Tasmania’s Zanetto Builders dominates 2026 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards with three national titles

Tasmania’s Zanetto Builders has taken home three national titles at the 2026 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards, including the coveted HIA Australian GreenSmart Home of the Year for the Bluebush Passivhaus — one of the tightest residential buildings ever tested in the state.

The awards, presented as part of the HIA Future Homes Forum, brought together builders, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and sustainability leaders from across Australia to celebrate excellence and recognise the latest innovations shaping the future of residential construction.

The Bluebush Passivhaus, a 287sqm Passive House Classic-certified residence designed for Tasmania’s cool temperate climate, took out the top prize, partnered by Clipsal by Schneider Electric. The home combines contemporary architecture with exceptional building performance, featuring super-insulated timber-framed walls, an approximate R11 roof assembly and a measured airtightness result of just 0.5 ACH@50Pa.

Triple-glazed European windows, balanced mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and a fully electrified design work together to deliver thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Rooftop solar PV, heat-pump hot water, rainwater harvesting and low-VOC materials round out a design that demonstrates how advanced building science and sustainability can combine to create a healthy, resilient family home. The project also claimed the HIA Australian GreenSmart Custom Built Home award, partnered by Bondor.

Zanetto Builders’ third national title came in the HIA Australian GreenSmart Multi Dwelling Development category, partnered by Toyota for Business, for two all-electric coastal homes inspired by Tasmania’s traditional east coast shacks. The homes combine passive solar design, high-performance construction and carefully selected materials while responding to their coastal setting — challenging the convention of a single oversized dwelling.

HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said the awards set the standard for environmental design excellence across the residential construction industry.

“Consumer demand for practical, affordable, smart, connected and durable environmental solutions for residential housing continues to grow.

“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 ongoing value for money can co-exist in a sustainable built environment.

“The HIA GreenSmart Awards highlight our members who excel at delivering year-round comfortable homes into the market. Each winner and finalist is congratulated for achieving success at a national level,” concluded Ms Martin.

Beyond Tasmania, winners were recognised across every state and a range of categories. G.J. Gardner Homes Warragul in Victoria took out the HIA Australian GreenSmart Display/Project Home, partnered by The Australian Reinforcing Company, for a display home designed to operate independently of the grid. Solar, integrated battery storage and smart energy management technology work together to significantly reduce reliance on traditional electricity sources.

Also in Tasmania, Davies Design & Construction won HIA Australian GreenSmart Energy Efficiency, partnered by Clipsal by Schneider Electric, for one of the state’s few Certified Passive House Plus homes. Behind its understated rural appearance, the home combines a high-performance building envelope, triple-glazed windows, heat recovery ventilation and rooftop solar to achieve exceptional energy efficiency and year-round comfort.

Joe Mercieca of Blue Eco Homes in NSW was named HIA Australian GreenSmart Professional, partnered by HIA Insurance Services, in recognition of more than four decades of leadership in sustainable residential construction and an ongoing commitment to advancing high-performance building practices across the industry.

Victoria’s Shepherd Homes claimed the HIA Australian GreenSmart Renovation/Addition Project, partnered by Electrolux, for the transformation of a heritage miner’s cottage. The project blends careful restoration with a contemporary, energy-efficient extension to preserve the character of the home while enhancing its liveability.

Rounding out the national winners, Nulook Homes and Solar Dwellings in Western Australia won the HIA Australian GreenSmart Sustainable Home, partnered by ForestOne, for a 10 Star NatHERS-rated, carbon-negative home. Through passive solar design, high-performance insulation, rooftop solar and water-saving initiatives, the home achieves exceptional environmental performance on a standard suburban site.