Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 1 i Grand Designs Australia Building Guide

Are you thinking about or actively planning to build a new home or complex? If so, you‘ll need to consider choosing a designer. What difference will that make to the project? Whether it’s a new build or a renovation, a designer can choose the orientation of the building or layout that best takes advantage of the sun, prevailing breezes and all other aspects which ensure an energy-efficient structure. Conversely, design the building so that it minimises adverse weather conditions. CHOOSING REASONS Clients usually have an idea of what they want, and they could find their ideas transformed into something unique by a building designer. They are up to date on trends and what is working, and what is not. They can apply construction methods and techniques to minimise disruption to…

Whether it’s inside or outside the home, builders and designers have produced some amazing new trends and innovations using bricks. Experimenting with different sizes, colours and textures has allowed the creation of many stunning spaces and feature pieces in many homes. We take a look at just a few examples that highlight how bricks can be used in creative and innovative ways to enhance any given space. BLENDING MODERN WITH RUSTIC If you’re looking to create a rustic flair and an earthy vibe for your building, one common method that designers have been using is to combine the style with modern design elements. Take the Toodyay Shack, for example, one of the many stunning entrants from the 2017 Think Brick Awards Horbury Hunt Residential category. The home has a clear…

This home packs a lot of punch in the history department. Not only was it originally constructed nearly 70 years ago but it’s also seen many generations pass through its doors throughout the years. Handed down through the family, it came to Studio 15b (the architectural firm behind its refreshing facelift) with a request for a contemporary upgrade that would enable its current inhabitants to live comfortably and happily. “This home was built in the 1950s,” explains Allison Smith, architect at Studio 15b, “and over the years passed down the generations of the one family. Since it was originally built, the home had been altered in an ad-hoc way, and so the time had come for it to be stripped back to basics, raised, and built more specifically for today’s…

Transforming this post-war utilitarian brick home on the outskirts of Melbourne into a modern, functional and timeless abode was a big job, tackled expertly by architects, Bojan Simic Architecture, builder Frank Pty Ltd and interior designer Kate Walker Design. The brief here was to create a home that this family of five, two parents and three daughters under 12, could live comfortably in. As a family of entertainers, it was important that the home featured open spaces with lots of windows, while simultaneously offering spaces where family members could retreat to for alone time. This included five double bedrooms each with their own ensuites, separate study, powder room, mudroom/cloak room, formal living room, formal dining room, galley kitchen, separate butler’s pantry, separate pastry kitchen for the clients’ cake making business,…

For Debbie and Grahame, a couple with grown children who no longer live at home, turning this vacant piece of land into a home that spoke of contemporary living and cool, collected beachside calm, was exactly what they needed for the next stage in their lives. The couple wanted to downsize, moving from their inner Sydney pad to a beachside spot on the Sunshine Coast where they could embrace a sea-change and find comfort and solace in an easy breezy lifestyle. The, project — a design and construct home — includes three bedrooms — a master suite and two visitor bedrooms — two and a half bathrooms, a home office, double garage, open-plan kitchen, dining, living, alfresco space and a separate media room. The design also includes a medium-sized pool…

The popularity of Grand Designs Australia is driven by those who are looking for something special, something they can create which is about them and the way they want to live — not a cookie cutter version of the house next door, many of which sadly litter our suburbs around the country. Creating a special place to call home requires personal involvement, however unless you are trained as an architect or designer, you may not end up with the best results. You can do your research on the style you like, the finishes you want and the furnishings you desire, and by all means get involved, but by leaving the technical and artistic creation of your design to a professional, you will without doubt achieve a superior project. 6 ISSUES…

Passive House is a voluntary standard for constructing buildings that delivers high levels of thermal comfort and indoor air quality along with very low energy use. It is known as a ‘fabric first’ approach, that is, by getting the skin of the building right everything else can fall into place. The standard originates from Europe where it is known as passivhaus. It has expanded rapidly since 1992, to a wide range of building types including high rise apartments, schools, offices, hotels, swimming pools and a police station. There are currently more than 40,000 certified Passive House buildings around the world. If you visit a Passive House (International Passive House Day is held in June and November each year) and speak with a resident, they won’t espouse the low energy benefits…

Ask anyone: materials are crucial in the success of a space. Arguably, none more so than the benchtop of a kitchen. When it came down to the surfaces for Bianca Surace and Cameron Feild’s Glen Iris home, the choice was easy. Zenstone’s Aurea Stone collection offered the flexibility in design and aesthetic to be the “wow” factor of their kitchen. Realistic vein definition of “Spirals” stone was the closest representation of natural marble they’d seen and offered a silk finish they adored. Aurea Stone is the only quartz with high-definition character movement with sharp, tight lines and a translucency equivalent to real marble. The material creates a three-dimensional appearance, with indications of depth evident through soft colour undertones beneath the surface. The grainless surface results in a better light reflection…

