A SUSTAINABLE house in Wingello has won big at the Australian Institute of Architects awards.

Architect Ian Sercombe designed the Wingello House, and took out the top prize for the Residential Architecture – Affordable Housing (under $350,000) category.

Mr Sercombe said he was very flattered to have received the award.

“It’s the first time I’ve entered, so it was a very nice surprise,” he said.

The aim of the Wingello project was to create an affordable, energy-efficient family home.

Mr Sercombe said he hoped winning the prize would show prospective home-builders that “beautiful homes” were possible on a modest budget.

“Many people figure homes come out of a catalogue, but it can be so enriching for the soul to help design your home,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get great architecture out there and show it’s affordable to have a house that inspires you.”

Mr Sercombe suggested home-builders shop around and ask for quotes from a number of builders to receive the best deal.

“If you can cut out the middle man and source materials yourself, that can also help,” he said.

“Design also helps cut costs, during the build and after, such as having an efficient design that doesn’t waste floor space and the right orientation for sunlight and warmth.”

The Wingello House has a passive solar design and a hot house to the north to grow food and to further heat the house in winter. 

The judges at the awards said the “sensitive design” showed what could be achieved on a tight budget.

“A strong connection to place, thoughtful material choices and efficient yet generous planning. Earthen walls support an archetypical shed roof, anchoring the building to site and giving it a sense of belonging and connection with the ground,” they said. 

They provide thermal mass and impart an air of generosity and elegance to the living spaces. This project is exemplary in its ambition to unite environmental performance, site-specific design, generous planning and affordable construction.”

NSW Chapter president Shaun Carter congratulated the award winners, and said people’s understanding and appreciation of what benefits great design could bring to country areas was increasing.

“Living outside a metropolitan centre doesn’t mean settling for second-class design,” he said.

“With technological innovation and infrastructure improvements, communities in country areas have greater access to the good architects and good architecture than ever before.”

Mr Sercombe won two other prizes on the night with his Surf Coast House on the NSW mid-north coast. The house won the Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) award, as well as tying for first place in the People’s Choice Awards.