity of plan and a focus on the art of making.
Jury notes: Morningside Residence is a quiet, respectful and poetic addition to a 1920s Queenslander house. The original Queenslander has a story of craft and care. The new addition works subtly in the same way, with simplicity of plan and a focus on the art of making.
Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones
With a small, elongated footprint, the new pavilion defines a generous north-facing outdoor living space — a simple strategy that creates high livability with an economy of means. The pavilion serves contemporary open-plan living, responds to climate and context and preserves the original house as a quite retreat, more inwardly focused and with sleeping areas.
At a time when Brisbane is losing significant numbers of its historical housing stock to demolition or
unsympathetic makeovers, Morningside Residence provides an enduring alternative that is more true to culture and place.
With a small, elongated footprint, the new pavilion defines a generous north-facing outdoor living space — a simple strategy that creates high livability with an economy of means. The pavilion serves contemporary open-plan living, responds to climate and context and preserves the original house as a quite retreat, more inwardly focused and with sleeping areas.
At a time when Brisbane is losing significant numbers of its historical housing stock to demolition or
unsympathetic makeovers, Morningside Residence provides an enduring alternative that is more true to culture and place.
Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones
Photo by Tom Ferguson
Apartment or Unit
Emerging Architecture Practice, Joint Winner
Boneca Apartment by Brad Swartz Architects
Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales
Apartment or Unit
Emerging Architecture Practice, Joint Winner
Boneca Apartment by Brad Swartz Architects
Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales
Photo by Tom Ferguson
Jury notes: With a growing appetite for microdomestic space in the residential market, this tiny renovated apartment is a timely reminder that the division and articulation of territory in the home is essential, no matter the scale. In this instance, the clear delineation between the functions of rooms and the public and private character of rooms is supported by the miniaturization of known spatial devices and practices.
Though its moves look simple, this subtle and sophisticated rethinking of an existing 258-square-foot (24-square-meter) apartment is an essay in comfort, luxury and unexpected spatial depth.
Jury notes: With a growing appetite for microdomestic space in the residential market, this tiny renovated apartment is a timely reminder that the division and articulation of territory in the home is essential, no matter the scale. In this instance, the clear delineation between the functions of rooms and the public and private character of rooms is supported by the miniaturization of known spatial devices and practices.
Though its moves look simple, this subtle and sophisticated rethinking of an existing 258-square-foot (24-square-meter) apartment is an essay in comfort, luxury and unexpected spatial depth.
Photo by Tom Ferguson
Here, a singular and familiar architectural element, a sliding slatted wood screen, defines the
function of the apartment at any given time. The position of this screen — there are only two — determines either a private room for sleeping or lounging or a public room for cooking and socializing.
All the programmed spaces — bathroom, kitchen, closet, sleeping alcove — are clearly arranged into a single integrated core, yielding a living room comparable in scale to that found in a regular one-bedroom apartment. This solution for thinking and living small is elegant, surprising and ambitious.
The jury is excited to see what’s next for this inspirational young practice.
Here, a singular and familiar architectural element, a sliding slatted wood screen, defines the
function of the apartment at any given time. The position of this screen — there are only two — determines either a private room for sleeping or lounging or a public room for cooking and socializing.
All the programmed spaces — bathroom, kitchen, closet, sleeping alcove — are clearly arranged into a single integrated core, yielding a living room comparable in scale to that found in a regular one-bedroom apartment. This solution for thinking and living small is elegant, surprising and ambitious.
The jury is excited to see what’s next for this inspirational young practice.
Photo by Brett Boardman Photography
Garden or Landscape
Coastal Garden House by Neeson Murcutt Architects With 360 Degrees
Bronte, New South Wales
Garden or Landscape
Coastal Garden House by Neeson Murcutt Architects With 360 Degrees
Bronte, New South Wales
Photo by Brett Boardman Photography
Jury notes: A garden is one of the most compelling symbols of home. The design brief for this project was a large house; however, the architects responded with a strategy for a large garden. Here, a new, flamboyant family home is set in an exotic coastal garden that preserves and intensifies a former domestic garden on the site, grounding and immersing the family and its domestic rituals in a terraced, episodic sandstone rock terrain.
Jury notes: A garden is one of the most compelling symbols of home. The design brief for this project was a large house; however, the architects responded with a strategy for a large garden. Here, a new, flamboyant family home is set in an exotic coastal garden that preserves and intensifies a former domestic garden on the site, grounding and immersing the family and its domestic rituals in a terraced, episodic sandstone rock terrain.
Photo by Brett Boardman Photography
The house is designed to be engulfed by its garden, but it is also seen as an extension of it — archaic, cave-like, a reoccupied ruin — with aspects of nature finding their way inside through random stone floors, planted roofscapes and creepers negotiating its exterior walls.
The house is designed to be engulfed by its garden, but it is also seen as an extension of it — archaic, cave-like, a reoccupied ruin — with aspects of nature finding their way inside through random stone floors, planted roofscapes and creepers negotiating its exterior walls.
Photo by Peter Clarke
Jury notes: Nightingale 1 is the beginning of an ambitious experiment that aims to shift the status quo of apartment design in Australia. Nightingale 1 achieves all the standard environmental sustainability benchmarks; however, it is the social and economic elements that make it a sustainability masterpiece: generous communal amenities, usable public space, alternative finance structure and clever and efficient construction techniques. The project also attains carbon-neutral operation using a fossil-fuel-free embedded network.
In addition to all its design and sustainability credentials, the building and its apartments are elegantly designed and comfortable. The glam-without-the-glam detailing is omnipresent — there is delight in the rawness of the materials and textures as soon as you enter the ground-floor lobby.
