Proudly sponsored by Deco, this category showcases entries that blend innovation, environmental responsibility, and visionary solutions.

Shortlisted entries

This year’s shortlist for Single Dwelling - Alteration/Addition features an inspiring lineup of projects:

• Hillary by Envirotecture

Hillary speaks of the trust already developed between client and architect.jpg — This project showcases the art deco character and family history that came with the original house plus a new extension with a beautifully workable floor plan and gorgeous connection to the garden.

• Rifle Range Retrofit by Carland Constructions

On Rifle Range Retrofit the architects turned this house into a home.jpg — The client wanted something that would be a safe haven for their children, providing them with a place that they knew would be healthy and comfortable.

• Live Lightly Haus by Envirotecture

Live Lightly Haus is the renovation that defied expectations.jpg — The dilapidated timber cottage was relocated onto this large rural property many years ago with little regard to orientation and the demanding extremes of climate in this inland region.

• Subtle Shift by Steffen Welsch Architects

Subtle Shift transformed an inefficient suburban house into a functional, comfortable and energysmart affordable home.jpg — The biggest challenge was to stay within the existing physical footprint, negotiate the level changes, and ensure that the build fulfills the project brief once the project is handed over.

• Cake House by Alexander Symes Architects

Affectionately known as Cake House by local surfers the project celebrates the existing shape and prioritises resource efficiency.jpg — The merging of passive house modelling and passive solar design allowed to create a high performance home that can operate in a mixed mode scenario and focuses on a coastal Australian climate using local recycled materials.

• Bungendore Cottage by Cooee Architecture

This is restoration retrofit and small extension of a cottage in Bungendore.jpg — The works take the project from 0 stars EER to 6.7 stars, representing an 84% predicted reduction in heating and cooling loads.

These projects exemplify excellence in Single Dwelling - Alteration/Addition, recognising excellence in extensions and/or alterations to at least 50 per cent of a Class 1a building.

We thank Deco for their support of the Single Dwelling - Alteration/Addition category.

“Deco champions sustainable solutions that balance performance, beauty, and environmental responsibility," says Emma Savage from Deco.

"Supporting the Sustainability Summit and this award category celebrates those who share our vision for a better-built future."

Now in its 19th year, the Sustainability Awards is Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious program celebrating excellence in sustainable design and architecture. On 19 November 2025, winners across 18 categories will be announced at the five-star Gala Evening at Sydney Town Hall.

The same day, the Sustainability Summit at The Fullerton Hotel, Sydney, and streamed online, offers a day-long CPD program led by industry experts to educate and inspire the Australian architecture and design community. Tickets for the Summit are available now. To enquire about limited tickets to the Gala Evening, email info@sustainablebuildingawards.com.au.

Image: Cake House by Alexander Symes

Clémence Carayol

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