红山屋与工作室丨澳大利亚布里斯班丨Zuzana and Nicholas

The 2024 Houses Awards dropped last week, and—unsurprisingly—this year’s crop of winning projects is nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the crème de la crème of Australian residential architecture. From a Brisbane worker’s cottage turned home-office marvel to a South Australian homestead that’ll make you want to pack your bags and move to the countryside, these projects are redefining what it means to call a place home in 2024.

The standout star of the show? Red Hill House and Studio by Zuzana and Nicholas, snagging the coveted Australian House of the Year title. This Brisbane beauty proves that work-from-home doesn’t have to mean sacrificing space or style. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

What’s particularly exciting this year is the focus on sustainability, adaptive reuse, and creating homes that truly respond to our changing lifestyles. We’re seeing architects tackle everything from bushfire-prone sites to inner-city heritage contexts with ingenuity and flair. It’s clear that Australian residential architecture is not just keeping up with the times—it’s setting the pace.

Red Hill House by Zuzana & Nicholas. Photography: Clinton Weaver. Red Hill House and Studio by Zuzana & Nicholas (QLD) Hold onto your hats, because Red Hill House and Studio is about to blow you away! This Brisbane gem has taken the crown as Australian House of the Year, and for good reason. Imagine a worker’s cottage that’s had a glow-up of epic proportions, all while keeping its original footprint. The architects (who also happen to be the lucky owners) have created a masterclass in balancing work and family life under one roof. What sets this house apart is its clever use of space. Instead of going for the typical open-plan layout, they’ve preserved the intimate scale of the existing rooms, adding strategic openings for connection and supervision. But the real showstopper? A multi-functional room that’s open to both the garden and the street, blurring the lines between private and public spaces. It’s currently used as their architecture studio, but it could easily transform into a cozy living area.

Tomich House by Mark Jeavons Architect with Ohlo Studio. Photography: Jack Lovel.

Tomich House by Mark Jeavons Architect with Ohlo Studio (WA)

A joint winner in the House in a Heritage Context category, Tomich House serves as an example of how to breathe new life into a significant piece of architectural history.

So, what’s the story here? Tomich House is a distinctive 1971 design by Bulgarian émigré architect Iwan Iwanoff that had fallen into disrepair. Mark Jeavons Architect and Ohlo Studio had the unenviable task of bringing this unique home back to its former glory.

What’s so impressive about this renovation is the clear, three-part strategy: restore the 1971 structure, adapt the interiors, and reorganize the 1986 rear extension to better unite it with the original. It’s like architectural surgery, performed with the steadiest of hands.

The jury was particularly enthused by the serene interiors that manage to calm the dynamism of Iwanoff’s original volumes. New cabinetry on the ground floor better articulates the use of space as originally designed, while the first floor offers a more thorough reorganization to connect disparate parts of the house.

But perhaps the most exciting thing about Tomich House is how it proves that heritage doesn’t have to mean stuffy or outdated. This project delivers an architectural delight that’s both true to its roots and thoroughly modern.

Redfern House by Anthony Gill Architects with Sasha Coles. Photography: Clinton Weaver.

Redfern House by Anthony Gill Architects with Sacha Coles (NSW)

Redfern House redefines what we think of as a garden in an inner-city terrace. Anthony Gill Architects and Sacha Coles have created a green oasis that’s as much a part of the home as the walls and roof, taking out the Garden or Landscape Award.

Redfern House is all about the holistic approach to design. This project doesn’t just tack on a bit of greenery as an afterthought—it integrates the garden into every aspect of the home. From the street-facing garden that blurs the line between public and private, to the rooftop garden that connects to a shaded courtyard, this house is practically bursting with life.

But it’s not just about looking pretty. The landscape design at Redfern House is working overtime to support a diverse habitat, manage water use, and create comfortable living spaces.

Arcadia by Plus Minus Design. Photography: Clinton Weaver.

Arcadia by Plus Minus Design (NSW)

Arcadia was one of the joint winners in the House Alteration and Addition over 200 sqm category. Plus Minus Design has taken the concept of ‘alterations and additions’ and elevated it to an art form.

Arcadia is all about the details. The street-front portion of the design pays homage to the original house in the most delightful ways—think joinery modules that echo the proportions of existing doors, and John Soane-esque moments where shelving intersects with columns and secret stairs. It’s a bit like an architectural treasure hunt.

The semi-external dining/multipurpose room links the public laneway with the home’s contemplative courtyard. It’s a space that blurs the lines between inside and outside, private and public. The courtyard, with its rock and water features brings the drama of changing weather right into the heart of the home.

Blue Mountains House by Anthony Gill Architect. Photography: Clinton Weaver.

Blue Mountains House by Anthony Gill Architects (NSW)

Buckle up, folks, because Blue Mountains House is about to take you on a wild ride through the Australian landscape. Anthony Gill Architects have pulled off a feat of architectural magic with Blue Mountains House, a joint winner in the House Alteration and Addition over 200 sqm category.

