Innholdsfortegnelse for No 48 i BuildHome Victoria

Located only a stone’s throw from the bright lights of Melbourne’s CBD, the western suburb of Footscray is a bustling metropolis. A multicultural mix of people, food and culture, Footscray is alive with exciting events and festivals, places to relax, delicious and diverse cuisines — there is something for everyone. Forty per cent of Footscray’s residents were born outside Australia, hailing from 135 countries and speaking more than 80 languages. This ethnic diversity has fostered a vital street culture like no other in Melbourne. Once a centre for southern European migrants, today Footscray is home to Chinese, Vietnamese, and increasingly North African immigrants. For the foodies, Footscray boasts an eclectic mix of restaurants, eateries and cafes to satisfy any craving. Whether you’re in the mood for an Ethiopian coffee experience,…

It was an “American dream” come true for professional couple Heidi and Alan when their knock-down-rebuild delivered their ideal home. Working closely alongside Farm Houses of Australia during the ninemonth project, the pair transformed their run-down Blackburn property into the home they had always longed for. “It was a dream of ours for seven years to have a home like the one chosen for our wedding venue,” says Heidi. “We interviewed a shortlist of builders who were building homes like these and found Farm Houses to be the best match for us.” Situated on a 895m2 sloped rectangle block, the property features a garage, porch and verandah. Both Heidi and Alan had a clear vision of the elements they wanted to include in the design. The home has a ‘New…

For home builders 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 to your needs, style and site in mind. A custom builder will guide you through everything, from the design to the construction stage, and will work towards making your wishes a reality. They can also co-ordinate and manage the whole project to ensure everything stays on track and the end result lives up to your expectations.…

Contemporary living is all about creating seamlessly integrated spaces tied together by eclectic materials and functional design. This is exactly what Q&J Constructions has produced with this Aspendale home. Clean lines to the exterior facade enable the home to fashion a mix of textures including timber and brick for an inviting look. Upon entering the home one is greeted with stunning hardwood floors that expand through the first floor of the residence. On the ground floor is the spacious open kitchen/living and dining space. Crisp white walls and 3m-high ceilings add to the feeling of spaciousness, creating a continuous line for the eye to follow, while cleverly placed rugs section off each area for its own purpose. A stunning stone waterfall kitchen island benchtop sits at the centre of the…

Reducing carbon emissions and being environmentally friendly are major issues for many of us today. However, others say they find it difficult to accommodate greener practices as these can be time-consuming and expensive. Developing an energy-efficient home using clever building products and procedures is an easy, effective way to live greener without changing your lifestyle. By becoming more energy efficient, you not only reduce your carbon emissions but, more often than not, you will end up reducing the gas and electricity costs of running your home. As you take a look through the following pages, be inspired by the fabulous options available and develop ideas on how you can create a more energy-efficient home.…

A great way of knowing what you’re buying is to purchase a project or display home. Hotondo Homes building designer Natalie O’Shea says, “Display homes offer the opportunity to envisage what your home will look like. Seeing the home will allow you to pinpoint aspects you may want to change that would otherwise be missed when viewing a simple floorplan.” Inspecting project or display homes allows you to get an idea of the overall size of each home, as well as its layout. By walking through different homes, you can compare room sizes and envision how your furniture will fit into the house. It is also an ideal way of judging the building quality and finishing touches included with each home.…

After Jan and Ken Gilmore of Yellow Rock lost their home in the October 2013 bushfires, they rebuilt to Flame Zone specifications in partnership with Paal Kit Homes of Emu Plains. The stringent BAL-FZ protection level required that Paal and the couple’s builder, son Steven, include measures such as toughened glass windows, steel verandah posts, and wrapping the house from top to bottom in an insulating blanket that met the relevant Australian Standard. Metal shutters weren’t required because of the amount of space around the new home. Jan and Ken wanted to replace their destroyed house with a design that would appear traditional and mature as soon as it was built. The couple already knew about Paal’s termite-resistant steel-framed homes and had visited the company’s display centre. “Paal is a…

