Multi-level cliff home wins highest Australian housing award

A New South Wales home set on a cliff and built by Mallinger Constructions has been recognised as the HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year.

The Announcement:

A cascading home with panoramic views by NSW builder Mallinger Constructions won the coveted HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year at the 2021 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) Awards were announced virtually on 30 July in front of an international audience of industry leaders and home-buying consumers.

The winning home is grand in stature and undulates across multiple levels; embracing the steep slope of its location. The living wing hovers nine metres out over a sandstone cave, while the open-plan kitchen flows onto a courtyard that contours around protruding boulders.

The judges were impressed by the building team’s engineering feats in overcoming a site fall of more than 17 metres, a plunge pool cut into the rock and the workmanship of an internal timber feature that conceals a hidden room.

“Rather than removing obstructive site features, the home’s clever design instead binds its internal spaces to them,” the judges commented.

The home also won HIA Australian Custom Built Home, partnered by Beacon Lighting.

Western Australian building company Ultimo Constructions was named HIA Australian Professional Small Builder / Renovator for the third consecutive year for their strong customer service and team development initiatives.

The category is partnered by Companion Systems. Over the past 12 months Ultimo Constructions has focused on branding, and launched a podcast series to inspire and educate people about the home building process.

An immersive bathroom with one-way reflective glass walls by South Australia’s Desyn Homes won HIA Australian Bathroom of the Year partnered by Hettich Australia.

“It seamlessly blurs the lines between outdoor and in,” commented the judges.

“The striking black formed concrete bath and vanity are complemented by raw copper plumbing features and Jarrah timber which adds to the room’s warmth,” they concluded.

Crown Group (NSW) won HIA Australian Apartment Complex for a development in Sydney which consists of two interconnected loops with a suspended sky bridge. The category is partered by Daikin Australia.

“The sophisticated design and intricate construction of the building’s exterior was highly regarded, as were the luxury facilities of the complex,” stated a judge.

The HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards are the ultimate platform to showcase the talents of the nation’s top builders and designers. Winners are selected from state-based finalists, with awards in 22 separate categories including Professional Builders, display home, apprentice, bathrooms and kitchens (see full list below).

HIA Managing Director Graham Wolfe said the HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards recognise the best in Australia’s residential building industry.

“HIA is committed to recognising the outstanding achievements of our members. The HIA Awards allow us to acknowledge the skill of our members who excel in building exceptional homes, kitchens and bathrooms and run highly successful businesses.

“The workmanship of Award winners is exceptional; demonstrated in projects that push the boundaries in design and innovation. It is my absolute pleasure to congratulate each winner for their hard work and commitment to excellence.

“My congratulations also goes to our future tradespeople – our apprentices – who strive to be the best in all their pursuits. And to the professional builders and business partners who are ahead of the game in customer service, design and innovation, building quality and business practices,” Mr Wolfe added.

Source: The Housing Industry Association (HIA)