A Chiton home, designed and built by South Coast Constructions, has been officially named Australia’s best display home in the 2023 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards.

The Ashton, off Brickyard Road, has taken out the national Display Home of the Year award at the awards announced on Hamilton Island, Queensland on May 20.

South Coast Constructions’ director Jamie Knott was joined by the company’s principal home designer, Matthew Parker, at the prestigious presentation dinner.

He’s “over the moon” about the national honour for the Victor Harbor-based regional builder who beat many larger metropolitan home design and building companies across Australia to snare the national award.

“This is an amazing honour which couldn’t have been achieved without the exceptional workmanship and attention to detail of our staff and the many suppliers and sub-contractors who assist us,” Mr Knott says.

“Like many builders during the pandemic, we have had to face and overcome additional pressures which made this project even more challenging, so to say we are absolutely thrilled is an understatement.”

The display home was handed to its new owners in March 2023 after it was purchased before completion. While open it attracted thousands of visitors from throughout the State and beyond.

The win came after The Ashton taking out the Best Display Home $1m-$2million category, and the Home of the Year honour at the HIA-CSR South Australian awards in November.

The judges were impressed by the modern Scandinavian barn style home with its stand-out features maximising energy efficiency, a hallmark of homes within the Beyond Today sustainable housing development.

“The Ashton display home offers an inspiring interpretation of the Scandinavian barn style, its sheer size and striking exterior making it a memorable addition to Port Elliot,” they said in their summary.

“The expansive single-level layout stretches across the landscape, with the bedrooms adorning the wings and the centralised living spaces connected together under soaring, pitched ceilings and highset double-glazed windows.

“Beautiful, character-laden features, from the enormous stone walls to the French-laid travertine tiles, contrast with the dramatic kitchen island, charcoal joinery and American oak dining bench. Outside, the builder introduced reclaimed timber from old jetties for the decking in the entertaining area.

“Despite the spacious open plan design, areas for quiet reflection can be found in a charming bay window seating nook and an inviting loft platform above the lounge room, which provides sweeping views out to the water and of the surrounding countryside from its high vantage point.”

HIA Managing Director Graham Wolfe said the HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards recognise the best in Australia’s residential building industry.

“The HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards allow us to acknowledge their skill and their commitment to quality in design, material selection and construction. Our awards’ program brings together members who excel in building exceptional homes, kitchens and bathrooms and run highly successful businesses.

“HIA Award winners build with exceptional workmanship; demonstrated in projects that push the boundaries in design and innovation. It is my absolute pleasure to congratulate each winner for their hard work and commitment to excellence,” Mr Wolfe added.