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The Horizon Beach House is a remarkable new home that harmoniously combines contemporary design with a focus on aesthetics and the environment. Built to withstand bushfires, it offers an ideal retreat for a family of six with room for extended family and friends. Nestled into a steep slope, the house features cantilevered balconies and roof lines, creating a robust yet refined architectural response. The upper floor provides an open-plan space for kitchen, dining, and living areas, maximising views and connections between rooms. The exterior colour scheme blends with the surrounding bush landscape, while perforated steel screens ensure privacy. The design caters to the needs of elderly parents and respects the community, showcasing responsive and resilient design principles. The Horizon Beach House is a testament to construction excellence, demonstrating the benefits of holistic design and sustainability.
The Victorian Government partnered with South West TAFE and Warrnambool City Council to deliver a much larger, brighter, and more accessible space to replace the existing Warrnambool library in Liebig Street. This exciting new community space brings together TAFE and library facilities with a seamless integration of old and new, enabling TAFE students, community and visitors to come together in a new, larger, and accessible Library and Learning Centre. The two outstanding quality considerations relate to the feature precast panels and the bespoke feature ceiling joinery. Nicholson placed a particular emphasis on quality, the restoration of existing plaster cornice work, throughout the Customs house, refinishing of the original heritage timber floorboards to new café areas, and emphasis on craftsmanship of feature blackbutt to the grand and spiralling central staircases, among other elements.
This was a truly impressive home renovation project which features a modern aesthetic with a new kitchen, living room, study, and double-car garage clad in cedar timber. Expressive steel frames support Victorian Ash Beams, while Maxi Birch Ply lines the interior walls, complementing polished concrete floors. Energy efficiency was prioritised with hydronic heating and insulation. Sustainability was an important focus, with recycled materials chosen and minimal use of high-energy materials. The clients also repurposed off-cuts for furniture. The existing house underwent significant renovations, including a bathroom remodel, heating upgrade, window repairs, rewiring, and repainting. The project seamlessly combines architectural beauty, sustainability, and major functional improvements.
This stunning modern farmhouse seamlessly blends with nature through carefully chosen exterior elements like timber cladding and authentic stone. Recycled timbers and stone features grace the interior, adding warmth and character. The existing bedroom wing underwent a significant renovation, while the rest of the house was demolished to make way for a fresh and practical design. Raked ceilings and custom-made trusses highlight the elegance of the interior, complemented by engineered timber floors and travertine stone. The grand kitchen, dining, and living area with a magnificent stone chimney serve as a focal point. Practicality meets style with a mudroom, laundry, and a dedicated dog room. This transformation showcases impressive living spaces and a striking façade that harmonises with the surrounding scenery.
The Riverside 246 display home in Lara’s Coridale Estate is a spacious haven for families, with four bedrooms and ample living space. The kitchen, the heart of the home, features a walk-in pantry and island bench overlooking open-plan areas. The Classic façade blends beautifully into any streetscape. Prospective buyers step inside to a welcoming entrance with stunning artwork and porcelain tiles. Contemporary styling continues throughout, from the lounge to the stylish kitchen, tucked-away study nook and alfresco area for entertaining. The master bedroom offers privacy and natural light, with a well-appointed ensuite. Functional laundry and three additional bedrooms complete this perfect family home.
Get ready to be genuinely captivated by the extraordinary Newport façade, an architectural marvel making waves in the prestigious Gen Fyansford display village. Drawing inspiration from classic American design, this masterpiece boasts a contemporary flat profile tiled roof, creating an irresistible blend of character and charm. The fusion of materials, including strapping, vertical cladding, render, and stonework, adds a touch of sophistication and visual intrigue. With a cohesive colour palette of soft greys, both inside and out, this project exudes elegance and timelessness. Step inside and prepare to be amazed by the spacious interiors, adorned with earthy tones and exquisite details. The Newport façade is a testament to creativity, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of architectural excellence.
Introducing the Clifton 27GE, a contemporary masterpiece carefully designed to cater to the needs of modern Australian families. This remarkable project, located in the thriving Coridale Estate in Lara, showcases the best of Sherridon Homes’ New Living collection. Designed with affordability and replicability in mind, this home offers exceptional value without compromising on style or functionality. The central entertaining zone with an adjacent walk-in pantry creates a seamless flow for indoor and outdoor living, while the master suite boasts a generous walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. A spacious study space, functional bathrooms, and energy-efficient features such as 6-star energy rating, gas ducted heating, and LED lighting make this home a true winner for sustainable living. With a focus on reducing CO2 emissions and embracing eco-friendly practices, the Clifton 27GE sets a new standard for family living.