Choosing the right roof product for your home is key, because roofing provides thermal comfort. It’s also part of the overall visual landscape that makes up a home’s exterior, so it’s important to select a roofing option that complements the architectural style of the home, in a colour and material that bodes well with other design elements. There is a plethora of stylish materials on offer; those most commonly found in Australia are made from sheeting material like metal, or tiles including shingle, terracotta (ceramic) and concrete. SAY IT WITH STEEL There’s nothing like the gentle pitter patter of raindrops on a steel roof. But there’s a lot more to steel roofing than its raw beauty and calming acoustics. Many Australian homes are constructed with steel for good reason, among…

Australians are well known for being early adopters of new technology, and with smart homes increasingly becoming more intuitive, offering ease of living and greater connectivity, we’re eagerly embracing the trend. It’s important to bear in mind, however, that incorporating automation into your home project is best done at the very beginning. The later into a build you leave it, the more work could be needed undoing (or it may even be too late), so be sure to include it in your early plans. Truly smart homes build on the concept of personal assistants like Google Home, a wifi speaker that’s also a smart home hub — it can control the lights or set timers, for example. But the ultimate in smart homes creates a network of controllable automated devices…

There are many different factors to take into consideration when choosing a site on which to build, and these will vary according to the type of building — whether it be a retreat in the country, a beach house, a family home in the suburbs or a more urban development. Here are some of the key things to consider when choosing your site. SUNLIGHT Once the location has been decided, and the search for the right property has begun, try to remember to think about aspect. Try to understand where north is in relation to your garden and living spaces — get a compass app on your phone to determine this. Look at where neighbouring buildings cast shadows during the day, evaluate what the access to natural light is like…

In a first for the tile industry, National Tiles has collaborated with one of the most trusted home design brands, Grand Designs, to release a specially curated collection, the Grand Designs Capsule Collection, for National Tiles. This unique collaboration brings together the best in quality and design, as well as practicality and aff ordability. With a focus on tiles for floors, walls and splashbacks for indoor and outdoor use, the collection also includes National Tiles’ newly released timber flooring range. Each tile and timber flooring design is selected for its relevance to the Australian marketplace, in keeping with the design excellence and cutting-edge creativity for which the Grand Designs brand is renowned. The collection features a range of tiles from leading manufacturers across the globe, along with ethically sourced and…

Tackling the overhaul of a home that is built into the side of a rock face is no easy feat. However, that is exactly what was required of Bijl Architecture in this Castlecrag home in Sydney, an area that’s famed for its luxury homes built into the craggy headland. The body of work undertaken here included the complete refurbishment of the interior and exterior as well as the reconfiguration of the floor plan. All this was to happen without making any structural changes, except for some very minor tweaks to the structural beams to create height in the ceiling in the lower ground floor space. “The floor plan layout was an utter mess,” explains Bijl Architecture director and principal architect Melonie Bayl-Smith. “And the internal spaces were dark and dingy.…

Designed by Little Brick Studio and built by Swell Constructions, this innovative creation offers its new inhabitants — a young family complete with an old King Charles spaniel — somewhere truly special to come home to. The owners’ brief asked for a home that nestled privately among the surrounding trees. They wanted to maximise the views over the valley, where there are often wedge-tailed eagles playing in the thermals, all the while utilising natural materials to create a unique and modern design for the property’s new homeowners. The body of work included an upper entry level that consists of a master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, a guest bedroom with separate ensuite, a powder room, walk-in linen closet, a study, kitchen with butler’s pantry, open lounge and dining area,…

Welcome to Gremmo Homes’ new display offering, built to leave an impression thanks to its architectural detailing and landscaping. “Our objective was to create a contemporary design with a relaxed feel,” says Richard Gremmo of the functional home that’s easy on the eye. “There are finishes and inclusions that you wouldn’t usually find in a display home. We have more than 20 years of experience as a custom home builder and we are well aware of the design concepts and inclusions that are both popular and also functional.” The Gremmo team worked diligently to form a flexible layout capable of modification as the circumstances — and occupants — change. Wide formed stairs lead from the footpath to the entry, where a double-storey glazed vestibule dominates the facade. A duo of…

What was once a dark and gloomy Californian bungalow in Melbourne’s inner suburbs has been transformed into a spectacular architectural feat. The existing home was particularly poorly connected to its outdoor spaces, which for its new owners was a definite no-no. Given the new inhabitants were from overseas, and had never lived in Australia before, connection to the natural environment was high on their list of priorities in the new design. So, when this family of six — two parents, two teenagers and their two cats — moved in and began communicating with their architects, they made it clear how important the outdoors was to them. And the result is an excellent example of an abode that integrates expertly into its surroundings. “They wanted to feel immersed in the unique…

