Queensland home wins HIAs highest national housing award

Winners of the 2026 HIA Australian Housing Awards, proudly partnered by CSR were unveiled before 650 industry leaders at the prestigious awards ceremony held as the final night of the HIA 2026 National Conference on the Gold Coast.

Perched on one of the Gold Coast's most exposed coastal sites, the winning five-level home transforms a challenging cliff edge into a finely tuned vertical residence. The aptly named Cloudbreak is one half of a duplex, with the home delivering the privacy and permanence of a standalone dwelling.

The home unfolds from the ground up. A basement wellness retreat and cinema are carved directly into the cliff, unexpectedly opening to hinterland views. Above, bedrooms and a master suite give way to open-plan living, before culminating in a rooftop terrace complete with pool, spa and helipad. A ribbon of glass floor panels links every level, drawing daylight deep into the core. The category is partnered by CSR.

The home also won the HIA Australian Townhouse of the Year, partnered by Ariston.

The Australian Housing Awards recognised exceptional projects by builders and designers from all around Australia, including:

Blue Eco Homes, a family-owned construction company in the NSW Blue Mountains, won HIA Australian Professional Small Builder / Renovator. With a deep commitment to ethical building practices, they've earned a strong reputation for leading the way in construction, specialising in sustainable new builds and renovations. This category is partnered by Companion Systems.

Clover Homes won HIA Australian Specialised Housing for a purpose built home that has been intentionally designed to foster independence, meaningful engagement and genuine comfort for individuals living with dementia. With a domestic scale layout, the residence provides warmth and familiarity while ensuring residents receive personalised, 24/7 support. This category is partnered by Merlin Garage Door Openers.

Craig Linke won HIA Australian Kitchen Design for a beautifully executed kitchen that blends French-inspired elegance with modern functionality. Judges praised the exceptional craftsmanship and detailing, particularly the circular island bench, which feels like a sculptural piece of furniture. This category is partnered by Smeg Australia.

Mable Projects won HIA Australian Start-up Business for its dynamic, ethical approach to delivering high-quality construction across rural and regional communities. With strong leadership, robust systems and a client first culture, the Scone based company has achieved rapid, well-managed growth grounded in purpose, innovation and continuous improvement. This category is partnered by American Express Australia.

Coastal Builders won HIA Australian Outdoor Project for a standout retreat featuring a curved pool, pool house and premium landscaping. The project blends technical precision with natural elegance, creating a luxury outdoor space that feels effortless and deeply connected to its surroundings. This category is partnered by Toyota for Business.

HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin congratulated the 2026 HIA Australian Housing Awards winners and praised their remarkable achievements.

"HIA is committed to recognising the outstanding achievements and talent amongst our members. The HIA Australian Housing Awards allow us to acknowledge winners for their skill and commitment to quality construction, design and material selection.

"The winning projects redefine what's possible in terms of innovation; they're setting new benchmarks for the industry.

"It's not only outstanding homes we've recognised tonight; we've also acknowledged remarkable members who are excelling in business management in our Professional Builder Awards, along with our Emerging Builder from Western Australia and our exceptional apprentices.

"It is my absolute pleasure to congratulate each winner for their commitment to excellence," Ms Martin concluded.

The HIA Australian Housing Awards are the ultimate platform to showcase the talents of the nation's top builders and designers. Winners are selected from state-based finalists, with awards in 24 separate categories. The Awards are partnered by leading building products company CSR.

View all award winners