HOUSING industry members from all over Australia converged on the Burswood Conference Centre last week for the fourth annual Housing Industry Association GreenSmart Awards.
HIA GreenSmart awards recognise the environmental achievements of Australia’s building industry, from small niche building companies right through to large-scale estate developers and product manufacturers.
Despite having two local finalists – The Westbury Company and Edwards Hot Water – in the running for two of the nine national awards, eastern States companies came out on top.
Queensland company Mckenzie Building won the building of the year award for the water and energy-saving devices and photovoltaic panels, with green power fed back to the grid, at its Sustainable Design Studio at Brookwater Housing Estate.
Energy Architecture from South Australia won the renovation of the year award with its transformation of a 1970s spec home with poor environmentally performing design into a well-orientated, cost-effective renovation. Strategies used were thermal mass, insulation, double-glazing, ventilation and shading to achieve greater energy efficiency and comfort for the owners.
An innovative tilt concrete construction system, used to deliver highly effective thermal mass for the climate, with a photovoltaic system and automatic petrol generator for backup power and grey water system won Strine Homes/Strine Design from New South Wales the energy efficiency award.
Delfin Lend Lease from Queensland won the design concept award for its development of environmentally sensitive practices from the overall site management right through to design of the individual homes.
A Mirvac Transfield joint venture for Pier Apartments Walsh Bay, NSW, a 140-apartment development that uses seawater for cooling, won the smart housing award.
