Innholdsfortegnelse for No 49 i BuildHome Victoria

Over the past few years, there has been a staggering increase in the number of people choosing to knock down an older house and put a new one in its place. There are many reasons for knocking down and rebuilding. While shortage of land in metropolitan areas around Australia is one of the main reasons why people are building away from the urban sprawl, some may decide they like a particular area and don’t want to move just because their needs have changed or their family has grown. We show you why knocking down your old home and rebuilding is an extremely viable option.…

For those who know exactly what they want, there is no substitute for a custom-built house. Finding a reputable builder is the first, and perhaps the most important, step in the process towards creating your dream home — one designed with your needs, style and site in mind. A custom builder will guide you through everything, from design to construction, and will work towards making your dream a reality. They can also coordinate and manage the whole project to ensure everything stays on track and the end result lives up to your expectations.…

Four separate living zones make the Ferny Hills Merricks an entertainer’s dream. Each area can be utilised separately or guests can “flow” between areas. The living spaces are generously sized, providing enough room for large groups of people. The home features a huge hostess kitchen with bay windows to the property views, a large pantry and appliance cupboard. The home was designed for a young family with an emphasis on maintaining functionality throughout the years as the children grow. Designed to suit a large rural block with fantastic views, rear decking was installed around the north side of the home, which provides the owners with a generous outdoor living and entertaining space. The bedrooms and study are on the south side of the house and all living areas are to…

Kit homes provide an affordable, flexible and convenient housing option for homebuyers. As the name suggests, kit homes are delivered in kits containing all the necessary materials to construct a home and generally include roofing, windows, external cladding, internal walls, ceilings, verandahs and decking. Kit homes offer the homebuyer brilliant value for money, as expensive labour costs can be greatly reduced through assembling the home yourself or with the help of contracted labourers. This reduces not only the overall cost of your new home, but also the total building time. No longer do you need to sit around, forking out rent while you wait for your builder or developer to make significant progress. Kit homes allow you to take matters into your own hands and complete the project in a…

Fair Dinkum Federation Series Featured here is the Caulfield, with a range of seven different sizes and floor plans. The 24-square (223m²) home is only $124,985 for the deluxe with lock-up package, including GST. Inside the home, you will find four bedrooms, a living room, meals-area/family room, kitchen with walk-in pantry, laundry and two bathrooms. When built on a project-managed basis, the home takes approximately 16 weeks to construct, with a choice of weatherboard or brick. As the name suggests, the Harkaway Homes Fair Dinkum Federation Series Caulfield is an authentic-reproduction Federation home with a wide range of traditional features. These include high 3.6m external walls, 3m ceilings, a Federation roofline, integrated verandah, leadlight- topped box-bay windows, leadlight front-door frame with cricket-bat-entry door, Federation-line casement windows, Federation friezes and French…

This large, three-storey, 105-square home was built by Trevor and Megan Ryan on Phillip Island. It features many curved walls and is an excellent example of what can be achieved with the Thermacell building system. Commercial builders are learning what many owner-builders have known for years — that Thermacell, the fire-retardant polystyrene formwork used for casting concrete structures, is the smartest, safest, easiest and most cost-effective way to build. After completing the home on Phillip Island, Trevor says he would recommend Thermacell. “I have no hesitation in recommending Thermacell and I’ve done so to friends and other owner-builders. As owner-builders ourselves, we found Thermacell to be a fantastic building product. Its noise and insulation factors have proven to be better than expected.” Thermacell blocks have keyways top and bottom and…

Building with stone has never been more achievable or affordable than it is with Hoobler Stone, a reconstituted stone veneer. In production for more than 40 years, and compliant with the new Victorian building regulations for BALs (Bushfire Attack Levels), Hoobler Stone has earned respect within the building and landscaping industries for its natural look and ability to weather the harsh Australian climate. Hoobler Stone is a cement-based product made in moulds cast from natural stone. Hundreds of different shapes are produced in a variety of textures and colours, creating a classic and contemporary range to suit many architectural styles. It’s strong, colour-fast and maintenance-free. The stone can be applied to almost any type of wall surface, including timber, brick, concrete or fibro. Each piece of stone is randomly fixed…

