Innehållsförteckning för June Issue #24.3 från BuildHome

Energy efficiency should always be a priority, a fact supported by certain building codes and various ratings systems. In NSW we have BASIX, a sustainability tool which measures a home against targets based on the NSW home benchmark average. And there is the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) star rating system which uses software to model a home based on climate, orientation and building fabric to estimate potential energy consumption. With energy costs spiraling, ensuring your home has optimum thermal performance, making it as cheap as possible to heat, cool and light, is vital. In this edition, we take a look at sustainable home design and how you can achieve maximum energy efficiency. For the novice owner-builder, a modular home can be a savvy choice. Basically, the main components…

When we talk about insulation, many people think of the old fibreglass pink bats. However, insulation is not just for keeping the house warm in winter and cool in summer; it can save you money, with less dependence on mechanical heating and cooling devices, and it is a great sound insulator. For the most effective results, insulation is required in the ceiling, walls and under the floors. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) requires houses to have minimum R-value ratings on materials used in the construction of buildings. The R-value is basically a measure of resistance of heat flow through to the thickness of the material: the higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance. So what type should we use? TYPES OF INSULATION There are many types of home…

When the homeowners approached Chateau Architects & Builders, they had a clear vision of the style of home they wanted to build — luxurious with modern innovation, but also with a sense of old-world charm. They envisioned a space in keeping with the character of builds of yesteryear, with intricate attention to detail underscoring every element in the design. With traditional wrap-around balconies, 3.6m-high ceilings in the formal rooms, a Shaker-style traditional profile to the cabinetry throughout, traditional decorative fireplaces and sophisticated detail, this bespoke design from Chateau is a visual feast of modern building mastery infused with age-old charisma. There are many divine features throughout this home. There is a wine cellar, custom timber windows with hopper window highlights, chair rails with plaster panelling underneath, traditional high skirting boards,…

This is a home that makes an unforgettable first impression. From the eye-catching raked roof to the stunning glass-panelled entry, the look is striking and the street appeal is undeniable. Built by Finesse Home Builders, this grand, remarkable two-storey residence is home to a working family who wanted something that would be tailored to the way they like to live and entertain. And they wanted a builder with an eye for detail and a proven track record for high-quality custom builds. The clients found Finesse through word of mouth. The company had previously built a home for a friend of theirs who was extremely happy with the quality and finishes and was eager to refer Finesse. The brief the clients gave was to create the house of their dreams —…

Offering luxury at every turn, the Miami 16 provides everything today’s family needs — all across a single level. The generously proportioned Miami is part of the McDonald Jones Homes’ Stuart Everitt Portfolio and its unique design sets it apart from the rest. The home boasts multiple open-plan living spaces which are located at the rear, where they flow into the alfresco cabana, establishing an effortless connection between interior and exterior spaces. The master suite is also located at the rear of the residence. This keeps the parents’ personal space separate from the children’s bedroom wing so they can enjoy some peace and privacy. The children’s “zone” is located at the front and side of the home and includes a cleverly positioned children’s activity room and separate study nook. The…

Gremmo Homes’ latest, most impressive display home, which was awarded 2017 HIA-CSR NSW Home of the Year, began with a simple concept. “Our objective was to create a contemporary design with a relaxed feel,” says Richard Gremmo. “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 functional. We have worked hard to create an adaptable layout that can be easily adjusted to accommodate unique circumstances, such as narrow-width lots and sloping sites.” The central living room, with its fireplace, bar and views of the adjacent pool and landscaped garden, is the heart of the home. The…

Harkaway Homes is proud of the help they give to their clients to achieve the “Great Australiana Dream”, whether that means building a home in the country that is surrounded by open space or on an inner suburban block close to shops and cafes. As designers and suppliers, Harkaway Homes offers architecturally designed houses with the charm and character of the Victorian and early-Federation eras, along with the conveniences of modern-day living and building technologies. From the Fair Dinkum Federation series, this elegant Harkaway home captures the charm of the Federation era with its distinctive steep, angled bell roofline, front-return and side verandah. Box-bay casement windows, timber friezes and leadlight windows also feature, adding even more character and timeless appeal to the home. Sitting proudly on a 40-acre property in…

