Clubs provide an important role for millions of Australians across a wide range of activities. Whether you are a sporting or recreational club or a support club like an RSL or Men’s Shed, you exist to engage with the community, provide connectivity and space to bring like-minded people together.

Did you know that there are well over 6,500 registered community clubs across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia*? With that number significantly growing each year there is an opportunity for local areas to look at providing multi-use spaces that can accommodate a wide variety of activities and groups under one roof.

As land and real estate become more expensive and less readily available, it is important that we start looking outside the silos of traditional sports and recreational facilities. For example: in years gone by the hockey club, football club and local jujitsu all had individual locations, why not create a combined space whereby the core amenities can be used by anyone?

Clubs evolve with a specific activity or interest in mind, they bring people together and create a sense of belonging or ownership. They foster strong connections and encourage growth and pride in individual or team achievements as well as in the club itself. It makes sense to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that is easily accessible and recognisable.

Raising the funds to upgrade, update or build new facilities is one of the first hurdles. Either through sponsorship, fundraising or applying for local and/or government grants. You need to understand what you are trying to achieve and have a realistic understanding of how much the changes are going to cost.

Engage a professional to develop your ideas into tangible plans and help you budget for the changes. CDA is a strong believer in community and creating spaces that are not only visually appealing and inviting but encourage health and wellbeing while growing your members.

To quote a movie – ‘If you build it, they will come’ more specifically ‘If you build what they are missing, then they will come AND stay’.

*www.clubsaustralia.com.auhttps://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding

Continuing with the theme of building and designing sports, recreational and community facilities, this week’s blog is all about first impressions and the importance of welcoming your members. I don’t mean by having the nicest doorperson or super chirpy receptionist –these are nice to have – what I’m talking about is a well-designed building entrance. Something that says welcome as soon as you drive up.

Your entrance should be a mixture of practical and wow. It’s the first thing people see so it must:

1. Identify what the building is used for and establish a connection to the streetscape and surrounding community

2. Welcome them inside – easy to see where you need to go and instantly you feel comfortable.

3. Be accessible to everyone – stairs, ramps, sliding doors – not only functionally accessible but also provide a safe area including good lighting and shelter and well drained to keep water from coming in during wet weather

4. Set the tone for the whole building – are you walking into a tranquil retreat for relaxation or are you stepping into an indoor sporting facility.

5. Match the location and setting – are you adding to an existing building or building new. The entrance frames the rest of the building.

There have been several projects CDA have worked on where we have been asked to update the façade and entrance to a building. It is important to create a functional entrance but one where you don’t feel uncomfortable walking into the building.

We proposed a concept for an existing Outdoor Education and Conference Centre. The design marries the original building with the bushland setting and modernises it. Combining the timber and tin heralds the original character yet freshens the entrance.

A PCYC we worked on updated the existing plain building, adding a high-level open structure to visually welcome visitors, along with updating the ramps and the foyer area to open the entrance and access to the reception.

Finally, a rural administration facility was a little more formal due to its functionality yet used the large timber structure to frame the entrance for the entering visitors. In this case the timber was introduced as a softer texture offering warmth and a more human scale to the building.

A home owner tends to the front lawn, the driveway and the gardens of their house to ensure a great first impression, same principals apply to a commercial or recreational building. It shows you take pride in your facility and that you are welcoming people in. Entrances set the tone for how you want to continue and CDA can offer design solutions to create the ideal tone.

In a previous blog I mentioned the need to design not only to a client’s brief, but also take into consideration location and environment. Before meeting with CDA, there are a few things to consider when putting together your ideas. Some may sound like common sense, but you would be surprised at how many of the practical things get missed when clients have the ‘big’ picture in front of them.

Top 10 things to consider when building in Queensland!

1. Location – will you be easy to get to, is there public transport, how visible are you from the road? There is no point in building a state-of-the-art facility if no one knows you are there.

2. Orientation and slope of block – West facing? Think of the sun/shade. For example, putting an outdoor pool completely in shade all day not only makes the pool cold, it reduces the number of months per year you can use and increases your heating bill! If you have land with a steep slope, this will increase building costs and directly impact on the design.

3. Car parking – think about your customers, your target audience. Will they be driving 4WDs, do you need bus parking, where will you put disabled parking, are the parks wide enough for say parents juggling bags and small children or prams, does traffic flow quickly, in one way and out a different access point?

