Archive for category: News

Does your dream home need to be built on deep, sloping land? No problem! The Traditional Queenslanders team has successfully constructed many homes on steep building sites.

We met our clients on a site with magnificent views they were considering buying. They had seen one of our homes in Bowen, which they loved. The clients asked if we could build a home for them, with a similar appearance, but on this very different site and to meet their desired budget.

The problem was that the home in Bowen is on a level block of land, with good soil and no access difficulties.  The land at Yarrawonga, on the slopes of Castle Hill in Townsville, was not only extremely steep, but had buried rocks and very high wind exposure. Additional challenges posed by the design brief were to include two living areas to accommodate their young adult family members separately, four-car accommodation and a workshop area.

 

The design process resulted in a home which fitted perfectly into the diagonally sloping site. The different sections of the home were completed across four levels, with the lower level floor only partly underneath the upper floor. We did not disturb the natural ground, apart from anchoring the foundations. The natural slope allowed rainwater to simply run away underneath, without the need for expensive retaining walls or excessive drainage costs. Each floor takes advantage of the views with its own rotunda for outdoor entertainment. The garage is built with a raised timber floor, elevated on steel posts, with the workshop underneath.

 

Building on a site of this nature will inevitably cause challenges, however the experience and expertise of the Traditional Queenslanders team enabled the clients to avoid excessive costs.

The buried rock was an unknown factor, but the clients accepted this in the knowledge that we would do our best to keep the cost to a minimum, while ensuring the finished product was structurally strong to deal with possible future cyclonic attack. It has since proved itself by enduring cyclone “Yasi”, without any concerns at all.

We are very proud of the result and our clients love their home.

Building the perfect home often requires compromise. This home is a perfect example of how Traditional Queenslanders strives to meet our commitment when challenged to meet a client’s specific budget.

These past clients contacted the team and expressed their interest in owning a “Hamilton Series” home, as seen in our Superior brochure. After calculating the costs for that particular home on their land, the clients were initially disappointed to discover that their budget was about $80,000 short. However, both the clients and the traditional Queenslanders team worked together to arrive at a sufficient solution.

Upon investigating the design of the Hamilton home, we found that the layout was not suited to the location of the land, or the design preferences as outlined by the client. For example, they wanted the master bedroom closer to the living areas and kitchen, for ease of servicing the needs of a young family. Moreover, the size of the bedrooms and living spaces were larger than required.

The final result was a smaller, refined version of the Hamilton design.  Traditional Queenslanders were able to successfully meet the clients budget and build their home by leaving some sections unpainted, and a verandah that was prepared for but not completed.

The clients were extremely happy with the result, stating that “we now have our dream home. It is slightly different, but just as good”.

One of our preferred kitchen solution manufacturers, Burgess Kitchens, have designed and completed a stylish new kitchen in a home built by the Traditional Queenslanders team. Being the hub of a family home, the kitchen required a large open plan, with maximum prep space and storage. This kitchen epitomises functionality, and aesthetic beauty with a classic design.

Kitchen Specifications include:
Bench tops – 40mm Quantum Quartz with a pencil edge
Doors/Drawers – Dulux Vivid White Lacquer Satin 2 Pac with a Ballarat profile
Kickboards – 2 Pac as doors with feature skirting kick to island
Handles and Knobs – Supplied by clients

Appliance Specifications include: 
Sink – Schock Signus D-200 in black
Hotplate – Neff Induction 90cm
Oven (2 of) – Neff Series 5 Stainless Steel single
Rangehood – Fisher and Paykel 90cm wall canopy
Dishwasher – Bosch white freestanding
Refrigerator – Fisher and Paykel 90cm french door

As outlined by the client, the kitchen was to have no overheads, ensuring the open large windows were point of focus, with only the fridge and wall oven tower to be built to the ceiling with a small shadow line.  The deep fridge wall encases the large fridge, ensuring its depth and size was encountered for.

The design was to include only drawers to the base cupboards, except for the sink and feature doors on the rear of the island bench.  A tall oil drawer is positioned to the left of the hotplate with internal cross dividers for organised oil storage and a large slide out bin is fitted underneath the sink.

The island bench was to have no seating areas as the large family dining table was in close proximity, instead its large purpose was for maximum storage and preparation space.  On the outside end is a large open book space, suiting the young family’s style.
Behind the kitchen is a large butlers pantry with a second fridge, microwave, bench space and open storage both below and above the bench.

Click this link to view more images of this kitchen: https://www.pinterest.com/garthchapman/burgess-kitchens/ 

 

Classic Queenslander Homes to Keep You Cool this Summer

Spring is here and Summer is fast-approaching. No doubt you will be starting to feel the heat in your homes. To keep you cool this Summer we have expanded our Classic Queenslander Range to now include:

• Burdekin 187 Classic
• Carpentaria 178 Classic
• Dawson 201 Classic
• Diamantina 190 Classic
• Georgina 199 Classic
• Hamilton 238 Classic
• Queenslander 167 Classic
• Ranger 147 Classic

These homes are specifically made to be suitable for the Australian Climate Zone with features that minimise heat in the Summer and protect against the cold in the Winter. To learn more about our “all-weather homes”, visit https://traditionalqueenslanders.com.au/All-Weather-Homes.php

Now is the perfect time to enquire about our classic homes to prevent expensive air-conditioning bills this Summer. For more information visit https://traditionalqueenslanders.com.au/classic-range.php or feel free to contact us at lance@garthchapman.com.au

Garth Chapman Queenslanders is very proud to have taken home the 2014 Master Builders “Best Heritage Style Home” at the Brisbane Housing & Construction awards night.

The Garth Chapman Queenslander that recieved this award was the Burdekin style home in Samford. This double storey Queenslander is set on two and half acres featuring a seperate garage with a professional cellar, travertine & marble bathrooms and luxury bedrooms with access to verandahs via cedar French doors.

See images of the event: http://www.pinterest.com/garthchapman/2014-housing-construction-awards/

Read more about this home at:https://traditionalqueenslanders.com.au/Burdekin-Samford-Custom.php