A house built to cope with Queensland’s climate has been named Australian Home of the Year for 2025.
The kitchen at Blackwood, which has been crowned Australian Home of the Year by the HIA. Image: HIA/Sarah Waller Building
From the architectural firm Sarah Waller Building, the brand-new build dubbed “Blackwood” has been turning heads ever since its completion.
Blackwood has just been crowned Australian Home of the Year by the Housing Industry Association (HIA), but while that’s perhaps the biggest feather in its cap so far, it's not the first. The home has picked up more than a dozen awards so far at both the Queensland and regional Sunshine Coast HIA awards.
A 21-metre pool can be viewed from many of the living spaces at Blackwood. Image: HIA/Sarah Waller Building
At the national ceremony, which recognises excellence in the new home building industry, Sarah Waller Building received not only the top award, but also the gong for best custom-built home.
The Sunshine Coast-based architect benefits from this house in more ways than just awards. Not only has it delivered her a high level of acclaim, but Ms Waller also gets to live in this impressive construction – it's the family home she’s built for herself in the Noosa hinterland suburb of Doonan.
Defined by a modern exterior made of concrete and black timber cladding, the home was described by the judges as a marriage between "bold architectural design and functional living".
Black timber cladding and concrete dominate the exterior. Image: HIA/Sarah Waller Building
The pavilion-style home is set across subtle cascading levels on a sprawling 1.9 acre lot. Indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly here, with multiple alfresco areas and huge windows, sliding doors, and glass louvers that allow natural light and airflow, while framing the surrounding subtropical environment.
A 21-metre backyard pool with concrete built-in lounges offers the perfect place to cool off from the Queensland heat.
Importantly for Ms Waller, this home has been designed to incorporate multi-generational living, with a fully self-contained studio on the block as well.
The home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Image: HIA/Sarah Waller Building
A monochromatic colour scheme dominates inside too, with a black kitchen, white stone, and more concrete for thermal mass to help regulate the home’s temperature.
All together it encompasses five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a powder room and a five-car garage.
Blackwood sits on a 1.9 acre block in the suburb of Doonan. Image: HIA/Sarah Waller Building
HIA managing director Jocelyn Martin congratulated Ms Waller and the other winners across the 25 categories, stating that to have taken home an award at the 17 May event meant that one must be “at the pinnacle of residential building”.
“The winning projects redefine what's possible in terms of design and innovation, setting new standards for the industry,” Ms Martin said.
Interested in learning more about home building in Australia? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
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