Six Denmark homes took top honours across different categories at the 2026 Denmark Kwoorabup Sustainable Home Awards last month.

The awards, held on May 16, celebrate excellence in sustainable housing, eco-friendly design and natural construction as well as innovation, creativity and environmentally conscious living across the Shire of Denmark.

The Peace Street Straw Bale Home designed by Brenna Quinlan and built by Benn Boston won two categories — the compact low impact award and the John Piercy innovation award.

The home combines natural techniques, reclaimed materials and off-grid renewable energy to achieve strong year-round comfort and environmental performance.

Features of the house include an off-grid solar power with battery storage, straw bale walls, site sourced clay renders, a 90,000L rainwater storage, grey water reuse systems and an attached greenhouse designed to naturally warm the home through winter while growing food year-round.

The house also incorporates passive heating and cooling strategies including cross ventilation, generous eaves and thermally efficient design.

Bryce Martin won the town (sub)urban category for his Russell Rise Passive House Principles home, which was recognised for its precision-led design approach, delivering year-round thermal comfort, strong energy performance and a flexible and accessible layout suited to change household needs.

Some key features of the home included an insulated ventilated cavity system, polished concrete floors, heat recovery ventilation system, and a solar PV battery storage.

For the lifestyle/rural category two winners were recognised for showing how sustainable design can be achieved in a rural setting through the use of existing structures and materials.

The first winner of this award was Saju Abraham and Holly Pepper for their Ocean Beach Road Adaptive Reuse Home which reduces embodied carbon and has improved thermal performance.

The house incorporates a transportable structure for improved passive solar performance, thermal comfort, all electric systems, a six-point five-star energy rating, and the use of recycled materials.

The tied winner of this category was Sonia Anderson for the Inlet Drive Rural Sustainable Home which brings together passive solar design, high performance building fabric and an all-electric system to create a comfortable, low impact rural residence that responds to its climate.

Some sustainable characteristics of the house include solar design, bottle windows, deep eaves designed in response to changing climate conditions, a 50,000L rainwater tank, zoned living and there was minimal construction waste.

Pam Rumble won the 2026 people’s choice award for the Deco Housing Community Home.

She was voted in by the attendees at the awards night for the home that resonated strongly with visitors through its comfort, design and approach to sustainable living.

Some important features that set this home apart from the others was the shared gardens and orchid, the walk-able location, adaptive home design, the biodiversity focused landscaping and integrated green spaces and efficient water systems.

Owner of key sponsor 90 Degree Residential Martin Sneeuwjagt said even changing small features of a home to be more sustainable can be fulfilling for owners.

“Even small steps make a difference,” he said.

“Whether it is installing a rainwater tank, choosing low-VOC finishes, or carefully positioning windows for cross ventilation, each decision contributes to long-term sustainability.

“Sustainable homes are future-proof, cost-effective, and enriching for everyone who lives in them.”

The community can explore these sustainable homes at the open days which are set to be held across June and July.