A rigid material without plasticisers, uPVC is very tough and has low conductivity, making it perfect for a window frame High achiever uPVC windows and doors are highperformance options ideal for Australia’s hot coastal environment. We speak to Tracey Wakefield, managing director of Plustec, to find out more. A vital feature of the home, windows are often highly underestimated. From an energy point of view, windows are the weakest link in the building fabric, and this is particularly true in Australia where oversized windows are a popular trend. While uPVC windows are not new to Australia, most of us are unaware of these high-performance — but relatively lowcost — windows and their benefits. A rigid material without plasticisers, uPVC is very tough and has low conductivity, making it perfect for…

Once an old 1960s brick box, the home that now sits in its place couldn’t be further from its predecessor. Conceptualised, built and managed by Paul Clout Design, the project is a classic beach-style residence that embraces its tropical Noosa location in the most stylish way. When fortunate enough to have water views and a pristine location, it only makes sense to design a home that embraces these sought-after aspects, despite the challenges that may come with doing so. “The land is on a beautiful position on the Noosa River and is like a triangle with a massive, curved river frontage,” says Paul Clout. “So we designed the house to bend around the whole area to take advantage of every aspect of this beautiful position.” To combat harsh weather, the…

Whether it’s a custom-built creation, knockdown rebuild project, kit or display home that you desire, there’s no need for Victorians to limit their search to Victoria. New South Wales, whether you live here or not, could be the answer for some additional building ideas. You could have a sprawling country block or a small site in the suburbs, but regardless of what your space looks like or your budget, these pages are filled with the work of exceptional builders.…

EXPERT TIP: Always be aware of the acoustics in the home and the impact they can have on comfort and li ability. In this home, acoustic absorption was provided by using Hebel. John from Horizon says, “The idea was that the herd from upstairs — the children running around — couldn’t be heard downstairs.” This is clever thinking, and another reason why this home is a winner. The Chillagoe home offers homeowners practicality and luxury, with ample living spaces designed for comfort and style. It’s the blend of earthy, organic materials combined with modern, innovative design elements that sets this house apart from other contemporary designs. Upon entering the house through the Axolotl door — manufactured from zinc, copper and bronze — it’s clear there are plenty of delightful surprises…

Strong and beautiful Monier’s Elemental Series pushes the boundaries of design. Originally developed for the aerospace industry, this exceptionally strong and lightweight material is manufactured from an advanced fibre-reinforced engineered composite, is five times lighter than concrete tiles and can withstand up to 300kg of weight. It offers rust resistance against marine and corrosive environments as well as a long-lasting UV colour-fast coating system and strong resilience against dent and impact damage. Elemental Series provides a strong, durable material that can withstand soaring summer temperatures, salty sea air and powerful hailstorms. Available in various sizes and colours, the range can be customised to meet the unique requirements of each project. The large Ultra Panel and the unique Square Panel options complement the modern Australian roof, resulting in pitches as low…

Many savvy homeowners or cashed-up investors are rethinking renovations in favour of starting with a clean slate — knocking down an existing dwelling and rebuilding a new one. Changing family needs over time can mean the cosy two-bedroom cottage you fell in love with is bursting at the seams when kids have come along. Or perhaps an older family member has moved in and another bathroom needs to be added, or the kids have flown the nest and your family home is too big for just a couple. When a home no long suits the needs of the homeowners, generally one of two things happens: the homeowners renovate or relocate. Both of these options can present challenges, says Phillipa Harrison from Rawson Homes. “Research shows that moving house is one…

This beautiful home was designed and built for the original owners as a dream home, when they returned to Mount Martha to enjoy their retirement after living overseas for many years. Sadly, due to illness, this was never to be. “This was very sad for us all at Graeme Alexander Homes as they put so much of themselves into this project,” says Graeme Alexander, who built the home. “However, we are all but caretakers for beautiful homes and it was sold onto the current owners who immediately loved the pleasant view and the home’s design lines.” Originally, the current owners asked Graeme Alexander Homes to adjust the house to suit their needs. “I suggested they live with the home for a while as there was considerable thought put into it,”…

