Tabla de contenidos para March Issue #24.2 en BuildHome

With advances in computer modelling and home builder websites offering 3D walk-throughs, it’s now much easier to get a sense of what your new home will look like once it’s built. But despite such welcome developments in technology, there is no substitute for walking through a house, roaming from room to room and trying it on for size. With a custom build, of course, that won’t be possible, but many project home builders have stunningly styled display homes, grouped together in villages, you can visit. Display villages are growing in number and in the breadth and diversity of homes on offer. Visiting display homes allows you to get a first-hand feel for the size of the rooms and the flow of the floor plan; to assess how much natural light…

Held annually, the HIA-CSR Queensland Housing Awards recognise the skill, commitment and professionalism of Housing Industry Association (HIA) Queensland members. HIA members have a well-earned reputation for delivering quality projects that stand the test of time, and the winners of the 2017 awards program, showcased over the following pages, provide ample proof of the high-calibre work being produced. The awards would not be possible without the valued partners who support industry events such as this and, to them, HIA extends its heartfelt thanks. HIA also thanks its members for their participation in the 2017 awards program (the 45th held by the association) and congratulates all winners and finalists. The winner of the highest and most coveted honour, 2017 HIA-CSR Queensland Home of the Year, was Castle Glenn Homes. In addition,…

Porter Davis celebrated its first year in the Queensland market on December 3, 2017. Less than a month before, it enjoyed its first win in the 2017 HIA-CSR Brisbane Housing Awards, winning the Display Home Over $500,001 category. The winning home was the Marriott Grange 49, inspiration for which came following a tour of the grand homes in the Hamptons, USA, undertaken by the Porter Davis design team. The Marriott Grange 49 features the Porter Davis best-in-class Hamptons interior paired with the coastal and classic tones of the Long Island facade. Located at The Rochedale Estates, just a short drive from Brisbane’s CBD, the Marriot Grange 49 is Porter Davis’s most sought-after home. It delivers seven-star hotel-style luxury and a sense of grandeur to those looking to live and entertain…

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 modern working family really does want it all. Functionality and flexibility, open-plan living, an entertainer’s kitchen, premium appliances and luxurious finishes. This five-bedroom, three-bathroom display home from Finesse Home Builders ticks all the boxes. When designing this impressive two-storey residence, Finesse Home Builders had just such a family in mind, which is clearly reflected in the intelligent floor plan, the provision of versatile spaces and the use of quality materials throughout. The social hub of the home is the kitchen and it is a design triumph. There is a generous island with a dual sink on one side and space for stools on the other. The top and sides of the bench are finished with Quantum Quartz Calacutta, which features broad veins of grey running through a white background.…

By considering a modular solution for their new home, a young working family now have 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 ease of choosing a design 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…

Once you’re completely happy with the design and orientation of your new home, it’s time to start looking at the building materials, products and finishes you will employ. When selecting products for a new home or a home renovation, you need to consider what will help improve the thermal comfort of your abode. Ian Fry from Frys Energywise shares his top 10 tips, not necessarily in order of importance, for making eco-friendly, sustainable choices. TIP 1: WINDOWS Installing energy-efficient windows will not only help reduce your energy costs and make your home more comfortable to live in, but it will also protect interior furniture and furnishings from being damaged by the sun. TIP 2: WINDOW FURNISHINGS Window furnishing (blinds, curtains, shutters) also help protect the interior of your home from…

This impressive luxury abode is the jewel in the crown of Castle Glenn Homes. In 2017, it not only won for the prestige builder the coveted title of Queensland Home of the Year in the HIA-CSR Queensland Housing Awards, it also won the Custom Built Home, Outdoor Living Project and Steel Frame Project of the Year categories. The creation of this spectacular two-storey waterfront residence overlooking the canals of Raby Bay was, in every sense, a Castle Glenn Homes’ family affair. The design, a contemporary masterpiece capitalising on the unsurpassed view of the canals, is the creation of Dean Bolger. Dean’s father, Glenn, built the home to the highest standards, and Glenn’s wife, Toni, brought the home to life, creating stunning interior and exterior spaces of refined design and timeless…

