Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 6 i Grand Designs Australia Building Guide

TopOcean Wood Industry specialises in supplying premium particle board products for the furniture and interior design industries. With a dedicated manufacturing base overseas and established warehouses in Sydney and Melbourne, they provide local stock availability and fast delivery to meet the needs of Australian builders, cabinet makers and designers. They also offer custom colour and finish options, enabling designers and manufacturers to achieve the exact look and feel their projects require. The TopOcean technical team works closely with clients to provide material guidance and ensure every board performs to its highest potential. Dedicated to quality and sustainability, every panel is crafted with precision to ensure excellent stability, moisture resistance and a refined surface finish that suits a wide range of applications. The company’s upcoming No Added Formaldehyde (NAF) particle board,…

I conic interior designer and influencer Bec Judd has teamed up with Big Ass Fans to share Bec’s “Fan Favourites” when it comes to enhancing the features of your home with timeless style and design. Want a home that feels polished, put-together, and never goes out of style? It’s all about making smart, stylish choices from the start. Here’s Bec’s no-fuss guide to choosing timeless pieces that look gorge today, tomorrow and years down the track. 1. INVEST IN QUALITY & VERSATILITY Let’s be honest, fast furniture just doesn’t cut it. When you’re building the bones of your space, opt for pieces that are both high-quality and versatile. A well-made fan, a solid dining table or a beautiful armchair isn’t just functional — it’s foundational. Choose items that can evolve…

Inspired by principles of industrial and Brutalist design and built by Gremmo Homes, this abode utilises a combination of natural materials, bold colours and contrasting textures to create a one-of-a-kind space. The visual impact upon entering the home is immediate, largely thanks to a concrete feature wall. The textured wall was made by imprinting the wet concrete with planks of sawn oregon wood. Largeform marble tiles were predominantly used throughout the ground floor to add brightness to the space, while marble slabs create the numerous stairs connecting the varying levels of the ground floor. The sheer size and weight of these slabs provided logistical challenges, but the team from Gremmo Homes have executed the installation to perfection. Likewise, the back-lit LED lighting design required expert handling and impeccable attention to…

Preserving the beauty of an older home while marrying it to a contemporary addition can be a challenge. In this renovation from Sarah Bryant, architect, and Tom Minifie, graduate architect, the original property needed more than a little TLC. “The house was in disrepair,” Sarah says. “The cabinetry was falling apart, there were leaking roofs, and there was a dead possum in the skylight!” Initially, Sarah had thought to recommend a minor upgrade, but it quickly became apparent that this Edwardian gem needed a little more love and a complete makeover to create a long-term living option for the occupants, a busy couple and their three children. The clients trusted Sarah to produce the best results for the project, delivering her a very open-ended brief — so long as the…

Whether you are downsizing, upsizing, investing, or taking that first step on the property ladder, there are many reasons why people decide to build. From budget to timelines, design processes and sourcing the right builder, it can feel like a daunting prospect. But it need not be. With the right can-do attitude and an understanding of how the process works, you’ll be off to a flying start. Pick a place Site location and orientation are important in design. Before you rush out and buy a block of land, you need some basic understanding of how these factors play into design and comfort. Dr Fiona Gray from Bioliving by Design says orientation plays a key role in maximising natural light. “This not only reduces the need for artificial lighting, but also…

Providing convenience, outstanding design and high performance, Husky is the leading brand for quality refrigeration in both residential and commercial settings. Husky offers a vast range of refrigeration options including home fridge and freezer models, fun retro-style fridges, outdoor chilling options and specialised wine fridges. They even boast a range of commercial-grade refrigeration options, so they have you covered from work to play. The Husky Eco Back Bar Drinks Chiller combines advanced cooling performance with exceptional energy efficiency, saving up to 65 per cent energy compared to standard models. The Eco Drinks Chiller enhances the efficiency and style of your entertainment or commercial area with its durable build and sleek design. It’s the perfect choice for those looking to secure eco-conscious options without compromising on performance. Whether you’re looking for…

This modern residence sits proudly on its site in a whisper-quiet urban location. It integrates nature into its form. Ground-floor openings serve to connect to leafy courtyards, and the upper level has extended views of the greenspace beyond in the adjoining nature reserve. When a project stands the test of time, that’s a true measure of its success. This family of six love their home, even more than they did when they moved in eight years ago. Architect Patrick Gheorghiu says the homeowners’ brief was to take inspiration from Japanese architecture. “The design draws on traditional Japanese architectural philosophies that emphasise simplicity, harmony, and a strong connection to nature,” notes Patrick. It achieves a beautiful sense of serenity. “It supports a lifestyle that allows both people and nature to flourish,”…

Setting aside aesthetics, what would you consider the most important factors when creating your dream home? If your wish list includes comfort, low energy bills, sustainability and security, Paarhammer has you and your home covered with its Australian-made high-performance windows and doors. Maintaining stable indoor temperatures and eliminating draughts will ensure your home remains comfortable all year round, while minimising unwanted noise and generating a healthier indoor environment. Features like double-or-triple-glazed windows and doors increase the value of your home. Paarhammer has created five individual ranges of custom-made high-performing products since its inception in 1990. Architectural Timber Range This range provides the opportunity to make “giants” in lift-slide doors for the perfect indoor-outdoor connection. Even at 400kg per slider, each slider glides easily and can also be automated. Low-E double…