Striking, eye-catching and stunning are just a few of the adjectives that can be used to describe the designs created by American Home Designs. Combining bold external appearances with practical and liveable interiors, designs by American Home Designs look and feel like something out of a Hollywood movie. All homes are made to suit your lifestyle and budget, ultimately to give you the home of your dreams. When designing your home, an experienced design consultant works with you one on one, from concept to completion, paying close attention to vital factors to ensure each need is met and an efficient plan is designed for you and the way you live. The featured home is just one of the many inspiring designs created by American Home Designs. Built by American Homes’…

Both in their mid-60s, farming couple Peter and Denise Reardon decided to retire from life on the land and wanted a home that would meet their immediate needs as well as offer accommodation for visiting family and grandchildren. Their new home had to be a single-level design with easy access to the garden and was to take in their country views and make the most of their rather difficult elevated block in the Riverina town of Gundagai, New South Wales. Their large rectangular block is on the side of a hill and while offering great views over the township of Gundagai, it also presented quite a challenge for construction. The site has a steep fall to one side, which required a retaining wall to be built prior to construction. Peter…

There is an amazing selection of building products on the market these days that will help you build an energy-efficient home with great aesthetic appeal. The simple use of a unique building product can be the final touch to making your home extra-special. Whether you are a city dweller or a country resident, there is a building product for you. Unique building products not only help to individualise your home and give it the look and feel you want, they also make the home more functional for your specific site needs. We live in a vast country with varying climates and environmental conditions, so no one building system will be the ideal solution for every place. Unique products allow you to create the home you need in the area you…

With flexible options to individualise your design, facade systems are a great way to transform your home. The materials used on the facade can make a big difference to how the home blends with its surroundings, be it a city street or a country retreat. Experience and enjoy a fresh, new-look home without the hassle of moving or rebuilding. There are now many great choices in colours and textures of facade systems to match perfectly with your home’s existing style or to help give it a new look. Options such as brick, timber shingles, weatherboard, uPVC boards, stone, render, concrete, corrugated steel, blueboard and polystyrene cladding provide aesthetic appeal, plus various benefits for coping with the local climate.…

Queensland is a great state to live or invest in. Its famous tropical weather and landscape diversity have been attracting new Australian and international residents for generations. Whether you’re building your dream home, holiday house or an investment property, Queensland is home to a host of quality builders who can make those plans a reality. In the following pages, you’ll find inspiring projects by the state’s leading builders and land estates.…

The latest offering from Garth Chapman Queenslanders is creating quite a buzz in the construction industry. This stylish and contemporary Queenslander has a swag of inclusions, but with a very affordable price tag. Director of Garth Chapman Queenslanders, Stephen Havas, says the home has been built and finished based upon a new standard of inclusions known as their ‘Classic Inclusions’. Director of Garth Chapman Queenslanders, Stephen Havas, says the home has been built and finished based upon a new standard of inclusions known as their ‘Classic Inclusions’. “This level of finish provides clients with a more modest entry price point without sacrificing some of the much-loved Garth Chapman features, such as our high-quality standards on construction techniques and finishes,” says Stephen. Step onto the verandah and the journey into relaxed…

This home is a magnificent combination of functional design and stylish architectural finishes. The result is a visually stunning space that works smoothly and effortlessly for its inhabitants. Built by Young Homes, this four-bedroom, four-bathroom abode is home to a busy working couple who wanted a light, bright and breezy place to call their own; one that would suit their needs and accommodate their lifestyle. The homeowners — a busy working couple without children — wanted to plan the house around the areas that would get the most use. For them, this was the ground floor, so the couple chose to place the master bedroom here along with a large entertaining space. Their large entertaining space takes the form of an alfresco zone, located beside the pool. A low light…

