The Houses Awards are one of Australia's most respected peer-reviewed accolades in residential architecture. To be shortlisted in two categories for the same project reflects the depth of thinking that went into Solara from the very beginning, and we're proud to see it recognised in this way.
Set beside a sandy surf track on Bunurong Country, Solara was designed for a young family who have long called this stretch of coast home. The brief was clear: a place that felt warm, tactile and enduring. A home where family life, creativity and an active outdoor lifestyle could share space with moments of stillness. What emerged was something that tries to do all of that while treading as carefully as possible on the land it sits on.
The Sustainability shortlist speaks to the way environmental performance was woven into the architecture rather than applied as a layer over it. Solara achieves a 9.6-Star NatHERS rating through passive solar design: floor-to-ceiling double-glazed timber windows draw winter light deep into the home, where polished concrete floors and recycled brick walls absorb and store that heat, releasing it slowly through cooler nights. In summer, the same thermal mass slows heat transfer into the interior. High-performance insulation, airtight construction and carefully placed cross ventilation do the rest. The architecture does the work.
The material choices reinforce the same commitment. Recycled brick forms the curved external shell, finished using a dragged-mortar technique that gives the surface a sculptural, hand-worked quality. Warm hardwood timbers, natural stone, lime-washed plywood and aged brass and copper make up the interior palette — materials chosen as much for their sensory presence as their durability.
The New House Over 200m² shortlist recognises the home as a complete spatial proposition. The curved facade, cave-like entry and shell-inspired staircase take their forms from the surrounding dunes and coastline. Feng Shui principles oriented the kitchen at the heart of the home. Living spaces face north toward the garden. Timber batten screens balance openness to light with privacy from the adjacent coastal track. Every decision was made in conversation with the site, the climate and the way the family intended to live there.
The awards ceremony will be held in Melbourne on Friday 4 September 2026, where awards and commendations across all categories will be announced.
You can view the full 2026 shortlist at housesawards.com.au.
Explore Solara in full on our project page.
Photography by Marnie Hawson.
Hungry for more?
Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter and follow The Sociable Weaver on Instagram for design tips, inspiration, and behind the scenes of our latest builds.
Join our newsletter