The nuclear family is changing and new living circumstances often require additions to the family home. Avoid the hassle and expense of extending an existing home by investing in a granny flat/Dependent Person Unit (DPU). Whether you are looking to have elderly parents closer to home or are giving teenagers their own personal space, these affordable units are a perfect solution. Units are designed for people of all ages, from young couples and singles to elderly parents or grandparents. They provide security and comfort for the elderly as they are close to loved ones, where families can provide assistance if needed. Young people also find they are a great option if money is an issue, as they can be built at a low price and then moved when a block…

Swenrick Constructions is proud of its range of granny flats, dependent persons’ units and cottages. Swenrick’s granny flats are quaint, comfortable and wellappointed residences that contain the latest features and appliances. They are perfect for a retirement villa, backyard cottage or teenage retreat. Prices start from lock-up at $25,975. Swenrick has built more than 4000 projects throughout Victoria. The company’s policy of design flexibility means clients can tailor plans to suit their own preferences, needs and budget. For your free brochure, call 03 8761 6610 or 5774 7066. Prices are subject to change without notice. Swenrick Constructions (Vic) 7/4 Royan Place, Bayswater North Vic 3153 Phone: 03 8761 6610 Fax: 03 9728 8285 Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Email: sales@swenrick.com.au Website: swenrick.com.au Display homes: 7 Buxton-Marysville Road, Buxton…

Nothing is more hypnotising or more comforting than the flickering flames of a fire in winter. Australian-owned company Sculpt Fireplace Collection combines luxury and comfort with its aesthetically pleasing fireplaces by French manufacturers JC Bordelet, Axis and Seguin. Sculpt Fireplace is intent on providing Australians with a dynamic collection of designer fires, broadening the market for people who want an interior that is finished with a high-end design aesthetic. Handmade in limited quantities, award-winning JC Bordelet fireplaces are dramatically suspended from the ceiling and aim to enhance the ambience and warmth of any living space. Made in the south of France, the contemporary new-age design of the Bordelet Tatiana 997 hanging wood fire is made from hand-shaped and spun steel. With a 180-degree viewing area and 360-degree pivot rotation option,…

Owner-builders Jason and Deborah Ahrens recently used the Boxspan sub-floor system, including the Ezi-Pier adjustable steel piers, supplied by Spantec, to build the floor frame for their dream home in Tasmania. Jason and Deborah made the move from north-eastern Victoria after falling in love with the picturesque landscapes of Tasmania during regular visits while preparing for working trips to Antarctica. A plumber by trade, Jason understood the importance of finding the best building materials to make his dream a reality. Jason opted for a kit home from Blusteel Homes because he wanted to enjoy the experience of building his own home from scratch. The site is steep, overlooking an orchard, with distant views of the Derwent River and Port Arthur. The steep site presented no problem for the Boxspan flooring…

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 great 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.…

WHAT CAN YOU AFFORD? Have you calculated your total budget, including legal fees, the cost of the land, land evaluation fees, rates and taxes, stamp duty, site works, landscaping and moving expenses? Do you qualify for finance and, if so, how much are you able to borrow? Find out if a bank, building society, mortgage broker or an independent financial adviser is the best option for you. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission consumer website, moneysmart.gov.au, is a great resource for people who need more information or advice about home loans. Have you allowed an extra 15 per cent to cover any unplanned additional expenses such as price increases or changes to your plans after building has commenced? Are you eligible for any financial assistance from the government to build…

Building a house can be one of the most daunting tasks you will ever face. However, if done properly, it can also be one of the most rewarding. Researching your builder’s background, developing a floorplan that suits your individual lifestyle, and calculating a realistic budget can be the difference between your ideal home and a living nightmare. Australia’s leading builders have given us their top 10 tips to help you make the right decisions before building your home. 1. YOUR LOAN Obtain a money loan that is suitable for you and consider your needs before making a decision. Chief executive officer of Hotondo Homes, Caroline Kennedy, says, “Think about important factors such as fixed rates, variable rates, re-draw capabilities and the length of the loan. Make sure the structure of…

