In a bold step toward shaping the future of residential building, the WoodSolutions Resilient Timber Homes Design Competition is proud to announce the competition winners.
The core objective of this innovative competition was to boost the concept of resilience in home design, showcasing the potential of a "Code+" strategy aimed at providing better safety and wellness for building occupants, as well as increased value for investors and the whole community, across Australia.
Competition entrants tackled two distinct briefs, each based on modifying an existing design to be used as a benchmark, and presenting a challenge that pushed the boundaries of current practices:
- Brief A asked to sustain a slow-moving riverine flood lasting for 1 week and reaching a height of 1m, while exhibiting minor damage and easy recovery.
- Brief B requested to resist a Severe Tropical Cyclone (Category 5), followed by a riverine flood like in Brief A, with minor damage and easy recovery.
A standout feature of the competition lied in its holistic approach to resilience, as part of the broader sustainability of the built environment that achieves Triple Bottom Line results, optimising for people, planet and prosperity.
Entries were evaluated against key performance requirements, cost premium offset, carbon footprint, practicality of construction and other criteria chosen by a distinguished jury composed of Dylan Brady (Chair, VIC), Julie Ann Canal (WA), Peter Wood (QLD), Heath Mitchell (SA), Marissa Wathen (QLD), Simone Schenkel (VIC), Andrew Dunn (NSW), Simon Butt (ACT) and Eileen Newbury (VIC).
This panel of outstanding experts had the challenging task of identifying the most inspired, practical and transformative designs that aligned with the competition's objectives.
The stakes were high, with a prize of AUD 50,000 up for grabs for each of the two winners.
After detailed review and purposeful deliberation, the jury landed on a unanimous outcome:
Brief A Winner - Chris Gilbert
Commercially grounded yet ambitious design, featuring a flood-reversible solution that integrates prefabricated open wall cassettes with drainage plugs and airtight features, within a modular DfMA scheme that will support fast-track delivery. The suggested use of blower door equipment to accelerate drying is both ingenious and reasonable.
Brief B Winner - Michael Croft
Achieves robustness to cyclone impacts through a “flexible room” which is well positioned and integrated with the floorplan. Thoughtful positioning of the electrical infrastructure, alternative floor design to cater for regional adaptability, accurate costing and rational use of Passive House criteria, all contribute to a thorough grasp of content and brief.
Based on the overall good quality of the entries, and the jury’s analyses and feedback, WoodSolutions also issued two special commendations to:
Brief A Special Commendation – Lee Yang Yang, Amanda Lau, and Edmund Limadinata
Elegant design with practical solutions for flood resilience like strong cross ventilation, removable finishes and durable materials.
Brief B Special Commendation – Emily and Jane Arnolda
Simple, clever features such as the round corners, the water height marker and the lifting beds will build better resilience not only into the house, but also within the family who lives in it.
The Competition’s winning designs will be presented by their authors on 12 September following the Timber Offsite Conference.
The journey of these projects does not necessarily end with the competition. The Resilient Timber Homes program's research partners were the Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia and OneFortyOne. They each retain the right to commission the winners to develop full construction drawings and accompanying reports to build these homes and ensure that the groundbreaking designs will make a lasting impact on the way Australian timber homes are conceptualized and built.
WoodSolutions extends special thanks to the Resilient Timber Homes program partners who have supported this competition with their funding, knowledge and dedication as well as the judges and advisors, for their invaluable contribution and diligence.
In a world where climate change and sustainability are paramount, the WoodSolutions Resilient Timber Homes Design Competition has inspired innovation. It offers a platform for design excellence to resonate through better homes, prosperous investments and a brighter future for communities which is a pivotal step toward shaping a more sustainable and resilient Australia.