When the owners of this gorgeous property decided to build their dream home on the Gold Coast, they did not follow the conventional path of hiring a builder from start to finish. Instead, they partnered with Imagine Kit Homes, a Queensland-based company redefining how Australians approach home building, and in doing so created a masterpiece that went on to win Master Builders Queensland’s 2023 Award for Best Use of Steel Frame Housing. A Vision Built by Hand Perched in the hinterland with sweeping views and a striking modern profile, The Varley is proof that an ownerbuilt home can rival anything produced by major builders. The owners took on the challenge of managing the construction themselves, guided by Imagine Kit Homes’ clear systems and engineering-driven design process. Every element of The…

To source the right windows and doors for your house, it’s wise to adopt a holistic approach. Look for products that will meet your lifestyle needs, as well as those that will work aesthetically with the rest of your home. Choose windows and doors that optimise energy efficiency, offer durability and are low maintenance. A door can add a beautiful bespoke design feature to a dwelling; it can offer a commanding presence and define a look. A stunning window can transform an uninspiring space into something quite extraordinary. It can invite in warm, welcoming sunlight or provide a beautiful frame around a picturesque view. Glass as art Unique-shaped windows make a confident design statement. So if you are looking for something different, go beyond the rectangular. Windows can be arched,…

This reimagined heritage home embraces modern family living. It’s contemporary, with generous living spaces and room for a growing family. When the homeowners first purchased this modest fixer-upper, they knew it needed work — and lots of it. But they also knew with the right design team onboard, they could unlock its potential and help them to build the home of their dreams. The heritage abode is part of the Claremont Avenue heritage precinct. It was in a poor state of neglect. The walls were stained with cigarette smoke and mould was ever present. Andy Dal Pozzo, architect and director of Pepper & Well, says the only toilet was outside at the back of the block. “This meant there were many cold winter nights where one had to make the…

Amonolithic abode that at first glance appears imposing. But pause a beat and let your mind absorb the soft folds and fluid serenity of the design, and it all makes sense. The residence is located on a busy urban street, across the road from a school and among a mix of diverse architectural styles. Given such a thriving neighbourhood, privacy was important. This statement abode has plenty of street appeal, with an impressive presence in the streetscape. Feras Raffoul, director of FGR Architects, says the client wanted a private, tranquil retreat within an energetic urban setting. “Privacy, natural light, openness and refined materiality were all priorities, with a desire for the home to feel sculptural while remaining liveable and welcoming,” he says. “Privacy, natural light, openness and refined materiality were…

This cool and modern family home is filled with warmth, light, and a family with two small children who are enchanted with their new abode. The modest single-storey bungalow that once stood on the block is unrecognisable thanks to a complete renovation that also included an expansive extension. Jonathan James, director of James Design Studio, says the bungalow had undergone several unsympathetic renovations over the years. “The house had reached a point in its lifecycle where it was in desperate need of a new lease on life,” he says. When Jonathan first met the family, it became apparent right away what the design vision would be. “The clients were warm, engaging individuals, and from the outset it was clear that their fun and playful nature would inform the spirit of…

O ’Shea & Sons Builders was recognised with four major awards at the 2025 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards, held in July at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Celebrating excellence in building and construction, the awards highlighted O’Shea & Sons’ outstanding contributions to the industry. As the most awarded builder on the night, O’Shea & Sons’ success reflects the business’s innovation, craftsmanship and commitment to quality. In addition to the accolades collected at the Brisbane awards, O’Shea & Sons was also awarded two prestigious awards at the 2025 Master Builders Queensland awards. The first was for Best Residential Swimming Pool (Kamares sto Appia), while the second crowned Kamares sto Appia the winner in the Individual Home from $2.5 million to $3 million category. O’Shea & Sons Builders…

“The homeowners sought to incorporate a French farmhouse aesthetic that would seamlessly complement both the existing structure and the new addition”—Christopher Gyzemyter This design meets the diverse needs of the family who call it home and is indeed a celebration of contemporary living. Pre-renovation, this 1930s bungalow was perched on the parcel of land surrounded by beautiful lush greenery, including a large gum that was more than 300 years old. Surrounded by such a beautiful leafy oasis, and just five minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, it’s little wonder the owners decided to remain and upsize their dwelling to cater for family living. As part of the design brief, the homeowners wanted to preserve the aesthetic and charm of the original bungalow. Christopher Gyzemyter from CG Design Studio says they also wanted…

Modular momentum is growing and Saltair Modular is proud to be part of it. In fact, Saltair Modular is one of only a handful of manufacturers pre-approved under CommBank’s new Assessed Manufacturers policy. This new approach means clients can now access up to 80 per cent of the contract value (or 150 per cent of land equity) in progress payments before the modular home even reaches site. This is about more than lending; it’s about recognising modular construction as a serious, scalable solution to Australia’s housing challenge — reducing build times from 18 months to as little as 10-12 weeks, cutting waste and delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes. Saltair manages the entire process in-house — from approvals and design to manufacture and installation — so projects move faster, with fewer risks…