Joe Simundza of Southern Belle Constructions, who describes himself as a conventional old-school carpenter/builder, is right at home doing cut-on-site framing and pitched roofing. He’s building another house for his family at Church Point in Sydney’s north and, in doing so, he is drawing on his 36 years of experience — and his love of a challenge. The site of Joe’s new home has a 22-degree slope, which, when you reach the bottom third, becomes a 30-degree fall. “You can walk along the top part but it’s hard-going. I’ve built a number of homes on steep blocks like this but they’ve been timber pole homes,” says Joe with a smile. One of these pole homes was so impressive, it was featured on the TV show Best Homes Australia. In addition…

Everyone has heard of kit and modular homes, but many aren’t aware of the difference between them. While kit homes cover a range of price points, they can be a cost-effective option for people who need to keep an eye on the budget, and they typically offer speedier construction times. They’re also a good option for the owner-builder or owner-manager, as are modular homes that come ready to connect. We explore both options. WHAT IS A KIT HOME? Kit homes are constructed in the usual way, which means the materials and components are brought to your block of land and the home is built from the ground up. “Put simply, a kit home is a package of materials that is delivered to site for the owner-builder, owner-manager or professional builder,…

This home is spacious, contemporary, cleanlined and functional — with a sprinkling of luxury thrown in for good measure. For the retired couple who own this property, a home that ticked the opulence box was important. The homeowners wanted a residence that presented beautifully and would comfortably accommodate themselves and their grown-up sons when they came to visit. To bring their vision to life, the couple looked to Bellmarch Homes. This decision was based on the glowing referrals of other clients and the company’s excellent track record of building exceptional luxury homes in and around Sydney. This four-storey home is situated in Terrigal on the Central Coast of NSW, a much sought-after corner of the world that is less than a two hours’ drive from Sydney’s CBD. Not only that,…

The Aurora from Buildcraft Constructions is a bold, contemporary and functional home that pushes the boundaries of design and construction. The goal was to create a flexible and stylish home to suit the needs of the modern Australian family. As such, it had to be able to provide for a family’s needs as they changed and evolved over the years. Just as important was a design that would never date. In meeting this brief, the architectural elements of the house were allowed to shine in their own right, delivering a home that skilfully integrates clean lines, contemporary materials and well-considered colours. Inspiration for The Aurora was drawn from Buildcraft’s popular design The Sterling. Many of the successful elements of the home’s floor plan were retained with a host of innovative…

The Hamptons-style Mayfield MKIII from Rawson Homes is perfectly poised to meet the varied — and changing — needs of the modern family. As a stand-alone dwelling, the Mayfield suits young families and first-home buyers with narrower lots. Join it with the granny flat, however, and the home is ideal for extended families and multi-generational living where in-laws and parents are invited into the fold, or buyers looking to upgrade to a new home who might choose to live in one dwelling and rent the other out. In this instance, the versatile four-bedroom two-storey Mayfield, along with an attached single-storey two-bedroom secondary dwelling (granny flat), fits comfortably on a 500m² corner lot, blending seamlessly to form the impression of a single and rather grand family home. The Mayfield offers an…

Suited to almost any location — be it a farm, suburbia, acreage or beachfront — Storybook Designer Homes’ residences are always inviting. In fact, the attic-style houses on offer at Storybook Designer Homes look like they’ve jumped straight out of a picture book. Boasting a team of highly experienced and professional staff, the company strives to please and accommodate all of its clients. It understands that designing and planning are the most important aspects of building a new home — or adding an extension to an existing property. Whether you’re looking for a modern or traditional-style residence, the company has a design to suit. And while there are more than 2000 designs to choose from, Storybook Designer Homes remains focused on providing an individual design service for all clients. According…

Ensuring optimal energy efficiency and thermal performance is now a priority when building a new home. Here, Ian Fry from Frys Energywise explains why it is important and answers some of the most commonly asked questions WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ENSURE YOUR NEW HOME IS ENERGY-EFFICIENT? “Whether you are contemplating a new home or planning a renovation, designing and constructing the home with energy efficiency in mind can save you thousands in energy costs,” says Ian. “The home will function efficiently from the moment you move in as well as for many years to come, which will add value in the long run. In NSW, for example, homes currently account for approximately 17 per cent of the state’s energy consumption. By making our homes more energy efficient, it will…

Building a 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, products and systems available. A solid floor is an essential component of a solid home. Luckily, MEGAjoist has launched a 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, thereby giving the completed floor system a more solid…

