This second iteration of HOTY was pared down slightly from the inaugural version in 2018 – from 25 to 20 houses, which meant that each of the selected houses could be given more space and every project could appear in the print edition of Habitus. We were also able to include houses from India which helped to ensure that the selection was truly representative of the Indo-Pacific region.
The final list of twenty followed a painstaking search throughout the Region for quality projects which would reflect the mission of Habitus. We were looking for houses which were of their place, houses which truly responded to the culture, history and climate of their place. We were looking for authenticity, not pastiche. And we certainly didn’t want just examples of international style, houses which could be anywhere in the world. We were looking for houses with character and houses to be truly lived in.
This formed the brief to our brilliant panel of judges. The number of houses may have been pared down, but the judging panel was actually expanded to include not just Howard Tanner, Neil Burley, Karen McCartney, Tom Fisher (from Zip Water), and Victoria Shaw (from StylecradtHOME) as per last year, but also Shelley Penn, David Clark and Rob Warner (from Gaggenau).
Judging was a very consensual process – and a very enjoyable one over coffee and morning tea, and finally lunch, at StylecraftHOME’s Melbourne showroom. True to the brief, the House of the Year turned out to be a highly imaginative holiday cottage, Bivvy House, nestled in a typically gorgeous New Zealand mountain landscape. The other award winners and two commendations were equally thoughtful, unique, and rich in character.
Like Habitus itself, this special annual issue of Habitus aims to draw the architecture and design community of our region together and to share ideas, looking to enrich our way of life through a quality built environment.
HOTY will be back next year with an even more comprehensive selection from our Region of the very best in residential architecture, interior and landscape design – delivering a rich menu of fresh ideas for architects and their clients as to how to live well in your place.
Paul McGillick
Consulting Editor, Habitus
Habitus House Of The Year wouldn’t exist without the support of our friends, colleagues and regular collaborators in the industry. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our Major Partners Gaggenau, StylecraftHOME and Zip | our Supporting Partners Armadillo & Co and Earp Bros | our Design Hunter Partners Armadillo & Co, Boyd Blue, Earp Bros, Euroluce, Hale Mercantile Co, Nique, Premium Sound, Phoenix Tapware, Project 82, Studio Gallery Melbourne and Tsar Carpets | our Trophy Partner Axolotl | and our Accommodation Partner Ovolo Laneways.