4. Insurance – it may seem strange to think of insurance this early on but research the local area. Queensland is prone to flooding, cyclones and bush fires. Is the location you have in mind in the middle of a flood zone? Will special consideration need to be given to the design, elevation or the structure itself if you are in an area of high risk.

5. Accessibility and services – ramps, access in and out of playing fields for players and spectators. Bathrooms, change rooms, parent rooms. Will you offer a play room or a ‘kids club’, will your facility offer speciality services such as treatment rooms or conference facilities? What are the requirements for fire exits, lifts, pool, security, and safety.

6. Acoustics – will your facility be multi-use? For example, I recently attended a function in a meeting room where the coffee machine and café portion for the whole building was at the back of the room – every time someone ordered a juice or a coffee you couldn’t hear the key note speakers. Will you be holding music events, how close are your neighbours? High ceilings, open plan, banks of windows or louvers are great if you open on to an empty paddock next door but not if you are right next to residential.

7. Sustainability – sports and recreational facilities and community buildings are designed to hold large numbers of people. Think about how you can reduce the buildings footprint. Can you use solar power, can you design for natural ventilation, water tanks, what kind of landscaping will help with shade or are there recycled materials you can use?

8. Building materials – cost obviously comes into play when choosing the right materials but also weigh up maintenance. Timber looks amazing, but the harsh Queensland sun can also mean constant re-staining and sealing. Instead of using metal for outdoor seating think about other materials that may not cause harm to spectators in the middle of summer and colours – blacks and dark colours absorb heat and given the number of summer days we have are there more natural tones that could keep things cooler?

9. Flow of traffic – not just cars. The practical flow of people inside of the building. Registration desk, reception, canteen, amenities such as showers and toilets and door openings. Mentally ‘walk through’ the design with us and see if you are creating any concerns, further into the process 3D modelling may be useful as well. For example, at breakfast at a lovely new café, the counter to pay was quite literally at the front door, when more than 2 people were lined up to pay no one could open the front door.

10. Capacity - how many people are you catering for? Legally, how many can you have in the building. Think about maximum capacity of say - numbers of teams playing, spectators and possibly the conference room being full. Also, how many people do you need to be using the facility each day to make the numbers stack up?

These 10 dot points are simply a starting point for planning and design. Answer each of these before coming along to your first meeting with CDA and you will be well on the way to understanding not only what you want to design but who the end user is.

Queensland’s weather is spectacular, we are really lucky, but it can also be very harsh. Harsh not only on buildings and external structures but also on the users for the building. Whether you are designing and building a new sports and recreational facility or perhaps upgrading an existing community centre each project comes with a unique set of challenges. Understanding the location and environment, along with a strong sense of who you want to attract to your facility will mean you are creating a space that will be well used.

As Architects, not only do we focus on the client’s design brief but it is a belief that we also must consider both the broader and local regions and communities we are designing for. For example – living in Queensland affords the need for high ceilings, great ventilation and an escape from the heat where as in Victoria we would consider lower ceilings, less overhang on buildings and ways to ensure the heat stays within the building.

This is not only restricted to states but can be further broken into local regions. The designs you find close to the water and bayside here in Redlands offer a different feel than if you were more rural such as a property in Boonah or a sporting clubhouse in Kilcoy.

Environment and location obviously come into play, you can see that easily. A rural homestead vs a beach side house, somewhere to live or somewhere to holiday, availability of resources and local services such as water or power and even the debate between sustainability and conventional on the grid. To be of any value to the user, a building must acknowledge its place and purpose.

One of the most enjoyable parts of my design career has been seeing the variety of projects that come through our studio. Be it a sports and recreational facility Bayside, a holiday home in bushland, a residential extension on acreage, a new small lot home inner city or an administration building in a rural setting. Each of these locations allow us to explore and establish a footprint that is ideal for not only the client but marries with the local community and environment.

When looking to engage an architect, we here at CDA believe that you need someone who has a variety of experience and a portfolio of projects that show versatility and understanding of who, what and where they are building. There is no point in designing an amazing recreational building with a full wall of glass windows if the orientation is west or perhaps a front façade featuring ornate metal objects in a cyclone prone region. Understanding the community, the environment and the use of the building all interact to create the design solution that is not only visually appealing but also functional and practical.

CDA are located bayside in the glorious natural setting of the Redlands. We have a passion for variety. Not only in locations but also in projects – be it a new build, a renovation, a recreational or sporting related facility, commercial or residential we welcome the opportunity to show you what a truly local and Queensland based firm can offer.