When you’re looking for a home builder, experience is important, but so too is local knowledge. Working throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, Stroud Homes is a group of licensed and locally based builders, each with many years of design and building experience. Each builder is also an expert in their local area and is fully accustomed to the demands of local councils and land developers. With Stroud Homes, finding a package to fit your land, budget and family is easy and with a commitment to ensuring your build goes smoothly, you can be assured of an excellent end result. The quality of a Stroud Homes’ build was recognised multiple times in the 2017 HIA-CSR Queensland Housing Awards, with the company receiving awards for six of its homes located…

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…

Where once a rather modest 1950s two-bedroom, single-storey brick home stood, now a highly contemporary five-bedroom, three-level residence commands stunning river views. Overlooking the Georges River, this prime location in Blakehurst, a beautiful waterside suburb in Sydney’s south, proved irresistible to homeowners John and Mary, parents to four young children. The couple were keen to embrace the site’s potential — and its magnificent elevated position — by knocking down the old home and replacing it with a new residence that would cater to their family’s lifestyle needs and space requirements. “The clients are in their late 30s with four kids and were after a modern home for their young family,” explains Nick Vlouhos, builder/owner of NJK Property Group. NJK and architect Alex Pappas faced a sloping block and height restrictions.…

Explore the San Marino Executive 16 and you will soon see why this exquistely sculptured, flawlessly balanced home has attracted such acclaim. In step with the desires and needs of the modern family, this luxurious Stuart Everitt-designed home showcases innovative architecture at its very best. “Featuring a timeless interior theme and plenty of warm, natural light, the San Marino displays an unflinching eye for architectural detail, lavish indoor and outdoor spaces and an effortless flow,” says Nathan Thurston, marketing manager for McDonald Jones Homes. “The grandeur of the home is evident from the moment you step through the front door into the welcoming entry, setting the tone for the remainder of this remarkable residence.” The children’s wing, with its spacious activity room, is at the front of the house. This…

No matter what your stage of life, Thrive Homes’ award-winning Sienna 22 is the perfect fit. A very versatile home with a minimalist design, it appeals to the modern, younger first-home buyer as well as families — this is due, in large part, to its separate kids’ lounge, which is a boon. The older generation is just as enamoured, especially those who are downsizing and looking for a practical home in which they can host family events. Thrive Homes focuses on simplicity and building smart, while incorporating distinctive features into each design to add architectural elegance. In the case of the Sienna 22, the use of raked ceilings — over the dining, living and outdoor entertaining areas — is the standout design feature. “The idea with the clever floor plan…

A few years ago, Lisa and Jason became completely fed up with going to house auctions in inner Melbourne every weekend. The prices kept going up and they had to compromise more and more. Then one weekend, it hit them — why not build one of those “Harkaways” they had admired in the past? Before long, they had bought a knockdown property in a great location and were sitting in the showroom at Harkaway Homes’ head office, feeling a bit nervous about their sudden decision. Fast-forward to just 12 months later and they had already moved into their beautiful two-storey Gabled Victorian Traditional home. Lisa and Jason’s house, which offers charm and comfort in abundance, is an impressive 34m² in size, with living and dining areas downstairs and four bedrooms…

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…

Websites brimming with stunning images of beautifully styled homes, each supported by a detailed floor plan, are useful, but nothing compares to exploring a house first-hand. That’s where display villages come in. There really isn’t any substitute for having a good nose around a house. You can experience the flow of the floor plan, see how much natural light the home allows in, imagine how it will be cooking in the kitchen or barbecuing in the alfresco, and get a true sense of the quality of the finishes and appliances. Display villages are by no means a new concept but they are certainly growing in number and sophistication. The calibre and diversity of homes is increasing and the on-site facilities are ever-improving. We asked three home building experts to share…