Bush camping around Australia is a poetic experience. The country is beautiful — majestic even. The landscape is visually intriguing and achingly alluring at times. Beaches, waterholes and rivers beckon visitors. Towering canyons and limitless deserts charm with their grandeur. But on the other side of its earthy coin, there is a hostility. The country is vast, untamed and unrelenting. Rugged coastlines meet forests that bear the burden of blackened trunks. And the battle the wilderness faces with the seasons and their elements is never-ending it seems: stuck in a cycle of challenges and hardship. For anybody lucky enough, and I daresay brave enough to get connected to this outdoors in an intimate way, the rewards are pretty exceptional. She may be a hard nut to crack, but for those…

For this family of three, living in Sydney’s Newtown was particularly well-suited to their lifestyle. A couple with a young child, Newtown’s funky, vibrant lifestyle worked well for them. They loved the area, but the original home was lacking somewhat to fulfill the needs of their busy young family. The original home was a single-storey worker’s cottage, which had been renovated once a few years previously. Ultimately, it was a too much of a tight squeeze for its inhabitants, now. At only 12 metres by 12 metres, this is an exceptionally small site. While Newtown was a place the family knew they wanted to live, the home’s layout and spatial aspect was not working for them. A shared love of mid-century architecture and a desire to enhance their living space…

An engineered timber building product, often referred to as ‘jumbo ply’ because of the nature of its construction, cross laminated timber (CLT) is widely used internationally, particularly in Europe. CLT consists of strips of wood, edge-glued together to form panels, which are then placed over each other at right angles (think of these component panels as the veneers in plywood and you’ll get the idea). They are then face-glued and pressed to create large CLT panels — the size of which is theoretically limited only by the size of the press and the ability to transport the large panels. In practice, however, CLT panels typically range up to 16 metres in length, 3 metres in width and up to 0.5 metres thick. Most of the CLT currently available is softwood,…

Dipping your toes into a sparkling swimming pool on a sunny afternoon, or sitting poolside with a long cool drink chatting to friends, are pretty hard to beat. Contemporary swimming pools meet these requirements and plenty more — they’re an extension of the home and an entertaining space, a relaxing spot for friends and family to gather, or a quiet retreat for homeowners to enjoy. HEALTHY HABITS There are plenty of good reasons to install a swimming pool, one of the best of which is that by having a pool outside your back door, there’s no excuse not to get some exercise. Swimming is a great way to boost heart health and build muscle strength, plus it’s low impact, so it can be enjoyed no matter what your age. If…

It isn’t always easy to define a brief at the outset of a project. As with any relationship, good communication is key to creating trust and confidence. It’s a good idea to try and write a brief before you contact any architect about providing professional services. This establishes a framework for discussion regarding timing, budget and process — which are essential items to agree from the outset. Your list should start with the macro and finish with the micro. All designs start from the big-picture or concept and as they are developed drill down into the detail. So, if you’re engaging an architect, remember that designing and building any project is a process that takes a lot of time and happens in stages. A project can take anywhere from 12…

If you‘re in the position to design and build a new home, consider the future of your family and how that home will successfully accommodate life’s changes such as having children, housing grandchildren and grandparents, taking care of elderly parents. When designing your new home or renovation, your house plans could even consider extended family being accommodated for holiday occasions. What if your office job became your own home business? Your custom design may have to include an office area or a space that can be flexible to status change. CHANGES Don’t limit your custom-designed home plans to the growth of your family, either. Recent research reveals how people will live in the future and while the look of homes may stay relatively the same, their functionality and ability to…

This original 1970s build sits overlooking Ruffey Lake Park in Doncaster and, while its surroundings are beautiful, offering the home a magnificent north-facing outlook, the rundown, cramped nature of the house was failing to give its five inhabitants enough space to live comfortably together. The existing space was clunky and difficult to live in with too many awkward areas that weren’t space-effective, making them difficult to use and furnish. The previous design had a balcony that faced out to the front porch, meaning the homeowners constantly had their curtains closed for privacy, sadly ensuring they missed out on a beautiful view of the park and reserve. The original frontage and interior were outdated, dark and stuck in the past. So, when Inbetween Architecture came on board to help these homeowners…

This beautiful terraced home has been in existence since 1890, so when its homeowners — a semi-retired couple who often have visiting children and grandchildren — embarked on transforming it to become a comfortable, contemporary home, they needed to find the right architects for the job. Someone who’d understand the challenges of renovating an old building, and someone who’d deliver on designing with heritage restrictions. “Designing in a heritage conservation area is a challenge,” explains Georgina Wilson of Georgina Wilson Architect, “particularly with an existing disconnected floor plan spread across several levels. Our firm of architects worked with advice from Planning and Heritage, followed by working closely with a structural engineer and an excellent, experienced building team to bring it to completion.” The body of work called for creating a…