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.…

Storybook Designer Homes loves knock down rebuild 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 Mt Eliza, Victoria, for a wonderful family with a couple of young children. This 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 their private office space featuring a cathedral ceiling and French doors, which open to a balcony. This design gives them the choice to work indoors or out and is just a few steps…

Designing and building top-quality homes that last and tick all the boxes for their clients is the essence of Graeme Alexander Homes. With more than 20 years in the business, the company is no stranger to difficult sites, tight access points and any other building problem that may arise. This issue, GA Homes celebrates another 10 years of building excellence, featuring four of its award-winning homes that have influenced many of their other designs throughout the past decade. Owner Graeme Alexander says the secret to the success of the company’s projects is designing around the client’s personal aspirations and tailoring designs to suit their specific site. Each project features simple lines and mediums, with practical flowing floorplans and choice of quality finishes and construction which still fulfil the brief provided…

SPACIOUS TOWNHOUSES BY THE BAY An old fibro holiday home was demolished to make way for two spacious townhouses close to Bayside’s beaches. The traditional exterior is built with a combination of Weathertex and Colorbond cladding, giving the townhouses a contemporary yet customary character. Each townhouse is complete with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus added luxurious features including designer kitchen, open living area, four-car garage and master bedroom with walk-in robe. The interior has a contemporary and coastal flair while also being extremely energy efficient with LED lighting, low-e glazing and northfacing living and outdoor areas. The homes are the perfect Bayside dwellings for large or small families with plenty of space and a cosy feel. COLORBOND® AND BEACHSTYLE HOMES Blue Hills Cottages recently expanded to include quirky and…

This seemingly humble South Yarra home is anything but ordinary. An architectural gem, the home is a four-level residence that incorporates “passive” energy-efficient design, complex and fully integrated services and building management systems in a visually stunning combination of materials with a challenging facade and interior elements. A true testament to the future of sustainable and innovative design, this home has set the benchmark high, winning the 2015 HIA CSR Victorian Housing Award for Victorian Custom Home of the Year $3M-$5M, and 2015 MBAV Award for Special Commendation. VISION AND DESIGN The owners took a leap of faith and decided to build a new house rather than renovate their existing abode in South Yarra. Architect Fiona Winzar says, “They gave incredible freedom and trust to design and detail their home…

The Tarkine range of homes represents the perfect design for families of all ages. Offering a well-balanced combination of materials, construction and affordability, the Tarkine 238 attracts a wide range of clientele. “The Tarkine is a versatile home with plenty of space, allowing it to grow as your family grows,” says Hotondo Homes building designer Natalie O’Shea. “It is a showcase of modern design and functionality, with a very luxurious feel and plenty of natural light.” The brief for the home was to create a design that would fit on a relatively narrow 12.5m-wide block while maintaining a contemporary and spacious feel. The open-plan kitchen, family and dining space connects to the study, and the entire area offers views of outdoor spaces. It makes the home appear much larger and…

This couple used Paal’s proven building system to construct their home, supported by the detailed instruction manual and outstanding customer service that backed them all the way. Owner David Marshman said they never felt daunted building their own home, and always felt it was within their capabilities. The couple were based in Alice Springs, where David enjoyed a long career as a pilot, later working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. With Paal’s help, the Marshmans had the confidence to extensively modify the original Hawkesbury design. “None of the design changes was difficult. We lengthened the house, created bigger bedrooms and modified the mid-section. The kitchen and lounge areas were switched over so the kitchen and house front face north,” explains David. “We added a double garage to the rear,…

FAIR DINKUM FEDERATION SERIES Featured here is the Caulfield, from a range of seven different sizes and floorplans. The 24-square (223m²) home is only $124,985 for the deluxe, 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 doors. The completely…