This family of four has found its forever home with this enchanting contemporary build. Featuring luxurious elements and high quality, hardwearing and durable materials, this large family abode is an aesthetically pleasing space that has been built to last. These homeowners wanted an inviting, light-filled family space with light walls, high ceilings and plenty of windows to allow for fresh air, cool breezes and captivating views. Architect Douglas Cummins of Douglas Design helped this family achieve this dream by focusing his plans on capturing the spectacular river views across the river with the clever use of open-plan areas and plenty of glass. Builders Karlsen Homes made this dream a reality with exceptional attention to detail offered and extra love given to the abode in areas such as the generous-sized covered…

Ambition rewarded Brendon of Lilydale, Victoria, built Paal Kit Homes’ large Castlereagh design on a deeply sloping block and did a magnificent job. He also saved at least a quarter of a million dollars by tackling most of the work himself. The home of Brendon and his partner, Denise, overlooks a bush-filled valley on Melbourne’s eastern fringe, with the commanding outlook achieved by positioning the house and deck on 88 steel piers that are nearly 3m high at the deck’s edge. Brendon taught himself new skills, including pier placement and support for the elevated timber flooring, and used the mandatory tradespeople for roofing, plumbing and electrical. While admitting that his 420m2 home, including a double-garage and deck, was ambitious, Brendon says, “It was also straightforward in a lot of respects.…

Storybook Designer Homes loves knockdownrebuild projects. With agencies Australia-wide, the company ensures every home is individually designed and budget controlled to suit the unique needs of the clients. The selected example is to be built in Mount Eliza, Victoria, for a wonderful family with two young children. The couple has their own business — both are fashion designers working in the home environment — so it was imperative their workplace be full of character to encourage and inspire creativity. Upstairs, above the hustle and bustle of family life and accessed by a single staircase, is a private office space featuring a cathedral ceiling and French doors, which open to a balcony. This design gives the owners the choice to work indoors or out and is just a few steps away…

This high-end contemporary design more than meets the homeowner’s request for attention to detail in a showpiece home that combines numerous materials for a striking exterior and an interior that focuses on functionality and style. “Although the clients arrived at our office with plans in hand, it was evident that they were open to discussions on the concept in order to utilise space and choose their selections wisely,” says Steven Hedger, director of Hedger Constructions. “A positive two-way experience developed and in conjunction with a determined on-site team, an excellent rapport meant strong communication as the build progressed. With everyone focused to complete the build to the highest level, this determination flowed to all onsite trades and the results manifested in a fantastic team effort.” The distinctive design is reflective…

With a fresh, breezy appeal, the customised Woolamai by Swenrick Constructions is a testament to sophisticated design that truly speaks for itself. Featuring a blend of textures to the external cladding including Hoobler Stone and corrugated Colorbond steel, the house facade has a unique sense of character that catches the eye. Modern living and natural ambience is captured by the open-plan design that blends the main living areas including the kitchen, dining and living room. The generosity of extra highlight windows to these areas allows plenty of natural light and provides the occupants with views of the surrounding landscape. A stunning wood fireplace and hearth with Hoobler Stone feature chimney sits as the focal point of the space for a homely feel. The contemporary kitchen is a cook’s delight featuring…

Storybook Designer Homes was established more than 20 years ago and its team is dedicated to producing state-of-the-art, high-character design solutions at extremely competitive prices. Clients choose from traditional, classic, beach and modern styles and no matter what the building site — level, sloping, narrow, treed etc — Storybook will create a fabulous solution. Pictured are a few of the 2000 individual designs Storybook Designer Homes has created for owner-builder clients. The process of individual design is not just about the floor plan and external shape of the house; rather, it’s the total desired impression inside and out. The company began by providing a product to satisfy the cottage and traditional market but quickly realised there was a huge need for more contemporary and coastal products. Today, Storybook is proud…