Step into the world of grandeur and opulence with the Highlander, a stunning architectural marvel that combines elegance with functionality. From the superior voids that welcome you into the home to the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces, this residence is designed for the ultimate entertainer. The first floor boasts a master retreat with exceptional voids, a theatre room, a sitting room, a guest suite, and additional bedrooms. With its dark-stained timber, marble finishes, and accents of brass, the Highlander exudes luxurious charm. Every detail, from the stone benchtops to the carefully curated furniture and artwork, has been thoughtfully selected to enhance the modern country style. This remarkable home offers vaulted ceilings, balconies, and breathtaking views, providing a true country retreat experience for any family seeking an extraordinary lifestyle.
Discover the remarkable charm of compact living with this 64m2 architectural gem. Design takes centre stage in this cosy yet functional home, boasting the smallest complete house footprint ever built. The well-appointed kitchen and generous bathroom cater to visitors with ease. Embracing solar passive design and near-Passive Haus specifications, this home ensures minimal running costs for year-round comfort. A heat recovery ventilation system maintains the perfect climate within its tightly sealed walls. Despite its contemporary build, the pitched roof and eaves seamlessly blend with the surrounding older homes. The hempcrete finishes and warm colour palette create a welcoming atmosphere. VR Builders’ skilled tradespeople have delivered a high-quality, small-footprint home that rivals larger counterparts in features and value. Noteworthy is its environmental sustainability and significantly reduced bills, thanks to solar passive features, eaves on all sides, double-glazed windows, heat pump hot water, and all-electric appliances.
A remarkable collaboration between the client’s own family architect and Enso Homes in crafting this beautiful home. Designed from scratch, the compact yet functional layout caters to a young couple and their newborn. The facade combines stacked glazed white bricks and sleek timber cladding, creating an elegant and contemporary look. Inside, the open living area steals the show with a raised raked ceiling, ample natural light, and passive heating and cooling. Sustainability is at the forefront, with a 6-star energy rating, double-glazed windows, solar panels, and water-saving features. This home harmonises design and function, offering a grand living experience while minimising its ecological impact.
A truly harmonious blend of nature and modern design is on show in this extraordinary home. The façade showcases thermally modified timber cladding and rendered Hebel, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding environment. As you enter, a floor-to-ceiling window draws your gaze to the central courtyard, aptly named the ‘Lighthouse’. This serene oasis bathes the home in natural light, connecting every room to the outdoors. Native plants, stones, and bark create a tranquil ambience, reflecting the client’s love for exploring the country in her campervan. The courtyard serves as a versatile space, both connecting and separating different areas of the home. Large sliding doors enhance flow and can be opened for a seamless indoor-outdoor experience or closed for privacy.
The charter for this home was to maximise stunning views and solar passive aspects. It features a main living area, a master bedroom, and a separate guest wing with two bedrooms, a sitting area, and a bathroom. Built into a steep hill, the house has a garage below and the living spaces above. The design is executed well, with a comfortable layout and impressive finishes. The orientation is optimised for sunlight, with double-glazed windows, insulation, and cladding. The house is powered by solar energy and heated with a heat pump. The construction required careful planning and the use of expensive materials, including metal and spotted gum cladding. Inside, the home boasts raking ceilings, openable windows, solid timber floors, and stylish kitchens.
The home underwent a transformative modern minimalist design, with a laser focus on capturing the abundant northern sunlight. With a charming tree-lined backdrop, the dwelling seamlessly blended into the established street. Previous residents brought valuable insights from their experience living on the street, including knowledge of sun patterns and tree-filtered light. They collaborated with local architect Dierijk at Drent Design to refine their vision. Sustainability was a priority, with passive solar principles incorporated into the design through careful consideration of building orientation, window placement, cross ventilation, thermal mass integration, and insulation. The home features protected north-facing living areas connected to a serene garden, while the master bedroom ensures privacy while enjoying filtered views and daylight. A striking, elegant entry sets the tone for the rest of the home.
This compact single-storey home, located in the Macedon Ranges, offers a stunning view of the Cobaw Ranges. Spanning 216sq m, it provides everything a young family needs on their rural property. The newly built home features three bedrooms, a study, a master ensuite, a powder room, a main bathroom, laundry, a mudroom, and a separate drying room. The centrally located kitchen and living area blend seamlessly into the landscape with muted external colours. The property is completely off-grid, utilising solar power, rainwater tanks, and on-site wastewater treatment. Construction was completed in just under eight months, showcasing a clever design that captures the northerly aspect and embraces sustainable and passive living.
