Here are some floorplan shots. The only thing we've added is along the edge of Bed 1 is now a low level build in cabinet running the whole length beneath the window. Click the image to enlarge. |
| Click to enlarge |
Floorplan
Here are some floorplan shots. The only thing we've added is along the edge of Bed 1 is now a low level build in cabinet running the whole length beneath the window. Click the image to enlarge.
The Process - Dream, Concept, Designed, Approved!
December 2007
Purchase property, rent to John - who rented the property, never missing a weeks rent for almost 5 years. John is a good bloke!
December 2007 to 2011
A gazillion different design sketches drawn!
January 2011
After months of searching and researching made contact with Paul Zaia of Zaia Architects and Enviroarch Australia
Rough details provided and Paul replied with further information about possibilities.
April 2011
Paul asks if we still intend on proceeding with project as we hadn't made further contact since initial enquiry.
We indicated yes, but just still working on the financial side!
September 2011
Still no progress on our side of things, Paul beginning to think we'd either given up or found another builder - quite the opposite it turns out.
October 2011
Finally had a site meeting with Paul
Design brief given (see Welcome blog post for design brief).
Initial design considerations and constraints forwarded by Paul.
December 2011
Wish list provided by us to Paul - 7 pages, described as the best every they've received from a client! Winner! :)
January 2012
Concept layouts forwarded. Paul Zaia and his junior Daniel Leath worked through our wish list and budget and presented a concept layout.
Throughout 2012
Back and forth email discussions on concept layout and design elements. Due to our budget constraints we went to great depth in the design phase to ensure everything was as itemised as possible. I haven't counted but there were probably hundreds of emails back and forth between Daniel, Paul and ourselves and everything down to the location of toilet roll holders! Yes- as mentioned previously, we like to be thorough!
It may seem like this process took a long time. Yes it did - partially because of long periods where we were unable to work on the project, partially because of the extent of detail Paul, Daniel and ourselves were going to in the design stage, and of course, when anyone in the building industry says "next week" it probably means at least two weeks!
October 2012
Tender Proposal forwarded by Enviroarch - YIKES - well over budget. Panic stations for us. But as Paul said "now the hard work begins". He thought he could get it down to $500k - which was still too much for us. A month later - we were well and truly below that and project was back on track.
November 2012
Council submission for approval. Fortunately council approval was really quick and we got a nice Christmas present. 2013 we are good to go!
Purchase property, rent to John - who rented the property, never missing a weeks rent for almost 5 years. John is a good bloke!
December 2007 to 2011
A gazillion different design sketches drawn!
January 2011
After months of searching and researching made contact with Paul Zaia of Zaia Architects and Enviroarch Australia
Rough details provided and Paul replied with further information about possibilities.
April 2011
Paul asks if we still intend on proceeding with project as we hadn't made further contact since initial enquiry.
We indicated yes, but just still working on the financial side!
September 2011
Still no progress on our side of things, Paul beginning to think we'd either given up or found another builder - quite the opposite it turns out.
October 2011
Finally had a site meeting with Paul
Design brief given (see Welcome blog post for design brief).
Initial design considerations and constraints forwarded by Paul.
December 2011
Wish list provided by us to Paul - 7 pages, described as the best every they've received from a client! Winner! :)
January 2012
Concept layouts forwarded. Paul Zaia and his junior Daniel Leath worked through our wish list and budget and presented a concept layout.
Throughout 2012
Back and forth email discussions on concept layout and design elements. Due to our budget constraints we went to great depth in the design phase to ensure everything was as itemised as possible. I haven't counted but there were probably hundreds of emails back and forth between Daniel, Paul and ourselves and everything down to the location of toilet roll holders! Yes- as mentioned previously, we like to be thorough!
It may seem like this process took a long time. Yes it did - partially because of long periods where we were unable to work on the project, partially because of the extent of detail Paul, Daniel and ourselves were going to in the design stage, and of course, when anyone in the building industry says "next week" it probably means at least two weeks!