This sensitive renovation and extension perched on a complicated ecological site in the Blue Mountains project consists of two buildings. The extension is like a contemporary riff on the existing Pettit and Sevitt house, creating a minimalist courtyard that’s protected from the street and climatic variables. The roof of the extension can be climbed to access those jaw-dropping Blue Mountains views as an added bonus.

What’s really impressive about this project is how it tackles the challenges of building in a bushfire-prone area. Instead of demolishing the existing house, the architects have found a way to upgrade it subtly, ensuring its survival for years to come. The robust concrete and blockwork of the extension not only expand on the brick materiality of the existing house but also allow the building to recede into its stunning natural setting.

The jury was blown away by how Blue Mountains House celebrates the landscape without being a slave to the view. It’s a home that reminds you of your place in the world, connecting you to the ridgelines of the mountainous setting at every turn.

Shed House by Breakspear Architects. Photography: Tom Ferguson.

Shed House by Breakspear Architects (NSW)

Taking out the New House over 200 sqm award, Shed House with make us all rethink our relationship with the humble Aussie shed. Breakspear Architects have taken this quintessential Australian structure and turned it into a flexible, fabulous family home that’s as practical as it is stylish.

What’s so great about Shed House? For starters, it’s a brilliant example of how to combine living and working spaces without sacrificing either. The ground floor is like a blank canvas, with minimal walls and a central courtyard that allows for all sorts of configurations. Upstairs, you’ve got your more traditional living spaces, but even these are designed with flexibility in mind.

But here’s the kicker—in a time when building costs are through the roof, Shed House embraces standard materials and fabrication methods. That corrugated steel facade? It’s not just a nod to our shed heritage; it’s also a savvy economic choice. And those big, retractable doors at the front and back? They’re not just for show—they create a permeable plan that connects the house to its surroundings.

The jury loved how this house achieves so much with so little. It’s a model for suburban living that’s adaptable, affordable, and undeniably Australian. Shed House proves that sometimes, the most innovative designs come from the most familiar places.

Courtyard House by Clare Cousins Architects. Photography: Tom Ross.

Courtyard House by Clare Cousins Architects (VIC)

Clare Cousins Architects have taken a former milk bar and transformed it into a cozy home that’s bursting with character and charm, snagging it the award for New House under 200 sqm.

What’s so special about this little beauty? For starters, it’s a masterclass in working with heritage constraints. Instead of fighting against the building’s history, the architects have embraced it, creating a home that feels both fresh and familiar. The use of a courtyard is genius—it provides privacy from the busy street while still allowing snippets of greenery to peek out and delight passersby.

But the real magic of Courtyard House lies in its subtlety. It doesn’t scream for attention; instead, it settles comfortably into its neighbourhood, as if it’s always been there.

Courtyard House is proof that good things really do come in small packages. It’s a celebration of inner-suburban living that manages to be both quiet and joyful at the same time.

Carrickalinga Shed by Architects Ink. Photography: Corey Roberts.

Carrickalinga Shed by Architects Ink (SA)

The winner of the Sustainability Award, Carrickalinga Shed by Architects is a manifesto for how we can live in harmony with our environment.

This home is set on a hilltop site in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, with expansive views but also extreme exposure to the elements. Most architects would see this as a challenge, but Architects Ink saw it as an opportunity to create a resilient, sustainable home that works with nature, not against it.

The form of Carrickalinga Shed is reminiscent of a fortified Roman courtyard villa (fancy!), but don’t let that fool you—this house is thoroughly modern in its approach to sustainability. The internal courtyard is a stroke of genius, acting as a biophilic design strategy that achieves environmental protection, thermal and lighting control, and enhanced spatial qualities.

House in Surry Hills by Architect George. Photography: Martin Siegner.

Emerging Architecture Practice: Architect George (NSW)

Joint Winner of the Emerging Architecture Practice, Architect George, established in 2021 by Dean Williams, has burst onto the scene with a portfolio of residential work that’s as playful as it is impressive.

This young practice has a knack for tackling complex existing conditions with a mix of skill and unbridled enthusiasm. Whether it’s a tight-knit heritage terrace in Surry Hills, a nostalgic 1970s apartment refit, or an unpretentious “shack” in Tasmania, these folks know how to work their magic.

With so much already achieved in just a few short years, imagine what the future holds. These kids are definitely going places.

Stewart by SSdH. Photography: Pier Carthew.

Emerging Architecture Practice: SSdH (VIC)

Last but certainly not least, let’s give it up for SSdH—the other joint winner in the Emerging Architecture Practice category. Established in 2020 by Todd de Hoog, Harrison Smart and Jean-Marie Spencer, this practice is bringing a fresh perspective to Australian architecture.

SSdH has a deep respect for existing built fabric, no matter how “ordinary” it might seem. These folks are on a mission to champion undervalued building stock, proving that with a bit of architectural TLC, even the most humble structure can be transformed into something extraordinary.

SSdH is proof that the future of Australian architecture is in good hands. With their cultural depth, mature sensibility, and questioning approach, we can’t wait to see what they’ll do next. SSdH is proof that the future of Australian architecture is in good hands.

[Images courtesy of Houses Awards.]