The design of this single-story home was carefully crafted, considering the selection of castellation timber profile and parapet framing. Despite being a one-story structure, the four slabs and 17 steps made excellent use of the block’s slope. A notable highlight was the integration of a courtyard screening wall to ensure privacy, along with seamless connections between the north courtyard and south aspect through framing features, decking, planter boxes, and a fire pit. Sustainability considerations encompassed thermal efficiency using rendered foam, double glazing, insulation, reflective colours, ethically sourced timber facades, optimised airflow through window selection, concrete flooring, wool carpets, low-energy lighting, and minimal heating or cooling requirements during peak periods.
The Jan Juc project underwent a knockdown rebuild on a sunny, north-facing allotment. The challenge of maximising natural sunlight led to the decision of a double-story design, optimising space for the terraced rear yard. Initial construction difficulties arose from a significant site cut during Spring, but measures were taken to minimise disruptions, including regular road cleaning by the Surf Coast council. COVID-19 affected the project with delays in cladding and block deliveries, but careful preparation and weatherproofing saved the client eight weeks. The finished home showcases an industrial aesthetic with steel, timber, block, and matte metal elements. Despite the obstacles, the project was completed within 11 months, a commendable feat given the circumstances.
In response to the client’s desire for a warm and inviting home that blends with the natural landscape and captures river views, a unique and compact design was created. Inspired by mid-century modern interiors, the house serves as a sanctuary for relaxation and family gatherings, with flexible living spaces for visitors. The goal was for the house to seamlessly blend into the surroundings, almost disappearing among the trees when viewed from the river. Despite limited space, the design incorporates amenities like caravan storage, a spacious garage, a veggie patch, and an outdoor shower. Inside, there are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a home office, and ample living space. Overcoming challenges such as flood protection and building height restrictions, the design maximises natural features and showcases stunning river views.
This project involved constructing a modern mid-century home with a farm and resort ambience on reactive clay soil, while staying within budget. The entrance featured two circles — a circular atrium in the front portico ceiling and a glazed circular window acting as a preview of the backyard. The interior design aimed for simplicity and natural light to showcase the clients’ artwork. Challenges were faced and overcome throughout the construction process, including a complete on-site redesign of the air conditioning plan, which included repositioning the outdoor unit to the roof. Despite these obstacles, constant collaboration with the client during construction helped meet their goals and create a fulfilling outcome.
The Project in Ocean Grove is a stunning three-story new build cascading down a steep slope near the town centre. With floor-to-ceiling bifold doors, every room offers breathtaking views of the beach and river. The build includes a custom swimming pool structure integrated into the home’s foundations. Privacy is ensured with high windows and double glazing on both street frontages. Meticulous attention to detail is evident in the flawless linear panel joins and the white-washed timberwork. Curves and intricate feature walls enhance the master bedroom and other areas. Immaculate interior and exterior carpentry, along with high-quality fencing and simple landscaping, complete the home. The alfresco decking seamlessly connects to the pool area with beautiful tiled finishes.
The Horizon Beach House is a striking and environmentally-conscious home that seamlessly blends contemporary design with the surrounding bush landscape. Nestled into a sloping site, the house features cantilevered balconies and roof lines, offering a robust yet refined architectural response. Designed for a family of six, with room for extended family and friends, the upper floor maximises views and provides separation between adults and children. The exterior colour scheme harmonises with the natural environment, while Corten perforated steel screens provide privacy. The residence caters to the needs of elderly parents, allowing them to age in place. Despite challenges in construction, the finished product exemplifies responsive and resilient design, showcasing the benefits of a holistic approach that balances aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.
Witness the rebirth of Ballarat’s historic district through the creation of two luxurious modern townhouses. Resting atop Black Hill, these dwellings offer unparalleled views of Ballarat City. This duplex project ingeniously utilises the sloping site, featuring underground cellars that also serve as laundries. With one townhouse intended for long-term occupancy, functionality is paramount within a compact footprint. Street appeal is enhanced by a fusion of ultramodern claddings and traditional brick, paying homage to Selkirk Bricks, the client’s employer. The townhouses stand as a testament to the builder’s expertise, overcoming formidable challenges to deliver a flawless execution that seamlessly aligns with the original design and architectural plans.
Experience the vibrant essence of Ocean Grove. This exceptional development reimagines classic architectural forms with a contemporary vision. Nine exquisite residences replace three demolished dwellings, offering a range of options with two, three, and four bedrooms. Designed for seamless work-from-home integration, the homes feature soaring ceilings and versatile floor plans. A restrained yet striking design approach showcases contrasting textures and intricate details like cladding, timber screening, and hooded windows. Residents enjoy private entrances, parking spaces with electric vehicle provisions, and ample storage for beach equipment. Beautiful oak timber-look cabinetry adds warmth to the living spaces. With a focus on natural light and indoor-outdoor harmony, the residences epitomise coastal luxury.
