SHAWOOD's SHINKA House II Awarded HIA's Australian Spec Home of the Year 2026

Sekisui House Australia is proud to announce that SHAWOOD’s flagship SHINKA House II, has been awarded the Housing Industry Association (HIA) 2026 Australian Spec Home of the Year.

SHINKA, means “evolution” in Japanese, and HIA’s recognition affirms SHAWOOD’s commitment to precision craftsmanship, thoughtful innovation, and elevated living - setting a new benchmark for spec homes nationally.

Designed to capitalise on sweeping views to the Blue Mountains, this five-bedroom residence balances Australian and Japanese influences while rethinking traditional suburban planning.

A defining feature of the home is its reimagined layout, relocating the garage to the rear to open the front of the home into a more connected living environment. Inside, spaces flow intuitively from a formal lounge to a dramatic double-height living area flooded with natural light, anchored by a centrally positioned kitchen designed for gathering and everyday living.
Upstairs, accommodation is arranged into private wings, enhancing both comfort and retreat. The principal suite is a sanctuary of its own, opening onto a private balcony and offering a quiet moment of escape.

Extending the home’s lifestyle appeal, SHINKA House II also features a pool, wine cellar, and a dedicated wellness zone complete with spa, gym, and zen garden—supporting a holistic approach to living. Net Zero design principles ensure the home generates surplus energy while reducing long-term running costs, reinforcing SHAWOOD’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

SHINKA House II is located in Sekisui House’s flagship Norman Estates project in Gledswood Hills. Last year, the sale of this landmark home broke the price record for the suburb, highlighting the growing demand for premium, sustainable homes across the region.
This award is a testament to the dedication of our team and partners, and a powerful endorsement of SHAWOOD’s vision - creating homes that are intelligently designed, deeply considered, and built to endure.

Find out more about Sekisui House’s approach to delivering award-winning sustainable homes and communities: https://www.sekisuihouse.com.au/communities/

For media enquiries contact:
Chloe Fox | DEC PR | P 0431 342 569 | E c.fox@decpr.com.au

About Sekisui House Australia

Founded in 1960, Sekisui House, Ltd. is one of the world’s largest homebuilders and an international diversified developer, with cumulative sales of over 2.7 million homes1. Based in Osaka, Sekisui House has over 300 consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates2, over 32,000 employees3 and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange.

Sekisui House aims to create homes and communities that improve with time and last for generations. With “Love of Humanity” as its corporate philosophy, Sekisui House believes that homes should offer comfort, security and peace of mind for residents, while maintaining harmony with the environment and its surroundings. Sekisui House has sustainability as a core corporate target and is now the global leader in the construction of net-zero-energy houses with more than 95,0004 of them built since the product was launched in 2013. In 2009, Sekisui House expanded into several new international markets and now operates in the United States, Australia and Singapore.

In Australia, Sekisui House is firmly established as a leading residential property developer and home builder delivering over 14,0005 properties to Australian families. With an accomplished track-record in delivering masterplanned communities covering greenfield development, home construction, high density and mixed-use development, total projects are valued at over A$18 billion6.

For more information on Sekisui House, please visit sekisuihouse.com.au

1. 2,749,139 homes delivered (As of January 31, 2026)
2. 301 consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates (As of January 31, 2026)
3. 32,186 employees (As of January 31, 2026)
4. 95,776 net-zero-energy houses (As of March 31, 2026)
5. 14,326 homes delivered in Australia (As of December 31, 2025)
6. $18 Billion development value of projects (As of December 31, 2025)

About SHAWOOD

Bringing over 25 years of experience in Japan to Australia, SHAWOOD has set a global benchmark for technologically advanced home building. SHAWOOD was introduced by Sekisui House as part of their dedication to set a new standard of liveable communities and human-centric designed homes in Australia.
One of the several defining features underpinning every SHAWOOD home is Sekisui House’s proprietary metal joint and laminated post and beam construction system. This distinctive method of construction brings absolute precision to the Australian home building industry and delivers substantial improvements in quality and reliability. The unique SHAWOOD structure allows for large uninterrupted spans that can create double height voids and generous space to optimise views, light and function, as well as architectural features that only a SHAWOOD home can achieve.

For more information on SHAWOOD, please visit www.shawood.com.au