As operations manager for Whytehall Services, Alex Labberton typically works on commercial projects for large well-known companies doing interior and structural fitouts, but he swapped his suit for his tool belt to build a holiday home for his family. “It was my chance to get back on the tools as a hobby across 18 months of weekends, public holidays and RDOs to build the family holiday home,” says experienced builder Alex. “I pretty much had carte blanche but my Dad warned me: ‘You better not build me an office block.’ It’s a family joke because I also have a hotelier cousin who built a foyer-style reception area in his home.” The home is 600m² on one level in coastal Kilcunda, Victoria, and overlooks Bass Coast. There are two wings, with…

When you’ve got high standards and three young boys, finding a dream home can seem like an impossible task. And that’s the experience Jenna and Paul were having as they hunted for their forever home all over the Illawarra region. Nothing they saw quite lived up to their vision of a family home with a special blend of classic style and a practical layout for their growing tribe. “We’d been looking for a stylish home where the children could have free rein,” says Jenna. “Being within a reasonable distance of Wollongong was important but we wanted to be far enough away to make coming home feel like we were out of the hustle and bustle.” A vision of classic coastal chic Although having a functional, family-friendly home was a top…

A building contract is an important legal document that forms an agreement between a builder and consumer regarding domestic building work. As each state and territory in Australia has its own building authority, building contract laws vary from state to state. In New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, legal requirements for these contracts are set out in the Home Building Act 1989, the Domestic Building Contracts Act 2000 and the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, respectively. Regardless of where you’re building your new home, a contract is required if the total cost of work exceeds a certain amount. In NSW, builders must supply their clients with a written contract if a job costs more than $1000 (including labour and materials). This amount is set at $3300 in Queensland and $5000…

Perhaps the ideal escape for you is trekking in a leafy rainforest, or maybe it’s a foodie-inspired gastronomical adventure, or going someplace where you can catch the ultimate wave. Now, imagine if you could escape to your favourite holiday destination to do what you love whenever you want. With your own holiday home, packing everything you need for holidays could be a thing of the past. You no longer have to plan and book in advance, just roll up and relax. It’s that easy. Plus, you can share the joy with close friends and family so they can join you or holiday when they need a getaway too. A growing trend More and more people are choosing to build a second home as a holiday house, investment property or both.…

This custom-designed luxury canal-front home is typical of the rebuilds currently being undertaken by Unique Homes. Conveniently located just under a kilometre from the heart of Surfers Paradise and within walking distance from the beach, it replaced an older singlestorey dwelling from the 1970s. Unique Homes’ company director, Jim Taylor, says there is probably not a better time to consider this option. “Older properties built in the middle of the last century in Brisbane’s inner suburbs and on the Gold Coast’s early canal developments are now keenly sought after.” “In their time, the homes represented the latest ideas in design and building materials but times have changed and so have the aspirations of today’s buyers. By today’s standards, these homes provide limited off-street parking, outdated kitchens and bathrooms, smaller living…

This striking residence challenges the idea that new homeowners can only achieve their dream abode with the help of an architect. The Edge, built by Rawson Homes, offers a spectacular array of stylish and sophisticated layout and design features that you might expect to see in the portfolio of an architect. This is a home with clean lines and contemporary inclusions. “We wanted to create a light and airy feel,” explains Phillipa Harrison of Rawson Homes. “We used light materials and maximised the window space throughout to help create this.” Rawson Homes chose to place a full glass wall to one side of the abode, traversing levels and allowing light to filter in throughout the day. The clever placement of glass is a special feature that gives the home its…

EXPERT TIP: It’s the little touches that make a big impact in this home. The recessed wall niches where you can hang a photo or artwork for a streamlined loo k, the ornate curved wrought iron stair balustrades, and the quality porcelain tiles all raise the bar in this design. Casual living can also be urbane and cultured — this is where Hamptons style shines. This four-bedroom, three-bathroom twostorey home is simple and sophisticated with exceptional attention-to-detail. Every aspect of the abode has been crafted with the end user in mind — a discerning buyer who enjoys comfort, classic good looks and character. There is also a little French provincial style in the mix — seen in aspects such as the use of curved wrought iron and the home’s earthy…