The 2012 GreenSmart Home of the Year has been awarded to Clarendon Homes NSW and Landcom for the Net Zero Emissions Home.

The Housing Industry Assiciation (HIA) GreenSmart Awards recognise HIA members who build or design environmentally-friendly homes, find solutions to water and resource efficiency or create new products for the building industry.

The awards were presented in Sydney on Thursday 6 September.

The jury said, “The Net Zero Emissions Home embodies GreenSmart principles and is a true example of a sustainable dwelling. The home generates zero emissions, leaving no impact in the environment.

"Thorough research and implementation of water and energy saving options has produced a home that exceeds expectations in comfort and efficiency.”

Image courtesy Clarendon Homes NSW and Landcom .

The project also won the Display Home category at the awards.

Image courtesy Clarendon Homes NSW and Landcom 

Other winners included Econstruct, in the Custom Built Home category (pictured below).

Image courtesy Econstruct.

The 8-star rated home has rammed earth walls and polished concrete floors to provide great thermal mass. A comfortable living environment is maintained without requiring an air-conditioning system.

The Spec Home award went to Splice Projects for their prefabricated passive solar home.

Image courtesy Splice Projects.

Specifically, the windows were chosen for their thermally broken, aluminium framed glazing with low e glass. The windows prevent ambient heat gain in summer, but allow solar gain in winter, minimising unwanted heat transfer.

The winning Renovation/Addition Project was ‘your abode’, which transformed a dark, cold living area into a liveable, light and inspiring space.

Image courtesy 'your abode'.

“Opening the space to the North provides ample natural light and passive solar gain. Hydronic heating, compact fluorescent light fittings, ceiling fans, rainwater tanks and low or zero VOC products contribute to a comfortable living environment.

The Townhouse/Villa Development prize went to Cedar Woods Properties Limited and City of Wanneroo.

Image courtesy Cedar Woods Properties Limited and City of Wanneroo.