Granny flats tend to come with the preconception that their occupants are elderly adults. However, with the current housing crisis and higher tertiary education fees, many young adults are now choosing the option of living in a compact home. The Real Estate Institute of Victoria reports that the median house price hit $706,000 in 2015, so it’s no wonder the compact granny flat has become an economical option for young adults locked out of the housing market and those on tight budgets. Lee Janssen, owner of building and construction design company Avalon Granny Flats, says small homes are affordable and still provide residents with the option of independent living. “You’re able to have your own private space in a small home without having the cost of trying to get into…

Finding the perfect heating system can be a daunting task with the array of options that are available on the market. Homeowners now have a choice of gas, electrical, hydronic and wood heating systems, all equipped with many benefits and effectively preventing the cold from creeping indoors. Cost-efficiency is an important factor to consider when choosing a home heating system, and installation options, environmental factors as well as heating capacity contribute to the decision-making process. In the following pages we showcase a range of heating alternatives to help you find the system best for you, your home and your family. They offer state-of-the-art new technology and features in fluing, installation and style.…

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…

Building your new home is an exciting venture, one that takes time and careful preparation. It is therefore essential that you choose to build with only the best materials and products available. A solid floor is a vital component of constructing a solid home. Luckily, MEGAjoist has launched a new, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, long-span floor joist and rafter system. The new system is easy to install and provides ready-made service penetrations. It is available in pre-ordered lengths and can be docked in the factory or on-site as required. The patented product uses solid timber flanges and intermediate timber webs that are glued together to act as a solid element. This means the joist acts more like a timber beam than a truss, giving the completed floor system a more solid…

The saying goes that all good things take time. This is particularly true for homeowner and veteran architect Allan Lamb, whose property was a labour of love for two years. Allan and his wife, Desley, set out with no stressful deadlines or timeframes and enjoyed the process of making their vision a reality. Located on a serene and secluded oneacre plot among manna gums in Aireys Inlet, on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, is the Lambs’ exquisite and understated retirement home. The couple say they were introduced to the area when staying there with friends, and when it came time to build their retirement home they returned. “We wanted to find a spot that was a country location for our future retirement home,” Allan says. “My wife was keen on a…

Abuilding contract is an important legal document that forms an agreement between a builder and a 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 New South Wales, 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…

ENERGY-EFFICIENT DESIGN Solar Solutions Design exemplifies the ultimate energy-efficient homes with an emphasis on reflecting and respecting the natural environment and site conditions. Using a combination of textures and materials, the featured Upper Beaconsfield complements the surrounding area, resulting in an unobtrusive design that flows seamlessly into the landscape. The company incorporates energy efficiency into all of its house designs without compromising on style. Each design begins with a thorough site investigation, which takes into account the local climate and surroundings. Solar Solutions Design 03 9801 7247 SEAMLESS SANCTUARY This revamped country classic home in Marysville not only sets a high standard for luxury homes, but also reflects the town’s unique geographical setting and closely adheres to the client’s vision. Maximising the tranquil environment, this home is designed with the…

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 will look and feel like something out of an American 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, paying close attention to vital factors to ensure each need is met, from concept to completion, and an efficient plan is designed for you and the way you live. The featured home is just one of the many testaments to the inspiring designs created by American Home Designs.…

Knock down and rebuild projects are nothing new for Harkaway Homes — the company has completed many projects like this over the years. The featured home is the result of a total overhaul of an old dilapidated double-fronted Victorian cottage replaced by one of Harkaway Homes’ signature Victorian homes. The owners of the site, a family keen on gardening, loved the style and character of their original home but wanted to create a better floorplan to suit their lifestyle. The cost of renovating was unaffordable, so a knock down and rebuild project was decided upon. Harkaway Homes was the perfect choice for the family as an old-world look and charm is retained in the design, along with modern energy-efficient qualities. The new home is a 6-star-energy-rated home that also features…

Hedger Constructions has revamped a classic country home in Marysville that not only sets a high standard for luxury homes, but also reflects the town’s unique geographical setting. The clients were intent on maximising the tranquil environment of the local area and wanted to construct a home that had the dual purpose of acting as a retreat from their hectic work lives, while also facilitating a short-term holiday rental, the “Amazing Bush Accommodation”, for guests. Hedger Constructions implemented these components by integrating a sloping block and an external cladding of spotted gum and stone. The finishing touch was a rooftop garden that perfectly complemented the natural surroundings of the home in a seamless fashion. Attention to detail was very important to the clients and as the building progressed, so did…

