Australian Institute of Architects shortlist the year's finest work

THE Australian Institute of Architects will shortlist the year's finest work today. Go behind the front doors of the houses you wished you lived in.

Charles Wright Architects

FROM A modern retreat in a sleepy Victorian beach town to a sleek oasis in the tropics of far north Queensland.

These new Australian homes are way better than yours, and they know it.

View the gallery here.

The Australian Institute of Architects will shortlist the year's best work today, and in the mix are 10 of the country's most beautiful family homes.

No need for a TV in front of this couch. The view will do. John Wardle Architects. Picture: Trevor Mein.

There's a distinct trend among the 2013 finalists: the outdoors and invariably blended with the indoors.

Sprawling living rooms and kitchens dovetail effortlessly into their surroundings so the old notions of inside and outside are thrown out the vast, beautiful window.

Where does the garden end and the bathroom begin? Drew Heath Architects. Picture: Matt Craig.

The jury had the pleasure of judging more buildings and places this year than ever before, with more than 900 entries received across all categories.

"(That exceeds) the amount of entries in both the British and American Institute's award programs," the institute's immediate past president Shelley Penn said.

"This demonstrates a strong engagement from members and is a tremendous effort and to be commended given our relative population size."

Let me entertain you. Loucas Zahos Architects. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones.

The 10 finalists come from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

View the gallery of all 10 homes here .

Room with a view. Loucas Zahos Architects. Picture: Brett Boardman.

What's your pick of the bunch? Continue the conversation on Twitter @danielstrudwick | @newscomauHQ