Architecturally designed and faultlessly constructed, this luxurious Hamptonsinspired residence didn’t just exceed the expectations of the extremely proud homeowners, it wowed the judges of both the 2017 HIA-CSR North Queensland Housing Awards and the 2017 HIA-Austral Bricks Mackay Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards. As a result, CCF Homes received a swag of honours, including North Queensland Home of the Year and Mackay Home of the Year, as well as three Custom Built Home awards. Set on one of the highest hills in Gladstone, this luxe 655m² home, dubbed The Aboda, was designed to encompass 280-degree panoramic views of Mount Larcom, the harbour and the city of Gladstone. This was achieved with the use of expansive rear and side decks and large well-placed windows and doors. The home, which was set…

If you want a custom-built new home or a lifestyle renovation, you couldn’t be in safer hands than those of Rex and Karen Manley of Manley Homes. For more than 25 years, they have been Brisbane’s go-to duo for custom-design and build projects, in particular Hamptons-style homes, small-lot homes, knockdown/rebuild projects and builds on sloping sites. All Manley Homes’ clients, regardless of budget, receive a completely customised build replete with individualised inclusions and design features that make their home a true original. A high degree of customisation is evident in this home, winner of the Custom Built Home $400,001-$500,000 category in the 2017 HIA-CSR Brisbane Housing Awards. The owners of the home, Michael and Melissa Kavourakis, had a distinct vision for a modern, high-set residence with clean, uncluttered lines. Rex…

South Coogee is a highly sought-after Sydney suburb and for very good reason. Located a hop, skip and a jump away from the beach and the city, it offers the best of both worlds for those who want it all. It was here that a family of four decided to create their dream home, calling on Starr Constructions to help them bring their vision to life. An old brick house, which stood on the prized site, was demolished to make way for an entirely new, more modern structure. The brief for this revolved around designing a home that was open and luxurious in nature, while boasting a seamless flow between all the rooms. Like most home builds, there were challenges but these were overcome with a combination of experience and…

SFN Constructions was tasked with the dramatic transformation of a tired and dated dwelling into a modern abode. The old home was set primarily over a single level with just one small room and a bathroom downstairs. “The existing home, located in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Drummoyne, was quite dilapidated and in poor repair,” explain builders Nando and Frank Sciacca of SFN Constructions. The homeowners, a professional couple with two primary school-aged children, envisaged a new family home set over three levels — one that would make the most of the sloping site and the water views. “Attention to detail was very important to the owners and they knew that to get the result they wanted, the highest level of professionalism would be required,” say Nando and Frank. This…

If you’re looking for the ideal family home, Bellriver Homes’ two-storey, five-bedroom Tilbury 393 is it. Not only does it have a spacious kitchen and a stylish outdoor entertaining area, it also caters for family members of all ages. Upstairs, there is a teenagers’ retreat with a separate bathroom while downstairs, there is comfortable guest accommodation, complete with a full built-in robe and ensuite, suitable for visiting in-laws or grandparents. Designed with comfort in mind, the home is perfectly suited to families who enjoy a casual lifestyle and who love to entertain. The contemporary open-plan kitchen is one of the home’s many standout features and has been designed to be the hub of family life. From the breakfast bar to the large walk-in pantry, which can be customised to a…

Kit, manufactured and transportable homes can offer you a practical solution to a wide range of building challenges and give owners the great satisfaction of building their own house. Kit homes are also a sensible option for those faced with a restricted timeframe, as a considerable part of the construction process can take place off-site in the factory after which the pre-fabricated building components are delivered straight to your land. Additionally, they are much cheaper than building a home from scratch and there is a range of options to suit every budget, design preference and lot size.…

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…

COLORBOND® steel, a popular choice for Australian residential and commercial buildings for more than 50 years, introduces an elegant matt finish to complement the latest building design trends. Harnessing new paint technology to deliver a naturally inspired finish that diffuses light for a soft, textured, designer look, COLORBOND® steel Matt is available in Surfmist® Matt, Shale Grey™ Matt, Dune® Matt, Basalt® Matt and Monument® Matt. Lisa Dent, manager of marketing and market development at BlueScope says, “The COLORBOND® steel Matt paint technology was developed to give the industry an accessible, yet highly attractive and versatile design material that provides a softer finish to complement the move towards more natural-looking materials in residential building. The COLORBOND® steel Matt collection offers builders a range of neutral colours with the depth and versatility…