Turning what used to be a two-storey duplex with a carport at the rear into three liveable townhouses in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Balmain was a job that required a collaborative effort from a large team of experienced practitioners. Each of these three townhouses was to contain two bedrooms each. “House A and house C have two bathrooms,” explains Terence Yong, architect at TY Architecture, “one being an ensuite, whereas house B has a common bathroom. House A has a front terrace and two balconies, house B has a reasonably sized, north-facing terrace and a Juliet balcony and house C has a generous, north-facing grassed garden.” Inspiration for the designs came from the surrounding area of Sydney’s inner suburb of Balmain, which has long been synonymous with cool, stylish creatives.…

This heritage reinvention sits in a prime beachside location and offers its homeowners a spectacular reinvention of a beach house. The original home was not providing for this family of five with their teenage children and dog. It was too small, not contemporary, large, or open-plan enough to satisfy their needs for a weekend and holiday home. The homeowners also wanted to include a pool and a green roof in the new design. While the homeowners were open to the idea of adapting the original heritage property to suit their needs, they also wanted to ensure that the heritage nature of the design did not dictate the design of the new home. “The original house was built around 1915 in the Arts and Crafts style and is a listed heritage…

When the owners of this stunning country home first approached Wojcicki Constructions to quote on their build, it quickly became apparent that their plans, after 12 months in development, were devastatingly beyond their budget. Project Manager, Yuliya Wojcicki explains, “People are often reluctant to appoint a builder from the start, preferring to work with their architect or draftsman to complete their design first – but in fact, engaging your builder early in the process is the best way to ensure your dream home is realised within budget. “This is exactly what custom home builders do, and they can find creative solutions during the design process that preserve your budget without compromising your design vision.” The Melbourne couple, seeking a quieter life in the country, made the difficult decision to scrap…

This home goes above and beyond in its commitment to sustainability. Making the most of a fairly uncommon, but highly sustainable building material called hempcrete, Envirotecture — the eco architects behind this home — showcase how an energy-efficient home can be comfortable, sophisticated and above all sustainable. The home is what Dick Clarke, Envirotecture’s principal, calls an “Aussie vernacular cottage evolved into a high-performance zero net energy home”. The home was built for Chris and Kerrie, a professional couple who were looking to create a space to call their own. The idea was to build something that made the most of the beautiful view, while also creating an unparalleled connection to the outdoors surrounding the plot. “We were asked to take advantage of the view over creek and hills, pointing…

Think back to being a kid. Chances are you have a lot more outdoor memories than in your adult life. Whether it was making mud pies in the backyard or playing with friends in the local park, our younger selves were generally less affected by the constraints of walls. As we grow up, we become enclosed by the walls of schools, offices, apartments, shopping centres — all with full control of lighting and airflow, protecting us from germs and weather. Shelter is a basic human requirement, but have we gone too far in removing ourselves from natural elements? It seems counterintuitive to ignore the benefits we’ve evolved to gain from nature. The standard office building can have negative health and productivity effects caused by toxic fumes, lack of natural light…

The cladding you choose directly affects a home’s overall aesthetic, and in turn largely influences its architectural style and subsequent perceived value. But cladding does far more than that — just like roofing, it protects a home and everything in it, from sun, wind and rain, as well as toxins and pollutants. It also helps to insulate your home from external noise and has a fire-retardant value. CLADDING OPTIONS Choices available for cladding materials include metal, stone, timber, vinyl, mudbrick, brick, render and glass or cement. The versatility of these means creating your home your way is ultimately highly achievable. From a simple rustic mudbrick home with its earthy organic air-dried bricks, to a stylish contemporary rendered home, or even a designer embossed shimmering metal-clad home — anything is possible.…

It’s a key component, by the very virtue of its size, and the fact that homeowners connect with it every step they take. When choosing flooring, considerations like ongoing maintenance, long-term durability, wear, texture, and colour-fastness also weigh into the decision. Generally flooring is divided into two distinct groups — soft flooring (carpeting and rugs) and hard flooring (concrete, tiles, timber, engineered timber, and stone). SOFT AND SUMPTUOUS Beautiful plush carpeting underfoot is still often a popular option — and for good reason. It has thermal benefits and it’s also an excellent choice for acoustic buffering. The variety of carpeting options available in a diverse range of colours, textures, pile heights, loops and materials — means it offers a stylish contemporary flooring material. Marlo Litchfield, from Prestige Carpets, says for…