A stunning holiday home, nestled on a sharp slope, with views across Bass Straight at Separation Creek on the Great Ocean Road, has been named the HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year.
Built by Ballarat-based BCM Homes, the phenomenal home was designed and constructed with the goal of balancing aesthetics and the environment, which saw the home also named the winner of the HIA Australian Custom Built Home.
The home moulds to the landscape and is cleverly designed to preserve and celebrate the site’s breathtaking views.
Aside from the stunning design and location, it also includes hydronic in-slab heating, premium appliances, extensive integrated technology and a 600-bottle wine cellar for a perfect combination of luxury living with a laid-back coastal lifestyle.
The project overcame extreme difficulty with the judges impressed with the meticulous detail and execution, from large-scale technical and logistical, to the very smallest details.
BCM Homes Director, David Moyle, said he was honoured to receive the award against the other incredible homes that were completed over the past year.
“It’s a huge award and to win something like this on a national level we’re extremely proud and humbled,” Mr Moyle said.
“We’re a regional builder based in Ballarat and to be able to compete against the best builders in the nation, we’re absolutely wrapped.”
Mr Moyle designed the beautiful property as a holiday home for his family and said that given the location it was an incredibly challenging build.
“The project took around three years in the planning phase and then we were on site in construction for about 18 months,” he said.
“It was an extremely complex building methodology from a technical level.
“I’ve been in the industry for 25 years and have won a variety of awards for complicated and special projects, but this one was certainly the most difficult.”
The construction of the home also had to contend with a Bushfire Attack Level 40 rating for the block, after a former home at the site was destroyed by bushfires in 2015.
Mr Moyle said accessing the site and building the foundations were major hurdles to overcome, but also formed part of why the home was so special.
“There are over 1000 tonnes of concrete in the construction and that was delivered from over 100 truckloads from the concrete plant that was two hours away,” he said.
“We were on site for four months just to get it out of the ground.
“There’s about a 30m fall from end to end of the site and about 15m across the construction site.
“It’s very steep, but with that comes breathtaking, unobstructed coastal views as well as rainforest and hillside views.”
He said inside the home there was also a range of custom features, including a suspended fireplace and concrete bench tops and basins.
“The contrast between the concrete, the glass and the timber provides that natural feeling and the home is heated with hydronic heating as well as a fireplace,” he said.
The custom builder has quickly seen its level of enquiry rising in recent years after winning the HIA Victorian Home of the Year for 2023 and Mr Moyle hopes the national recognition will highlight the impressive construction being completed in regional areas.
Other award winners included M+J Builders, from the Northern Territory, who won the HIA Australian Specialised Housing for a housing development designed for high-dependant occupants.
Apprentice Oliver Burnell, from Tasmania, was named the HIA Jim Brookes Australian Apprentice of the Year for consistently exhibiting an unwavering work ethic.
Concepts by Gavin Hepper from NSW won HIA Australian Bathroom Design for a highly functional bathroom that has abundant natural light, ample storage, and privacy for a relaxing bathing experience.
North Queensland’s Liam Gilligan Builders won HIA Australian Outdoor Project for a resort-style outdoor space blending tropical living with refined Mediterranean influences.
HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin, said that the HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards celebrated the remarkable achievements of HIA members who excelled in Australia’s residential building industry.
“At HIA, we’re dedicated to giving credit where it’s due,” Ms Martin said.
“HIA Awards are our way of recognising the exceptional talent within our membership.
“We are talking about members who not only build extraordinary homes, kitchens, and bathrooms but also run incredibly successful businesses.”
She said the craftsmanship displayed by the award winners was outstanding.
“Their projects often redefine what’s possible in terms of design and innovation, setting new standards for the industry,” she said.
2024 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards winners
2024 HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year, Partnered by CSR – BCM Homes, Victoria
2024 HIA Australian Apartment of the Year, Partnered by Bondor – Bronxx, NSW
2024 HIA Australian Apartment Complex, Partnered by Daikin Australia – Bronxx, NSW
2024 HIA Jim Brookes Australian Apprentice, Partnered by Stratco – Oliver Burnell, Tasmania
2024 HIA Australian Bathroom of the Year, Partnered by Caroma, – Pichelmann Custom Building and Precise Custom Joinery, ACT/SNSW
2024 HIA Australian Bathroom Design, Partnered by Tradelink – Concepts by Gavin Hepper, NSW
2024 HIA Australian Custom Built Home, Partnered by ActronAir – BCM Homes, Victoria
2024 HIA Australian Display Home, Partnered by Clipsal by Schneider Electric – Horizon Homes, New South Wales
2024 HIA Australian Kitchen of the Year, Partnered by HIA Insurance Services, – Craig Linke Bespoke Building, South Australia
2024 HIA Australian Kitchen Design , Partnered by Robam Kitchen Appliances, – Studio Minosa, New South Wales
2024 HIA Australian Outdoor Project , Partnered by Toyota for Business – Liam Gilligan Builders, North Queensland
2024 HIA-CSR Australian People’s Choice Home, Partnered by CSR – BCM Homes, Victoria
2024 HIA Australian Project Home, Partnered by James Hardie – The Rural Building Company, Western Australia
2024 HIA Australian Professional Major Builder, Partnered by Companion Systems – AVID Developments. Queensland
2024 HIA Australian Professional Medium Builder/Renovator, Partnered by Companion Systems – St Joseph Affordable Homes, Tasmania
2024 HIA Australian Professional Small Builder/Renovator, Partnered by Companion Systems – Ultimo Constructions, Western Australia
2024 HIA Australian Renovation/Addition Project Partnered by COLORBOND® steel – Zorzi, Western Australia
2024 HIA Australian Spec Home, Partnered by Stratco – VM Building, Western Australia
2024 HIA Australian Specialised Housing, Partnered by Merlin Garage Door Openers – M+J Builders, Northern Territory
2024 HIA Australian Start-up Business, Partnered by American Express Australia – Crew Built, South Australia
2024 HIA Australian Townhouse/Villa Development, Partnered by Brickworks – DNA Architects and Bellevue Building Projects, ACT/SNSW
2024 HIA Australian Townhouse/Villa of the Year, Partnered by Sika Australia – MK Building Group, Victoria
