Regional Western Australia is set to benefit from more affordable, climate responsive housing options through a LandCorp initiative which encourages builders and architects to collaborate and design new homes for specific climate zones.
On 1 October, Lands minister, Brendon Grylls announced the winners of the LandCorp Regional Environmental Affordable Living (REAL) Challenge, which was held to find innovative solutions to housing affordability and climate responsive design.
"Entrants were required to design a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that could be sold within a set affordability range, but also met sustainability and design criteria such as a minimum six-star energy efficiency rating, required minimal mechanical heating and cooling, and which capitalised on local cooling breezes and natural ventilation," Grylls says.
The winning entries are:
- Pilbara - the Oasis design entered by Copraxis Architects and Samson Homes
- Kimberley - the K1 design entered by SIA Architects and Northern Aspect Construction
- South West - the Wing House design, which was also entered by Copraxis Architects and Samson Homes
All shortlisted finalists received cheques for $15,000.
The winners of the People's Choice Award for each region will each receive a further $20,000 to assist with the cost of obtaining development approvals for construction of the home.
LandCorp will be providing a block of land in Baynton West, Karratha (Lakeside Park), Kununurra and Buckingham Way (Collie) to the respective winners who will then be required to build their winning design and open it for public display.
