Celebrating Excellence in Australian Architecture and Sustainable Design at the 2026 Houses Awards

A renovated Brisbane Queenslander called Half Light House has won Australian House of the Year at the 2026 Houses Awards, beating hundreds of entries from across the nation architectureau. The timber cottage extension in Clayfield was designed by Brisbane architect John Ellway and features an innovative central courtyard that flips the traditional backyard concept newscomau.
Half Light House also claimed the House Alteration and Addition category award architectureau, cementing its status as one of Australia's most impressive residential designs. The property beat hundreds of competitors to earn the top prize at this year's prestigious architecture awards realestate
Half Light House reimagines how families use outdoor space newscomau. The design places a central courtyard at the heart of the home, reversing the typical Australian backyard layout where gardens sit at the rear. This creative approach won over judges at the 2026 Houses Awards.
Architect John Ellway designed Half Light House to blend modern additions with the existing timber cottage structure newscomau architectureau. The project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can honor a home's heritage while creating fresh, livable spaces. Ellway's approach earned recognition across multiple award categories.
Located in Brisbane's Clayfield suburb, Half Light House represents the caliber of residential design now emerging across Australia realestate. The winning entry beat out hundreds of competitors nationwide, signaling a shift toward bolder, more innovative approaches to home alteration and renovation headtopics.
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