Commercial offices & warehouses

A new commercial project of offices and warehouses in 3 tenancies.

Four Townhouses with Ocean Glimpes

Still refining but I am pleased where it is going.

These four dwellings each have a narrow view through the homes behind to the ocean from their private balconies and upper floor living areas.

10 New Apartments

This is a project that begun as 4 individual dwellings but a late change of the rules by the council after submission required scrapping that and adopting a different approach. A busy road with a new policy requirement preventing access to much of the street frontage meant a shared access would be required which suits apartments over individual dwellings.

These 10 apartments are designed to suit young singles or couples and should be priced in the ideal range for first home buyers or those downsizing.

A significant drop in the market, a long delay because of the council policy changes and the project required very careful selection of materials to ensure an economic build price that would still bring a profit at the end.   

Located on a busy street corner.

Not wanting to use the overused limestone 2c bricks we have selected a new brick from the same range that provides the same economy but a fresh look and added some sections of rendering to break up the large surface areas of walls.

Council required the parking to be concealed form the main view.

And now completed ready for sale or occupation.

Building behind and above, looking beyond.

Developing a new home at the rear of an existing home is common but because of the extreme slope of 6 metres rise over 40 metres and the opportunity to gain wide city views this project presented additional bonuses and challenges.  The steep slope made vehicle access difficult at the same level as the house which presented the idea to step it at the half level and place an entertaining lounge and balcony above.  This gained the sufficient height to over look the roof of the house in front and because the property is located in the hills region opened up views over much of the city.  

Additional challenges such as the presence of existing retaining at the rear which hides a pool behind at the higher level and the issue of site water flowing down from up the hill, I can pass on to the engineer.

Damage from site water flowing down the existing driveway

Out with the old, in with the two new!

This client had lived in this location in an older home that was now passed it's time. The lot, with changes to the zoning is now suitable for splitting into 2 lots and we will build two new homes. First a single storey which will be their new home for a short time and then to see the building of a two storey home as their dream home.

The property is in the hills area and enjoys some outlook over the surround area to the rear and down the valley over the tree tops where the existing homes disappear in the foliage.

The clients desire is to build in framework with cladding echoing the older world charm.

The home is designed to take full advantage of a direct side orientation to the north with the living areas having large sections of glass to capture winter sun.  Eaves will provide protection for the summer sun, higher in the sky.  It's also designed to allow viewing the valley to the rear south west. 

The first home to be built is a single storey home on the corner lot and this is designed to suit a family with four bedrooms, two bathrooms with an open living area, separate media room, activity room off the kids bedrooms and an alfresco.  The living areas face north however there are very large gum trees on the council verge that will reduce winter sun access.   




In this city there are not many framed houses built because of the popularity and availability of bricks but there is a charm to building in framed construction in an older style.  A verandah at the front, as well as providing a charming look to the home will allow the clients to enjoy breakfast on the balcony which has attractive views down the street.  The balcony comes off their master suite bedroom.

With large living room windows facing north for the winter sun, the positioning of the Alfresco ideally protects against the lower setting summer sun.   Good solar design principles can be designed into the way the home is organised which translate into a better living environment and lower heating and cooling costs resulting in a lower energy use home.  

When the home has an ideal orientation like this it makes it easier to set the home up for a more comfortable living environment.  In summer with the sun higher in the sky, simple eaves will block the strong high sun which means north facing curtains can be left open and the home stays bright without having to resort to artificial lighting. Not all windows will be ideal and in taking into account the views to the south west, some additional protection will be required. 

The living area showing winter sun penetration.