Newcastle's premier granny flat specialist, Backyard Grannys, has cemented its industry leadership by claiming two major awards at the prestigious 2025 Housing Industry Association (HIA) Awards.
Award-Winning Excellence in Lightweight Housing
The Newcastle-based company triumphed in both the Purpose Built Project and Lightweight Housing categories, while also receiving finalist recognition in the Affordable Housing category. These honours acknowledge the firm's dedication to innovative design, superior craftsmanship, and customer-focused service that has defined their approach for over fourteen years.
Alex Mitchell, founder and managing director of Backyard Grannys, expressed gratitude to the homeowners, Scott and Donna, along with the entire team behind the award-winning project. "These wins are recognition of the consistent effort our team put in day in and day out to create truly unique and custom projects for our customers," Mitchell stated. "It means a lot for their hard work and talent to be recognised by our peers."
Granny Flats: Solving NSW's Housing Crisis
Mitchell emphasized the broader significance of these awards in highlighting the critical role granny flats play in addressing New South Wales' severe housing shortage. "Granny flats are a crucial solution to NSW's housing shortage because they offer fast, affordable and flexible ways to increase housing supply without needing new land or major infrastructure," he explained.
With property prices soaring and rental vacancies at critical lows across NSW, granny flats have emerged as a practical response to the housing crisis, particularly in suburban areas where land space permits secondary dwellings.
Beyond providing additional housing stock, Mitchell noted multiple benefits: "Granny flats support multigenerational living for families by allowing elderly parents, adult children or carers to live nearby while maintaining independence. They tick the sustainability box because smaller dwellings use fewer resources and can be designed with energy efficiency in mind."
From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader
What began as a simple concept fourteen years ago - unlocking the potential within Australian backyards - has evolved into a thriving business with an extended team of employees and a trusted network of tradespeople. Backyard Grannys has now completed over 1500 successful builds, establishing themselves as the leading granny flat builder across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast, Port Stephens and the Hunter Region.
The company's philosophy centres on providing affordable housing solutions while delivering exceptional customer experiences. "The quality of our products, listening to the customer and keeping them at the centre of everything we do is the foundation of our success," Mitchell affirmed.
This customer-first approach is evident in their operational model, where a creative architectural and design team collaborates closely with clients to realise their visions, supported by high-quality trades and suppliers.
Looking forward, Backyard Grannys aims to continue redefining perceptions of what granny flats can achieve through innovative design and creative solutions that maximise backyard potential while contributing meaningfully to NSW's housing landscape.
