In summary

  • Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) student Steve Pettitt won first prize in the Small Family Home category at this year’s Small Home Big Life design competition, while classmate Corey Black came runner up
  • Small Home Big Life is a competition for architecture and building design students, and celebrates the tiny home design movement
  • The competition gives students the opportunity to work to a real brief, to create innovative, functional, energy-efficient and buildable housing solutions.

Steve Pettitt, an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) student, came first for his design in the Small Family Home category, while classmate Corey Black placed runner up in the same category.

Small Home Big Life is an annual competition for Victorian architecture and building design students, which celebrates and promotes the many positive aspects of the tiny home design movement

The competition aims to promote the idea that a big life is possible in a small home, and is also about incorporating affordability and sustainability into housing design. The competition is industry-led and sponsored by Industry Association ‘Design Matters’ magazine. Barry Du Bois, co-host of Network 10's lifestyle program ‘The Living Room’ was a judge this year, alongside respected designers, architects, manufacturers.

Swinburne Pathway and Vocational Education (PAVE) building and construction teacher, Jane Clancy has had students take part in the competition for the last six years and says it’s a fantastic challenge for students to tackle.

“It’s a great way for students to showcase their design skills and 3D drawings, as well as getting the chance to work with new construction materials and meeting all the building codes and regulations” say Ms Clancy.

The competition gives budding designers the chance to showcase their best work, with the winning submissions displayed at the annual HIA Home Show in Melbourne. This year, due to the COVID-19 situation, the showcase has been postponed.

Winning student, Steve Pettitt says his passion for sustainability inspired him to enter the contest, and that he enjoyed the challenge of designing small-scale for the competition.

”Designing my entry for the competition was really fun. I found it really refreshing to have to think about scaling down designs, rather than being asked to scale up! I’m really proud to have this design in my portfolio, I think it really showcases my sustainable design skills and ability to create livable homes within limited space” says Steve.

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