What do a former sweet factory, a church with a pool and a suburban aqueduct all have in common? They are all shortlisted homes in this year’s Houses Awards.

Designers submit their most inspiring examples of residential architecture into the Awards, with one project taking away the coveted title of Australian Home of the Year.

The projects submitted represent the best in contemporary antipodean architecture, and it’s not hard to see why. HotHouse has managed the publicity for the Awards since 2014 and each year we are in awe of the stunning homes, and innovative ways the architects have responded to their brief.

Some of our favourite entries from this year’s shortlist are nothing short of sublime (read this at your own peril, it is sure to induce property envy).

This candy-coloured former sweet factory conversion in Melbourne.

This Fitzroy home is a primary colour-blocked dream.

This acute Queensland home with a built in rock climbing wall

This ephemeral coastal home in Sydney by ChenChow Little (who won last year’s Houses Awards)

The stunning, monochromatic spiral staircase in this Melbourne property

We worship this Collingwood church conversion with a pool

To take a guided tour of some of the best examples of contemporary antipodean architecture, or to purchase tickets to the awards gala night at NGV International, on August 4, visit the Houses Awards website.