A custom-built Central Highlands home has taken Tasmania’s top residential building honour, capping a big night for the Launceston builder behind it.
Black Point Lodge at Interlaken, a stone and timber retreat built by 3D Construction & Developments, was named Home of the Year at the 2026 HIA Tasmanian Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards in Hobart on Saturday night.
The company collected eight awards, including Custom Built Home of the Year, Renovation/Addition Project of the Year and Bathroom of the Year.
Designed for the Highlands climate, the lodge uses locally sourced dolerite stone, weathered Blackbutt cladding and aged hardwood decking alongside large areas of glass. Inside are Blackbutt timber linings, stone fireplaces and burnished concrete floors.
The dolerite also extends up the lodge’s four chimneys, recycled Blackbutt window frames hold floor-to-ceiling glass and hydronic heating runs under the floors.
The project was also featured on Series 12 of Grand Designs Australia.
“It’s built for the challenging Highlands climate and you can see the care in every detail, from the local dolerite to the timber work inside,” HIA Tasmania executive director Benjamin Price said.
“That’s what Tasmanian builders do so well.”
Wilson Homes won five awards, including Professional Major Builder. Lily Millwood from Wilson Homes won Young Achiever/Trailblazer. She joined the company last year as a cadet construction supervisor after finishing her carpentry apprenticeship.
“Lily’s a great example of where a trade can take you,” Price said.
“She started with a carpentry apprenticeship and now she’s learning to run sites. That’s the kind of career path young Tasmanians should know is out there.”
St Joseph Affordable Homes won Affordable Housing for 36 two- and three-bedroom homes in Triabunna, which provide social and affordable housing on the east coast.
Django Ward of Skookom was named Apprentice of the Year. He said he is interested in passive design and low-carbon construction. He designed and built his own tiny home.
Woodhams Builders won People’s Choice Home of the Year, the only award decided by consumer vote, for a home at Otago Bay.
Among the other winners, Axis Homes Tas won Residential Design for a pavilion-style home on the South Arm peninsula. Merlin Constructions won both Townhouse Development and Townhouse of the Year for its Little Bich Retreats at Bicheno.
Last year, Construction With Destiny won the top award for its Nebraska Residence on Bruny Island.
Price said every winner showed “the skill and pride in this industry”.
“When Tasmania needs more homes built, these awards are a strong reminder of the exceptional quality our industry deliver each and every day,” he said.
