A whose-who of industry decision-makers, sustainability leaders and construction innovators gathered in Hobart on Friday, discussing the challenges and solutions to improving the carbon footprint of Australia’s housing industry.
The HIA Future Homes Forum is the nation’s annual housing sustainability conference, bringing the sector together to inspire a greener future for Aussie homes.
Hosted by Gardening Australia star and Logie award-winner Costa Georgiadis, the day is designed to inspire a more sustainable, energy-efficient future for the home-building industry with a range of eco-friendly topics discussed.
The meeting takes place as the government faces the challenge of balancing its goal to build 1.2 million new homes by 2030 with the nation’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A set of targets likely to prove difficult to achieve simultaneously, as progress on one can hinder the other.
Tasmania State Premier Jeremy Rockliff telling Build-it that Tasmania is upping the pace of home construction by reducing red tape and relying on new sustainability-focused technologies.
“Planning is the key to getting the housing stock we need to deliver,” he said.
“It’s all about making it easier to get planning and building approvals to ensure construction starts faster.”
The meeting was followed by the nation’s premier housing sustainability honours, the Australia GreenSmart Awards, recognising our country’s best in green home construction.
What are the Australian GreenSmart Awards?
The HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards recognise the best in sustainable housing, with award winners and finalists making a positive difference to the environment by building more energy-efficient and comfortable homes.
HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin told Build-it that the awards recognised HIA members who deliver the latest in environmental design excellence and sustainable building practices.
“HIA is committed to sustainable building outcomes through environmentally focused design, innovation and construction,” she said.
“Our commitment to recognise excellence has not altered over the twenty-four years the HIA GreenSmart program has been running. The winners and finalists are at the cutting edge in their field and demonstrate expertise in building superior-performing, energy-saving homes for their clients.”
It was Oska’s house, located in central Canberra, which walked away with the top gong of the day, picking up the 2024 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home as well as the HIA Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home Award.
Constructed by ACT-based 360 Building Solutions and Light House ArchiScience, the home focuses on doing the basics with brilliance, showcasing what quality design, detailing, and construction can accomplish through their functional floor plan, solar passive principles and NatHERS energy modelling.
Light House ArchiScience thanked both construction teams via social media and said they were “honoured” to pick up the prestigious prizes.