Jury notes: Nightingale 1 is the beginning of an ambitious experiment that aims to shift the status quo of apartment design in Australia. Nightingale 1 achieves all the standard environmental sustainability benchmarks; however, it is the social and economic elements that make it a sustainability masterpiece: generous communal amenities, usable public space, alternative finance structure and clever and efficient construction techniques. The project also attains carbon-neutral operation using a fossil-fuel-free embedded network.
In addition to all its design and sustainability credentials, the building and its apartments are elegantly designed and comfortable. The glam-without-the-glam detailing is omnipresent — there is delight in the rawness of the materials and textures as soon as you enter the ground-floor lobby.
Photo by Peter Clarke
The building encourages its inhabitants to lead a more sustainable lifestyle through the sharing of laundry facilities, growing vegetables, learning to work together as a community rather than just a household, and taking the train or riding a bike to work. Nightingale 1 aims to use architecture “as a catalyst to building community.” For this reason, it is an undoubtedly impressive example of sustainable architecture.
The building encourages its inhabitants to lead a more sustainable lifestyle through the sharing of laundry facilities, growing vegetables, learning to work together as a community rather than just a household, and taking the train or riding a bike to work. Nightingale 1 aims to use architecture “as a catalyst to building community.” For this reason, it is an undoubtedly impressive example of sustainable architecture.
Photo by Murray Fredricks
House in a Heritage Context
Bolt Hole by PanovScott Architects
Woollahra, New South Wales
House in a Heritage Context
Bolt Hole by PanovScott Architects
Woollahra, New South Wales
Photo by Murray Fredricks
Jury notes: While the site and existing building aren’t noted for their individual heritage contribution or significance, they fall within the small pedestrian area of the Woollahra Heritage Conservation Area C15 of inner Sydney. Accordingly, this project was subject to precinct and form controls. The building’s neighbors are the outbuildings of larger, individually noted heritage buildings fronting major streets on either side of the street. The original building (circa 1980) has been carefully considered and predominantly reused by the architects in a confident manner, but with a light touch.
Jury notes: While the site and existing building aren’t noted for their individual heritage contribution or significance, they fall within the small pedestrian area of the Woollahra Heritage Conservation Area C15 of inner Sydney. Accordingly, this project was subject to precinct and form controls. The building’s neighbors are the outbuildings of larger, individually noted heritage buildings fronting major streets on either side of the street. The original building (circa 1980) has been carefully considered and predominantly reused by the architects in a confident manner, but with a light touch.
Photo by Murray Fredricks
The architects stated that their aspiration was to forge a small piece of country in the city. The principal changes were the insertion of a central rectangular courtyard into the modest 1,220-square-foot (113-square-meter) floor area, coupled with the deliberate positioning of enclosed living areas to the road frontage and the location of the more private bedroom and bathroom accommodation to the rear of the site, away from the road.
The architects stated that their aspiration was to forge a small piece of country in the city. The principal changes were the insertion of a central rectangular courtyard into the modest 1,220-square-foot (113-square-meter) floor area, coupled with the deliberate positioning of enclosed living areas to the road frontage and the location of the more private bedroom and bathroom accommodation to the rear of the site, away from the road.
Photo by Murray Fredricks
Skillful design has delivered a
straightforward working plan of openness, charm and finesse.
By turning the project to the road, the architects and the owner have made a contribution to the life of the road, reciprocated in turn to the occupants of the dwelling. The enormous pressures due to the current rates of growth in the major cities in Australia and the associated challenges of providing quality housing of various types in inner and middle suburbs, often in heritage contexts, is amply addressed in this small but significant design.
Skillful design has delivered a
straightforward working plan of openness, charm and finesse.
By turning the project to the road, the architects and the owner have made a contribution to the life of the road, reciprocated in turn to the occupants of the dwelling. The enormous pressures due to the current rates of growth in the major cities in Australia and the associated challenges of providing quality housing of various types in inner and middle suburbs, often in heritage contexts, is amply addressed in this small but significant design.
Photo by Toby Scott
Jury notes: Nicholas Skepper and Zuzana Kovar established Brisbane-based Zuzana & Nicholas in 2013. With both directors having completed doctorates, this practice has an emphasis on research, testing architectural ideas and how things are made. There is a multimodal approach to practice, from writing and exhibitions to commissioned architectural work.
There is a subtlety to the residential projects by Zuzana & Nicholas that stems from considered restraint and a genuine understanding of context and site.
Commended in the Alteration and Addition Under 200-Square-Meters category, Monash Road House involves the clever reconfiguration of an existing postwar Queenslander house through minimal interventions and new insertions. The series of considered and in-depth design responses are promising of an exciting trajectory for this emerging practice.
Jury notes: Nicholas Skepper and Zuzana Kovar established Brisbane-based Zuzana & Nicholas in 2013. With both directors having completed doctorates, this practice has an emphasis on research, testing architectural ideas and how things are made. There is a multimodal approach to practice, from writing and exhibitions to commissioned architectural work.
There is a subtlety to the residential projects by Zuzana & Nicholas that stems from considered restraint and a genuine understanding of context and site.
Commended in the Alteration and Addition Under 200-Square-Meters category, Monash Road House involves the clever reconfiguration of an existing postwar Queenslander house through minimal interventions and new insertions. The series of considered and in-depth design responses are promising of an exciting trajectory for this emerging practice.
Photo by Toby Scott
Tell us: Which of these winning designs is your favorite? Let us know and tell us why in the Comments.
Tell us: Which of these winning designs is your favorite? Let us know and tell us why in the Comments.
Australian House of the Year
New House Over 200 Square Meters (2,153 Square Feet)
Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture
Bayview, New South Wales