HOUSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
2025
Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards: Winners Announced for 2025
The Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards (brought to you by Unox Casa, Rylock Windows & Doors and Big Ass Fans) have been awarded in a ceremony held on 3rd April at e&s in Chadstone, VIC.
We’d like to congratulate all the winners listed below.
Small Renovation – WON BY Architect George for House in Surry Hills
The judges described House in Surry Hills as an “inventive use of space on a very tight inner-city block” that creates a sense of wonder in a hard, gritty urban environment.
Large Renovation – WON BY Glencairn by Trower Falvo Architects
One of the oldest surviving buildings in the Coburg area, Glencairn is an original bluestone residence that has been thoughtfully renovated to achieve greater connections between spaces as well as the surrounding landscape. The design interventions celebrate the character of the original residence, interweaving building, landscape and place.
Small New Home – We have two WINNERS in this category:
Atelier Chen Hung for Mapleton House
Mapleton House is an intuitive response to the suburban-rural fringe condition in the Blackall Range hinterland. Strategically recessed twin buildings establish visual connections to the prominent natural features of Mt. Ninderry and Mt. Coolum, offering passer-by uninterrupted views from the street and the adjacent public stair. The judges found the trapezium floorplan intriguing and were impressed by the connection to landscape evident in design.
Kennedy Nolan for Six-ways House
Six-Ways House takes its name from the junction in North Fitzroy where the project is located. A complete reimagining of the original 1980’s home, Six-Ways House has been designed to consider every aspect of its location to maximise comfort, natural light and connection to landscape. The judges loved how this design was both contained yet simultaneously public, as well as the use of negative space.
Large New Home – WON BY Architects Ink for Carrickalinga Shed
After purchasing a low-yield dairy farm of 55 acres, the clients behind Carrickalinga Shed camped on the site for a year. Experiencing the extreme weather and seasons, their brief called for a home with views to each peninsula and the sea, as well as a garden protected from the elements. Originally inspired by the 19th century French farmhouse, Architects Ink incorporated elements of Ancient Roman architecture with a modern Australian flair to create a home that is totally self-sustainable with a meaningful connection to its surroundings.
Interiors Specialty Category – WON BY Alcami Architecture for Terrace House Mirage
Inspired by the client’s childhood memories and cultural heritage, Terrace House Mirage blends Spanish and Arabic traditions with Australian elements, creating a rich, layered environment and transforming the space into a functional and culturally resonant home. The judges were impressed by the material selection for this project, as well as the fusion of styling.
Energy Efficiency Specialty – We have two WINNERS in this category:
Architects Ink for Carrickalinga Shed
Carrickalinga Shed is a reimagining of an Australian farmhouse that operates at 99% self-sustained efficiency, with climate and sense of place at the forefront of all design choices.
CPlusC Architects + Builders for Holocene House
Holocene House earned Australia’s first Active House certification in 2023, combining energy efficiency with user comfort. As well as the impressive credentials, the judges commended this project for its sense of joy.
People’s Choice – WON BY Archier for The Boulevard
The Boulevard takes advantage of its proximity to the beautiful Yarra Flats parklands, and is designed to nurture a family of three children as their needs evolve. The judges loved how the sunken house design allows visual connections with the Yarra and a seamless connection to nature.
The standard this year has been incredibly high and is reflective of the talent across the field of residential architecture.
We thank our Chief Judge Anthony Burke, who helped develop a robust program of considerations and recruited a panel of professionals to assist with the judging. Grand Designs Australia magazine would like to extend our thanks to both Anthony and the judging panel: Ann Lau, Hayball; Claire McCaughan, Custom Mad; and Jasmin Williamson, Wardle Studio.
The Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards proudly puts the spotlight on residential architecture. We also take the shortlisted projects and showcase them to a community of prospective future clients who want to learn who is doing what in this arena.
This year, the Showcase Shortlist activation delivered more than 2 million touchpoints to that community and received over 126,000 engagements. One of those prospective future clients was lucky enough to win a Haiku L ceiling fan donated by Big Ass Fans.
Programs like the Grand Designs Australia House of the Year come together with the considerable support of the business community that supplies the architectural industry. We are pleased to be working with our sponsors and trade partners listed below:
Gold Sponsor | Unox Casa
Silver Sponsor | Rylock Windows and Doors
Bronze Sponsor | Big Ass Fans
Trade Partners | Durra Panel, Koda Lighting, NexGEN Decking, PlaceIT
About the program
Welcome to the Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards.
The Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards are designed to celebrate brilliant outcomes created by Architects for their Clients on residential projects. The awards are judged by a panel of Architect professionals and are presented in April each year.
In addition to the main awards program, this Showcase and People’s Choice Award is designed to give members of the public access to an important resource for ideas and contacts, and our Editorial team feedback on the street appeal of projects presented visually. Enjoy!
The Grand Designs Australia House of the Year Awards has come together with the considerable support of our sponsors:
UNOX, renowned as the world’s best-selling brand of professional ovens, has now made its grand entrance into the high-end residential market through the innovative Unox Casa division. With a visionary mission to bridge the gap between top-tier culinary establishments and luxurious private homes, Unox Casa proudly presents SuperOven, available in two configurations: Model 1 and Model 1S. This pioneering smart oven marks the fusion of cutting-edge technology from the finest professional ovens with an iconic Italian design, tailored for the most refined and sought-after environments.. unoxcasa.com
Rylock Windows & Doors (Silver Sponsor)
Rylock Windows & Doors is an Australian-made-and-owned innovative leader in the design and fabrication of high-performance window and door solutions. Whether the site is urban, coastal or rural, every custom window and door combines quality, style and performance for optimal comfort throughout the home. Headquartered in Melbourne, Rylock has manufacturing facilities in Melbourne and Adelaide, while also servicing New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania. rylock.com.au
Big Ass Fans (Bronze Sponsor)
In Big Ass Fans' two decades of innovation, they've helped thousands of businesses, designers and homeowners experience powerful, energy-efficient airflow. They believe in creating comfortable environments that complement the way people live, work and enjoy life. bigassfans.com.au
