And the winner is…

The winners of the 2012 Houses Awards were announced at a gala presentation held last night at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.

The winner of the 2012 Australian House of the year was among our favourite finalists from the Awards which we have showcased on Designhunter over the last few weeks and is the Shearers Quarters pictured above, which also won the New House under 200 square metres category – see more photos here.

The jury said this of the winner: “This is an ambitious house that compels us to reflect on the inherent beauty of living. Set within a historic farming property in Tasmania, it is both a working farm building and a place of retreat. While this might seem like a contradictory pattern of day-to-day inhabitation, here it has been effortlessly reconciled. This deft touch has created a house that is an exemplar for contemporary residential architecture, simultaneously functional and beautiful. It is also a model for modest, small-footprint, environmentally responsive houses. The form of the rudimentary shed is the vehicle for an inquisitive exploration of detail, form and context. Sited in a complex of buildings, but self-contained, its relationship to the existing 1840s cottage is in the farm tradition of small clusters of buildings, outbuildings and sheds. This apparently simple house has an effortless relationship to the built, cultivated and natural landscape. The material expression has a farm-sense quality, and draws heavily on recycled timber and convict-era handmade bricks. This is a finely tuned and beautifully synthesized building that is a reminder of the essential systems and patterns of domestic life.”

The Marimekko house won the outdoor category. Many of our favourite finalists received high commendations:

New House over 200m2

Cliff Face House (NSW) by Fergus Scott Architects and Peter Stutchbury Architecture.

Marimekko House (WA) by Ariane Prevost Architect.

New House under 200m2

Pirates Bay House (Vic) by O’Connor and Houle Architecture.

House Alteration and Addition over 200m2

Smith Residence (NSW) by David Boyle Architect.

Sustainability

Jack & Jill House (Vic) by Breathe Architecture.

Congratulations to all the winners!