NSW builder’s 16th national sustainable award caps four decades of green construction excellence
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A NSW builder has cemented his place as one of Australia’s most decorated sustainable construction professionals, winning his sixth HIA Australian GreenSmart Professional title at the 2026 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards in Melbourne on 22 July.
Blue Eco Homes’ Joe Mercieca was named the 2026 HIA Australian GreenSmart Professional, a national honour that adds to the company’s remarkable tally of 16 HIA Australian GreenSmart Award wins since the program began. The GreenSmart Professional award is partnered by HIA Insurance Services.
With more than 40 years in the construction industry, Mercieca has built a reputation as a leader in high-performance residential building through his work with Blue Eco Homes. Driven by a belief that environmental performance should be measured rather than assumed, he champions a fabric-first approach that combines Passivhaus principles, airtight construction, controlled ventilation and climate-responsive design to deliver healthier, more comfortable homes.
His achievements include delivering Australia’s first Certified Passive House to achieve a BAL-FZ rating, completing seven Passive House homes in the past six years, and consistently achieving exceptional airtightness results. Beyond individual projects, Mercieca actively contributes to industry advancement through education, advocacy and industry engagement, promoting sustainable building practices that deliver measurable benefits for homeowners and the environment.
Tasmania claims top national honour
Tasmania’s Zanetto Builders claimed the highest honour of the night, winning the 2026 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home, partnered by Clipsal by Schneider Electric.
The 287 square metre Passive House Classic-certified residence was designed to perform in Tasmania’s cool temperate climate, combining contemporary architecture with exceptional building performance. Thoughtfully oriented to capture natural light and expansive views, the home features super-insulated timber-framed walls, an R11 roof assembly and a measured airtightness result of 0.5 ACH@50Pa — making it one of the tightest residential buildings ever tested in Tasmania.
Triple-glazed windows, heat recovery ventilation and an all-electric design work together to minimise energy demand, while rooftop solar and rainwater harvesting further reduce the home’s environmental footprint. Carefully selected low-VOC materials also contribute to a healthier indoor environment for occupants. The project was also awarded the HIA Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home, partnered by Bondor.
Benchmark for environmental design
HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said the awards set the standard for environmental design excellence across the residential construction sector.
“Consumer demand for practical, affordable, smart, connected and durable environmental solutions for residential housing continues to grow,” Ms Martin said.
“Our commitment to sustainable building outcomes and leading housing innovation has not altered for more than 25 years since the HIA GreenSmart program was introduced. Our members demonstrate that quality building and design, comfort, and on-going value for money can co-exist in a sustainable built environment.”
Ms Martin said the awards played an important role in identifying builders delivering real-world results for homeowners.
“HIA GreenSmart Awards highlight our members who excel at delivering year-round comfortable homes into the market.”
Acknowledging all participants, Ms Martin added: “Each winner and finalist is congratulated for achieving success at a national level.”
The HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards were presented as part of the HIA Future Homes Forum, which brought together builders, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and sustainability leaders from across Australia to celebrate excellence and explore the latest innovations shaping the future of residential construction.
The event reinforced a broader trend evident in Australia’s construction industry: demand for high-performance, energy-efficient homes is no longer a niche consideration. Builders who can demonstrate measurable environmental outcomes — through airtightness testing, certified energy ratings and verified construction methods — are increasingly distinguishing themselves in a competitive market.
For investors and buyers watching the new-build market, the growing pipeline of Passive House and high-performance certified homes signals a shift in what “quality construction” means in Australia’s residential sector.