October 2012
Tender Proposal forwarded by Enviroarch - YIKES - well over budget. Panic stations for us. But as Paul said "now the hard work begins". He thought he could get it down to $500k - which was still too much for us. A month later - we were well and truly below that and project was back on track.
November 2012
Council submission for approval. Fortunately council approval was really quick and we got a nice Christmas present. 2013 we are good to go!
WELCOME
Welcome to our Enviroarch Beach House
This is a knock down and rebuild in the Lake Macquarie City Council Area.
After extensive research we approached architect Paul Zaia of Enviroarch Australia.
We found Enviroarch through simple web searching for environmentally minded designers and builders - I can tell you they are few and far between.
In their words "Enviroarch represents the shared vision of quality builder Luke Hall (LJ Hall Builders) and architect Paul Zaia (Zaia Architects) to create sustainable, architect designed homes for the wider housing market."
Paul was the only architect/builder we contacted during our initial investigations and after our first meeting on site we felt comfortable with our choice and didn't bother contacting any other architects or builders.
Most importantly:
And the kicker:
Our budget was ~$450k! This may seem like a bit beyond the average budget, but keep in mind, this included all costs, fees, demolition of existing building, all internal linings, joinery and fittings (plumbing and electrical). The only thing we have to do when we move in is furnish and get a few window coverings.
One way of meeting the budget was to engage Enviroarch for the entire project, from design, construct, handling all council and trades etc.
Meeting all that was going to be a challenge, but Paul thought certainly possible.
So that is how we started!
We hope you enjoy the blog and that it provides you with some inspiration to explore alternatives to the stock standard "project slap up" homes that are dominating the new building landscape. It is possible to have an outstanding architecturally designed home that is environmentally responsible, all on an average budget.
This is a knock down and rebuild in the Lake Macquarie City Council Area.
After extensive research we approached architect Paul Zaia of Enviroarch Australia.
We found Enviroarch through simple web searching for environmentally minded designers and builders - I can tell you they are few and far between.
In their words "Enviroarch represents the shared vision of quality builder Luke Hall (LJ Hall Builders) and architect Paul Zaia (Zaia Architects) to create sustainable, architect designed homes for the wider housing market."
Paul was the only architect/builder we contacted during our initial investigations and after our first meeting on site we felt comfortable with our choice and didn't bother contacting any other architects or builders.
The design brief was pretty simple - although our extended "Wish List" was 7 pages long and nominated by Paul as "the brief is
outstanding. The best I have ever seen form a client and it gives me a complete
understanding of your lifestyle, functional and spatial requirements." We are pretty thorough!
- The block is ~12m wide and 40m long and has rear lane access, it has a nice outlook across a park to a lovely beach, we wanted to maximise this outlook and also utilise the rear lane for a second garage.
- We wanted adequate, not extravagant in size, simplicity and minimal design trumps excess for us.
- Open and airy, we wanted to avoid a house that required a lot of heating and cooling, after initial site meeting Paul indicated an air conditioner would not be required at all.
- Double story (we did look at Triple), living upstairs for outlook, bedrooms downstairs
- Single garage at front
- Front upper and rear lower decks
- No front door - to avoid having to have a hallway or foyer taking up frontage, so door at side of house
- Oh, and an outdoor shower!
Most importantly:
- We wanted the house to be "minimal" in it's use of resources
- Environmentally responsible building products
- Low maintenance
And the kicker:
- On a budget.
Our budget was ~$450k! This may seem like a bit beyond the average budget, but keep in mind, this included all costs, fees, demolition of existing building, all internal linings, joinery and fittings (plumbing and electrical). The only thing we have to do when we move in is furnish and get a few window coverings.
One way of meeting the budget was to engage Enviroarch for the entire project, from design, construct, handling all council and trades etc.
Meeting all that was going to be a challenge, but Paul thought certainly possible.
So that is how we started!
We hope you enjoy the blog and that it provides you with some inspiration to explore alternatives to the stock standard "project slap up" homes that are dominating the new building landscape. It is possible to have an outstanding architecturally designed home that is environmentally responsible, all on an average budget.
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