02 Oct 2015

It may a sloping site, difficult soil conditions or council imposed restrictions that present a challenge, however it's devising a solution that will dictate the outcome of the project.

This narrow lot also had a sewer line and manhole running directly through the line of the property. Council had imposed an easement over the sewer that meant there had to be permanent access to the manhole at all times.

The clients approached DesignBuild with this dilemma, with a brief to create a spacious family home on an already narrow site. The building designer's solution to the challenge of the manhole was to design a central, covered courtyard with removable decking over the manhole. The solution satisfied council requirements while still addressing the brief from the clients.

Guy from DesignBuild considers this home as one of the most prestigious renovation projects he has been involved in, due to the stunning city skyline views that are now visible throughout the house, in particular from the dining and living areas. The house raise exponentially magnified the city views and created a generous living space that flows to the outdoor area. “With the use of corner-less stacker doors, the cityscape is drawn inside creating a seamlessness between outside and inside, the entertaining area and the pool,” explains Guy.

The central covered courtyard creates a private, outdoors space for year round living, while isolating the family space at the rear of the home for relaxed, casual living. The upper floor mimics the lower floor, creating a completely private master bedroom suite with walk in wardrobe and ensuite.

Guy Kits from DesignBuild Homes says almost every lot will have a design challenge and it's how a solution is found for that challenge that will determine the outcome of the project. "The design challenges of a lot can be as minor as some buried asbestos and as major as termites in a home in a demolition control precinct. A successful building project is determined by how these problems are overcome. In this case, designing the home over the manhole with removable decking was an innovative and practical solution to the dilemma."

If you have a block of land with design challenges, speak to the team at DesignBuild Homes about the solutions and options available.

Unless you have a completely flat, traditional sized block of land clear of sewer lines and stormwater, there will most likely be some issues when designing a new home.