- Tallwood Constructions took home the top gong for the South West.
- Rural Building Company won the top award for the Great Southern.
- Norcape Building was best in class for the Mid West.
The finest homes across Western Australia’s South West, Great Southern, and Mid West regions have been recognised at the 2023 Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) Regional Western Australian Housing Awards.
All builders were commended by HIA WA executive director, Michael McGowan, for their dedication and commitment to producing high-quality homes and workmanship during a difficult period for the industry.
“I am continually impressed with the beautiful workmanship in regional projects,” said McGowan.
“Builders in regional areas continue to face acute workforce shortages, with some trades desperately low in numbers; they face material availability and cost impacts and yet they quietly continue to apply their craft with love and skill to deliver outstanding homes for their clients.”
Michael McGowan, HIA
South West Home of the Year
The top gong for the South West went to Dunsborough builder, Tallwood Constructions.
Located on a remote and exposed site in Yallingup, the interior of the winning home exudes natural beauty, courtesy of rammed limestone walls using stone from the site. It also employs a symphony of weathered timber, a huge cantilevered ceiling, and expansive double-glazed windows. The home is a restrained yet refined statement of elegance while remaining a relaxed, casual, and comfortable holiday home.
“The judges commended the build quality, level of detailing and finish achieved by Tallwood Construction as exceptional, especially given the demanding site and complexity of the construction,” said McGowan.
“Additionally, the home can be run as a complete off-grid solution with rainwater harvesting for potable water and firefighting, PV power and battery storage, with all elements executed seamlessly and without any restrictions on the use or aesthetic of the home.”
Other notable results in the South West included Holst Design & Build winning Innovation in Housing of the Year for their off-grid home in Wilyabrup; 33 South Building Group and designButton for the GreenSmart Home of the Year in Yallingup; and White Building Co. for Affordable Home of the Year in South Bunbury.
Great Southern Home of the Year
Rural Building Company were behind the award-winning home in Hay.
The spacious home features a huge kitchen and scullery in a well-considered design that creates the perfect cook’s kitchen. Unique to the client’s wishes is also an expansive sewing room providing multiple work areas and storage to suit requirements.
“Judges were particularly impressed by the attention to detail throughout the entire building, with beautifully finished brickwork, excellent paint finish, and a finely detailed exposed veranda. Overall, the well-zoned and practical floor plan, combined with a luxurious and warm atmosphere creates a beautifully finished country home,” said McGowan.
Plunkett Homes were also notable winners in the Great Southern, awarded both Lightweight Housing of the Year and Custom Built Home of the Year with their Lower King home. Home Group WA won Affordable Housing of the Year for their home in Yakamia.
Mid West Home of the Year
Norcape Building took home the accolade for its striking steel-clad home in Exmouth.
Designed and constructed perfectly for Exmouth living, the home provides ocean views from the upper floor while the garage below features additional space and clearance zones to accommodate the required fishing boat.
“The judges were impressed with the innovative design which provides for flexible future use, catering for families, intergenerational living, separate ancillary accommodation or rental, or holiday home use,” said McGowan.
“The home has been built with great attention to detail with polished concrete floors, well-finished custom cabinetry, and finely detailed finishing of the exterior cladding and flashing.
“The required cyclonic specifications add to the complexity of building such a well-presented home in a remote region, and this home has been delivered seamlessly,” said McGowan.
Other impressive winners in the Mid West included Connolly Building’s Deepdale home awarded Lightweight Housing of the Year; Evoke Living’s Jurien Bay home was awarded Modular and Prefabricated Housing of the Year, and WA Country Builders won Project Home of the Year with an impressive home in Bowes.
