Franklin Architectural

This is a well considered dream home of 420 m². By working with the architect from the start, we pooled our knowledge of products and our years of project management to get a great result.

The design makes the most of a unique, narrow hilltop site with views on all sides. Living areas open onto decks and patios, so there is always somewhere to go, whichever way the wind blows.

Materials were chosen for the look and feel, and also for their thermal properties and strength, because this is a very high wind zone. The goal was to be as cost effective as possible without compromising the design.

A challenging site

The site was steep, with narrow access. Some of the challenges:

• A long road had to be carved up through the paddock.
• Services had to be placed carefully, in consultation with the other trades.
• Heavy machinery often had to be driven up backwards so it would not get stuck.
• Six large, messy macrocarpa trees had to be removed.
• 94 truckloads of soil were moved to create a flat site.
• The engineers needed very deep foundations: over 100 concrete and retaining piles, up to six metres deep.
• Because of the access, the planned pool had to go in before the house foundations were laid.
• A deck juts out over the steep bank, so it feels like it is floating.

The finishing touches

Catherine’s interior design and project management skills supported the job throughout, and the team’s focus on quality workmanship gave a beautiful finish. Bespoke details include custom hall panelling, the stair banister design, special solar and lighting solutions and bluestone feature walls.

Chris’s skill at sourcing hard to find products came to the fore in finding beautiful timber for the decks and interior ceilings. The team did excellent work on the exposed timber and added personal touches, like LED lighting in the tray ceilings.

Project management meant keeping on top of many sub trades. That included hardscaping by our team: retaining walls and careful levelling make the flow between the house, decks, patios, steppers and driveway almost seamless.