A well-designed and sturdily built home is often said to have “good bones”, meaning its underlying structure is well planned and sound. These days, however, a bit more is required of architects and builders. With climate change pressing ever more firmly on our rooftops, future-proofing your home is becoming imperative. This process of anticipating future developments to minimise negative consequences is crucial as cities become overcrowded and housing is pushed to the limit. GETTING THE DESIGN RIGHT Melbourne-based Zen Architects specialises in ecologically sustainable design (ESD), architecture that does its best to protect biodiversity and the future of environmental resources. ESD consultant Erika Bartak says, “I like to think of sustainable design as good design and not necessarily about bolt-on technology. Being comfortable and healthier, not wasting lots of money…

There are countless benefits to working from home — no daily commute or annoying co-workers among them — but there can be challenges. For example, if you have a house full of children, getting peace and quiet in those tumultuous hours before and after school can be near impossible. Building an office in the garden can be a great solution and it’s one that increasing numbers of Australians are doing. Your garden can provide a light-filled and serene space in which to work. In a large garden, an office can be nestled into the landscape and located some distance from the home, but even in smaller outdoor spaces, an office can be seamlessly integrated. Some garden offices are pre-fabricated pods, some are converted shipping containers, others are custom-built structures. But…

This luxurious home was designed to make the most of a 2000m² block, including manicured gardens, a tennis court and a swimming pool. The homeowner’s meticulous vision for the build was met by Young Homes, who created a home worthy of its elegant surroundings. A large, impressive entry with an open void above leads you into the luxury abode in which all living spaces have ceilings between 3.2m and 3.7m high. The ceilings in the family room, dining room, home theatre and living room are all coffered with bulkheads, adding a feeling of space and warmth. The living spaces are designed for enjoyment through all seasons. The dining, family and meals areas capture cooling views of the pool and tennis court, and there is a back-to-back fireplace between the home…

This home offers a magnificent combination of functional design and stylish architectural finishes. The result is a visually stunning residence 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; a home that would suit their needs and accommodate their lifestyle. The homeowners wanted to plan their new home 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. The ground floor is also where you will find a large outdoor entertaining space, which takes the form of a well-equipped alfresco area located beside the swimming pool. A low…

In urban areas, and an increasing number of suburbs, land is at a premium and narrow blocks a fact of life. What you need is a cleverly designed home that can fit on a limited site, feels light and open, and offers all the amenities the discerning family needs. Whether you have young children or teenagers, if you favour open-plan living and your family loves to entertain, the space-maximising Avalon from Bellriver Homes is the perfect solution. The goal was to create a spacious, free-flowing home that delivers on style and functionality. Masterfully designed by one of Bellriver Homes’ acclaimed architects, this house puts every square metre of space to excellent use. The Avalon is a double-storey home with three large living areas, four bedrooms and a double garage, all…

The Flinders is the newest display home to come from BlueTongue Homes, built with the intention of stopping visitors in their tracks. Not only is it beautifully designed, it perfectly showcases the skill of its builders. Its industrial facade is contemporary, streamlined and on-trend. The interior is a seamless extension of the modern exterior that gives the home such strong street appeal. Clean lines, use of bright materials and clever, aesthetically pleasing building elements make this home a delight to wander through — and to live in. The aesthetic elements of the home are truly exquisite. Special features include a spineback staircase with a glass and stainless-steel balustrade. A custom window adjacent to the staircase overlooks an outside vertical garden wall, providing a soothing green outlook and allowing natural light…

By considering a modular solution for their new home, a young working family now has all they were looking for and more in a family abode — all wrapped up in a stylish, contemporary package. This was the third time the family had undergone the building process — and it was by far the least stressful for them. They’d previously renovated, then built a project home and were slugged with surprise additional costs and a lengthy, complicated build process. In choosing a modular build, they were delighted with the whole process, from the easy design stage right through to the quick turnaround and hassle-free construction process, which meant they were enjoying their new residence a whole lot sooner. The homeowners wanted a coastal feel, including high ceilings, light interiors and…

This large, three-storey, 105-square home was built by Trevor and Megan Ryan on Phillip Island, Victoria. 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 happily recommend Thermacell. “I have no hesitation in recommending Thermacell and I’ve done so to friends and other owner-builders,” he says. “As ownerbuilders 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…