The home of Bill McCorkell and family is special for a number of reasons. Built by Bill’s very own co-founded company, ArchiBlox, this ultra-modern Balaclava residence perfectly showcases modular design and extension in practice. Bill’s extension incorporated the addition of a second floor as well as a rear extension. Timing of completion for prefab building and extensions is one of the great advantages when comparing this to a traditional build or extension project. “As this was a bespoke solution with a modular component upstairs and traditional build downstairs, the overall build time was about eight months,” he says. Much of this reduction lies in holding costs such as rent and financing. For example, homeowners only need to find alternative accommodation for a significantly shorter period — several weeks as opposed…

Setting the standard for energy-efficient homes with luxurious appeal is what Solar Solutions Design does best. The featured home is just one such example, set in the sunny suburb of Palmerston in the Northern Territory. A light and airy design, this home uses the warm and sunny surrounding environment to its best advantage. Each component of the design and construction process deliberately uses the natural elements to enhance the home’s aesthetic appeal and energy conservation ability. Like all homes by Solar Solutions Design, this property has been designed specifically for the owners, the site and the climate. This young couple wanted a great energy-efficient house that respected their climate and was suitable for their two children and dogs. Solar Solutions Design made this a reality and incorporated into the design…

Extending over 14 squares, Swenrick Constructions’ Sea Haven design is a stylish, sleek and inviting option for a couple or family who want to bring a touch of the coast to their home build. With a walk-in robe and ensuite in the master bedroom, and built-in robes to the other two bedrooms, Swenrick Constructions has incorporated storage solutions that maximise the available space. The open-plan family, living and kitchen areas allow for individual touches to be made throughout the build, and floorplans can be further modified to suit individual preferences. Suiting both country and seaside living, the design of Sea Haven aims to promote a healthy outdoor lifestyle through durable building materials and design considerations. Aluminium awnings, sliding windows and sliding doors come in a range of colours to complement…

Brendon of Lilydale, Victoria, built Paal Kit Homes’ large Castlereagh design on a deeply sloping block and did a magnificent job of it. 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 and has attracted many favourable comments. The commanding outlook was achieved by positioning the house and deck on 88 steel piers that are nearly three metres high at the deck edge. Fascinated by the engineering side of the project and never daunted by challenges, Brendon taught himself new skills, including pier placement and support for the elevated timber flooring. He combined his long-service and annual leave to make a strong start on the…

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 floorplan 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 of…

BEFORE PURCHASING A WOOD HEATER, ASK YOURSELF: • How much heating do I need? • How big an area will it be heating? • Is my home well insulated? • Where will the wood come from and how much will it cost? When shopping around, take a copy of your floorplan with you. This will help retailers size a unit accurately and suggest the best position for installation. We all know Victorian winters can be challenging. Unlike the picture-perfect winter wonderland scenarios we see in the movies, Victorian winters are cold, wet and gloomy. There is a tendency to stay inside so ensuring your home is filled with cosy warmth is key to enjoying those relaxing days when snuggled up on the couch, Milo in hand. A wood heater is…

NATURAL LOOK Australia’s climates are harsh and varied so outdoor areas need materials that can stand up to rain, hail or shine. The new Urban Surface Collection by Amber Tiles is predicted as the latest and most advanced alternative to natural stone for those after a sophisticated outdoor living area that will last the test of time. Twice as thick as most tiles, the range is impact resistant and offers superior strength and durability, making it ideal for pool surrounds, driveways and other high-traffic areas in both residential and commercial applications. Available in a variety of formats, designs and trims, the collection offers a complete system for designing your new outdoor space. ambertiles.com.au SET THE MOOD Set the mood of any room with TÄNDA’s limited-edition timber and brass candles. Made…

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 ownerbuilders. 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…