Carefully designed to accommodate a growing family, this modest home prioritises thermal performance and energy self-sufficiency. The layout maximises passive solar design, ensuring all habitable rooms have north-facing windows with fixed horizontal shading for winter sun absorption and summer sun exclusion. The high-performance UPVC windows enable cross ventilation. With a NATHERS rating of 8.6 stars, the dwelling’s predicted annual energy load for heating and cooling is remarkably low at 60.5MJ/m2, less than a third of a 6-star rated house. The primary heating source is a wood fire fueled by fallen trees on the property. Rainwater is collected and used on-site, while wastewater is treated via a septic system. The home features a welcoming timber-lined entry portico, intersecting gables with cathedral ceilings, and a north-facing deck that enhances the connection to the rural surroundings.
Hamlan’s display home, the Cumberland 266 at Gen Fyansford, is a testament to their commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. In response to the growing concern for our planet, Hamlan has incorporated a range of energy-efficient features into this home. Not only does living in an energy-efficient home reduce your ecological footprint, but it also offers long-lasting benefits. The Cumberland 266 surpasses standard energy efficiency ratings with an impressive 7.1 Nathers rating. By incorporating upgrades like a heat recovery mechanical ventilation unit and a passive solar design, this home not only reduces energy bills but also ensures comfort and clean air for its residents. It’s a truly comfortable and eco-conscious living space.
The Budj Bim Master Plan ensures sustainable tourism and education in the culturally significant Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Victoria. Recognised by UNESCO for its cultural value, it differs from other World Heritage Sites. The project involved constructing structures and walkways that blend with the environment while preserving the area’s integrity. The Gunditjmara people have inhabited this region for thousands of years, creating stone huts and aquaculture systems. The plan aims to showcase and protect this indigenous landscape, allowing ecotourism and education while preserving Indigenous Protected Areas.
Plan Group was tasked with this comprehensive project in South Geelong, involving the creation of a new office space and showroom displays for Metricon Homes. The ground floor featured stunning showcases of bathroom suites, kitchen layouts, blinds, and more, along with front-of-house areas like reception, boardroom, and consultation rooms. On the first level, offices, meeting rooms, and breakout spaces were designed for Metricon’s staff. The project was meticulously staged to ensure a smooth transition and early completion of the communication room. Despite challenges posed by COVID, the team successfully managed the procurement and installation of various Metricon-supplied items. The project’s primary focus was delivering a high-quality Studio M showroom within a tight timeline.
St. Francis of the Fields Primary School in Strathfieldsaye, East of Bendigo, faced the challenge of accommodating the growing population in the area. To meet the expanding needs, the school underwent a two-stage building process. First, the existing portable buildings were relocated to a remote location on the site, making way for the construction of a new 1100 sq m building. The construction involved a split-level design to adapt to the gently sloping site and provide accessibility. Despite delays in securing bricklaying workers, the internal works were completed on schedule, prioritising the client’s need to have the building ready before the new school year in 2023, even if the external cladding was finished later.
This exciting project transformed a heritage-listed building into a dynamic and collaborative workspace while preserving its historical significance. The conservation management plan guided the design, resulting in the exposure of the building’s impressive structure and integration of original features. The renovated building now serves as a cutting-edge teaching facility, offering state-of-the-art amenities for students. An extension was constructed between the wings, incorporating a lift, lunch room, and additional teaching facilities. The interior boasts seven versatile classrooms, research rooms, content recording pods, and a reception/admin area. S.J. Weir utilised advanced construction, communication, and safety systems, along with modern information delivery platforms, to successfully support this remarkable project
The project involves constructing a new three-level library connected to the Heritage-listed Customs House. The library boasts a complex facade with precast cladding, glazed curtain wall, and brass panelling. Inside, each floor is uniquely designed to match the architectural vision. The ground floor offers a vibrant space for children and parents, including games, reading, and a dedicated outdoor garden. The first floor features a “Tech Zone” and a Youth Area with gaming consoles and a sound booth. The second floor provides breathtaking views, a blackbutt coffered ceiling, and room for an extensive book collection. External works include a children’s garden, curved precast concrete cladding resembling book edges, and well-designed landscaping with seating.
Bendigo Kangan Institute’s (BKI) Bendigo City Campus (BCC), is a critical part of the city’s educational and cultural fabric and provides a particularly strong educational offering in health and community services, business management, hospitality, tourism, learning support and foundation education, hair and beauty, art, design, music, media, information technology and indigenous support studies. The revitalisation project was created and delivered to develop the strategic educational planning and master planning to deliver on this investment. The project included 20 interlinked separable portions, to completely transform the campus and the learning spaces for the benefit of the community.
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