The latest architecture and interior design awards to be handed down, the 2019 Houses Awards feature an array of phenomenal Australian talent across a variety of projects including a Daylesford farm, a converted inner-Sydney power station and a super compact Hobart apartment. With many categories, we’ve selected a few of our favourite projects for you today.
Australian House of the year
Designed by Partners Hill, ‘Daylesford Longhouse’ combines a farm building, greenhouse and new business setup all within a 100 metre long shed — a unique project indeed! The large industrial building belies the gorgeous detail within that includes a lush internal garden.
The shed’s internal garden features a roof that can be opened according to the weather and the home’s intimate bedrooms feature beautiful landscape views. The home also took out the ‘New house over 200 square metres’ award.
New house under 200 square metres
Designed by Peter Stutchbury Architecture, Bay Guarella House is located within a eucalyptus forest with views to Guerrilla Bay on the New South Wales south coast. It’s also a shared holiday home between friends and the judges loved the way in which it allows its inhabitants to truly immerse themselves in the surrounding landscape.
House alteration and addition over 200 square metres (joint winner)
This category is unique in that it was awarded to two projects — Teneriffe House by Vokes and Peters and Brisbane Riverbank House by Owen Architecture.
A renovation and extension to a 1909 Brisbane Queenslander, Teneriffe House shows just how creative you can be with white and the end result is “delightfully sculptural and elegantly crafted” according to the jury. A triumph of indoor/outdoor living, the home features several lawn platforms and concrete arches that echo the home’s original internal timber ones. “It’s easy to imagine garden parties here” said the jurors. Yes, indeed.
The joint winner, Owen Architecture’s Brisbane Riverbank House is an addition to an existing 1930’s home for a car collector who wanted a home for family and friends to enjoy. The house features large courtyards that overlook the river and take in the surrounding bush – the use of brick and terracotta references the adjacent landscape.
House alteration and addition under 200 square metres
Designed by Sydney’s Tribe Studio, ‘House in Darlinghurst’ saw the site of a former electrical substation (built in the 1930’s) transformed into a new three bedroom home with leafy rooftop views.
Originally built in the 1930’s, the compact 50 square metre site is located in what was once a slum and red light district. It now boasts a spacious rooftop pool terrace surrounded by Venetian glass bricks described by the architect as a “wild extravagance.”
Apartment or unit
Hobart based architects Liz and Alex were honoured for their work in using plywood to transform a tiny 1970’s bedsit (it’s just 26 square metres!) into something that looks and feels spacious. The home features a fold-away kitchen, bathroom and bed that conceals domesticity and allows for flexibility within the tiny footprint. The space can be reconfigured to suit a couple or a party of 10!
The renovation includes a place for everything and the jury said that the most powerful aspect of the design is the way the space feels almost gallery-like when packed away which is impressive given the project’s size constraints.
