Reaching even higher.

8 years ago I had drawn up plans for this 2 storey home in Applecross, the original design having been sketched out by another designer. Both prior to and during construction the owner had considered a 3rd storey to capture the elevated views down the road to the river and so I had already prepared sketch plans but they remained an idea.  Almost a decade later and we are back to consider again the opportunity for greater views to be had by going up another floor.  

The design continues the existing unique composite style and adding an additional feature parapet facing the side street to break up the repetition of windows.  Taking the master suite to the top floor with a sumptuous ensuite as well as a large open lounge area and a small study, the design fills up all the available space on this small 200m2 lot when allowing for setbacks.

Grouped Dwellings with a touch of nostalgia

Here's a new grouped dwelling development to be built in Mount Nasura just about ready to be submitted for planning approval.  Developed for a client with a taste for a bit of yesteryear but the comfort and convenience of tomorrow, these three dwellings will overlook a quiet highway road from it's elevated position. The first two homes are 3 bed 2 bath but the 3rd home will serve as their family home and is a 2 storey 5 bed 2 bath home with extra living area upstairs enjoying an elevated view across largely low developed country side.

 This project certainly came with challenges.  I took over from a failed attempt at a planning application and started with a full investigation of the property restrictions.   A sewer / drainage easement along one boundary and a land resumption easement along another took a significant chunk of the property however a planning policy allowed an upgrade of the density coding to a higher number to allow the 3 homes to occupy the reduced area.

The client did want red brick federation style but the taller 2c cream blocks do give an economic edge that is important to make the project viable so I found some inspiring images of 'period' inspired homes to give a new direction and we are all happy with the result.

  With a corner lot there is an expectation of a 'face' to the secondary street however in this case the easement prevented any access (being that it is a highway). But the northern direction enjoyed a wide verge and a wonderful outlook over larger lot properties with very low density development such that the homes can't even be seen amongst the trees and bush.  This gives an opportunity to use a low fence to maintain the same amount of privacy because you are elevated above the road and yet allowing an outlook from inside the property, in this case being the living areas.

Having an outlook north facing, it gives good opportunity to position the living areas to enjoy winter sunshine.    

With plenty of forward consultation with the council I hope that this time we should gain planning approval promptly and the owner should be able to move on with the building application and construction.