Australia offers some incredible blocks for family homes – from sprawling acreages under starry skies to charming valleys boasting beautiful mountain views. But with these stunning backdrops comes many unique challenges for construction, whether you’re facing a steep slope, bushfire-prone land or a nearby flood plain.
In this blog, we’ll share our specialist building knowledge to help you navigate potential hurdles, overcome challenges and turn your unique block into a custom family home.
When working with an unusual or difficult block, the most important thing is understanding the unique challenges of your site. To do this, you will need to enlist the help of a specialist Architect and Builder to complete thorough investigations and reports to identify potential issues and craft a design and construction plan that works with your site. This will help you to avoid preventable (and expensive) problems cropping up mid-way through your build.
Many locations in Melbourne's north west are bushfire prone, but that doesn't have to stop your dream home from becoming a reality. Through clever building techniques and the right materials, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity.
New homes built in bushfire-prone regions must adhere strictly to BAL (bushfire attack level) regulations. These regulations prioritise safety and guide decisions like home orientation to minimise risk, design elements that reduce ember buildup and strategic landscaping. Your design might include fire-retardant plants, paved driveways and even pools or ponds that create a protective buffer around the home. Materials play a crucial role too – steel cladding, toughened safety glass, fibre cement and fire-resistant timber all contribute to a safe and stylish home.
Many see sloping sites as a negative, but here at LOGC, we view them as an opportunity – and in our experience, often the most beautiful home designs come from sloped blocks.
The secret to building on a sloped block is to work with the slope, not against it. Split-level designs work wonders here, as they allow you to take advantage of the elevation changes to achieve a completely unique floorplan that cleverly maximises the surrounding views. A split-level design will also help you minimise excavation, which can be a costly and time consuming process. With the right builder by your side, a sloping block can transform your house from a challenge into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Similarly to sloping sites, oddly-shaped blocks are often looked upon as undesirable, but if you’re looking for a truly unique and characterful home, look no further! Whether you’re considering building on a triangular block, a narrow site or a trapezoid-shaped piece of land, there are many strategies you can implement to achieve a beautiful family home.
A triangular block offers a fantastic opportunity to create a central, light-filled courtyard as the heart of your home, while a narrow lot makes vertical living incredibly appealing. A uniquely-shaped block might surprise you with its potential for creating hidden nooks – perfect for reading areas, cosy home offices or even custom-built bookshelves that highlight the unique angles of the walls. With a little creativity and the assistance of a skilled builder, a uniquely-shaped block can be transformed into a truly stunning and functional home.
Building in or near a flood zone can pose a few challenges to your design and construction efforts. Before any work can begin, you will need to have a thorough site evaluation completed to ascertain the potential risks a flood may pose to your home. Armed with all the facts, you can engage a specialist builder to help you design and construct a custom home that meets all required regulations and will withstand potential flooding events.
A home built within a flood zone might feature an elevated structure (above base flood elevation at a minimum), enhanced drainage and widened walkways and staircases to help you move furniture to higher ground in the event of a flood. It might also draw on materials that can withstand water and moisture damage, like steel, engineering bricks and concrete.
Much like bush-fire rated areas, there are strict guidelines that govern how a home must be built within a flood-prone area. An experienced builder will be able to help you navigate these regulations, while achieving a beautiful family home in the process.
If you’re looking for a specialist builder to help you navigate an unconventional block, get in touch with the expert team at LOGC today.
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