A HIGHLANDS home has attracted statewide attention.
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Wingello House has been nominated for the Residential Architecture- Affordable Housing (under $350,000) award at the Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW Country Division Awards.
The house in Wingello was designed by Ian Sercombe Architect.
Mr Sercombe said the idea behind the project was to design an affordable, energy efficient home.
Wingello House is constructed of rammed earth, hardwood, double glazed timber framed windows and corrugated iron.
“These materials are part of the local vernacular, giving the building a sense of place,” Mr Sercombe said.
“The commitment to passive solar design and natural materials really connects the home’s occupants to the site.”
Mr Sercombe said his favourite feature of the house was the “massive” rammed earth walls that frame the study, mud room and kitchen spaces.
“Having a hot house to the north is also special- growing food and using the heat to warm the house in winter.”
The house will be one of 19 projects up for an award across seven categories.
Also in the same category as Wingello House is Broken Head Studio designed by Harley Graham Architects.
Mr Sercombe said he had no idea if his project would win.
“There are always so many cool houses entered in these awards I would never be able to guess how it will go,” he said.
“It will depend on what the judges are looking for this year. The house is quite alternative but I feel it’s the way of the future, particularly how it integrates with growing food and how genuinely energy efficient it is.”
Winners will be decided by a panel of judges and announced at the NSW Country Division’s annual conference on September 29.
This will be the 52nd year the awards have run and NSW Country Division chair Sarah Aldridge said the awards were an important way to showcase outstanding architecture outside the main city and metropolitan centres.
“Regional, rural and remote Australia is home to some of the best projects the architectural profession has to offer,” she said.
“Australia’s unique landscapes offer both challenges and opportunities to apply leading-practice architectural design.
“Here in the country there is a sharp focus on sustainability, amenity with the local environment and the very real benefits good architecture brings to the community.”
There will also be a People’s Choice Award where people can vote for their local or favourite project.
Go to https://nationalarchitecture.awardsplatform.com/entry/vote/bpQXvPkY to vote. Voting will close at 5pm on September 22.