Our Architectural studio has recently seen an increased inquiry from property owners about show cause notices, usually this is accompanied by a sense of panic and concern.

In simple terms, show cause or a non-compliance notice is a formal notification from your local Council asking you to explain/prove that you have the correct approvals for a structure or renovation.

It comes about when an inspector flags that what you have on your property is different from Council records.

There are a few ways to protect yourself:

When buying a property, always check that any renovations, additions or even the build itself have the correct building permits, compliant architectural drawings and engineering certificates.

Seek professional advice – if in doubt ask for advice. There are not many things that do not require an approval when it comes to building. Always check first just to be safe.

Keep your own records – you never know when that random plan, or piece of paper will be asked for.

Notices are usually issued based on a lack of records to show the correct building permits; for example - your building is in a state of disrepair, you have completed works on a character home without the correct approvals or you have had a material change of use for your property.

It is very difficult to halt the process once the notice has been issued, and often has one of two outcomes:

1. Remove the structure

2. Back-track through the process to obtain the necessary approvals.

In short, seek professional advice. CDA have strong working relationships with Town Planners, Certifiers and Structural Engineers allowing us to tap into these resources to ensure we work towards a positive outcome. There has been an increase in enquiry for assistance with these notices and the majority of cases so far have been successful with approval, albeit after some form of modification to the existing structure to meet current building codes.

Feel free to give us a call and we can talk through your queries. Each case is different and we are happy to share our experience and knowledge to assist in alleviating your concerns.

Please also refer to your local Council’s webpage. They generally have FAQs on what a show cause is, why it was issued, the relevant legislation applicable in your area and how to go about rectifying the situation.

In recent years there has been an influx of collective work hubs. From the humble converted Queenslander, formal traditional office spaces and boardrooms, through to the grand open spaces of an old warehouse. Collective work environments offer an opportunity for like-minded people to work in close proximity, sharing creative energy whilst reducing overheads of running a small business.

The way we do business and who we do business with has changed in the past 2 decades. More and more people are choosing to work for themselves, starting smaller family/service orientated businesses. These changes reflect a move in our thinking for work/life balance and when starting out most of these businesses are run from the spare room, the home garage or sharing a space in your living room. Hence the need for collective ‘hubs’ was born.

These ‘hubs’ offer an amazing opportunity for those who have commercial space that is currently sitting dormant or possible needs a face lift. When thinking of creating a space you need to look at who you want to target? Are you looking to attract creative clients, small business clients or professionals looking for a ‘satellite’ office?

Think about the space you have on offer, how you can create a mix of multi-function work desks, private offices, boardrooms, common space meeting and kitchen facilities or do you need open plan, large desks for laying out artwork or plans.

Will your space be on trend and capture a younger market or are you looking to attract corporate clients who require smaller formal meeting rooms, conference call facilities and high-speed internet?

Collective work environments are on the increase. Small businesses are not looking to be locked into long term leases or contracts and are keen to keep overheads low yet sometimes working from home can be isolating, not to say sometimes inconvenient for work/life balance.

If you are looking to create a space to attract a wide variety of tenants – either on a month-to-month basis or small short-term lease, CDA can offer creative input into the design but also practical advice around services you need to offer, permits required and help connect you with industry specialists to attract the right mix for your space. Creating a versatile, multi-use space may be the answer for the commercial or investment property that needs a new lease on life!

Growing family, changing dynamics, home office – whatever your reason for adding space to your home, planning and designing your changes before you plough straight into knocking down that wall, will allow you to deliver your project on time and hopefully within budget!

A project we are currently working on is adding space to acreage. An existing home needing that little bit more. In this case, the brief was something small, simple and multi-functional. Our solution was a recreational pavilion attached to the existing home via a verandah.

Multi-purpose spaces are perfect additions to an existing home. Think about how your new space will fit into your lifestyle. Don’t just polarise your space as a bedroom. Why not a fold out couch or even a pull-down bed? Think about the storage and how you can add value and functionality. What about the finishes, flooring and furnishings, will it flow with the feel of the rest of the home?

If you are lucky enough to have the land space, creating a separate pavilion (like in our clients’ case) adds a private and separate retreat zone which is perfect for use as a home office, entertaining, guest bedroom or teenage retreat. Adding the linking verandah not only creates smooth connection to the existing home, but forms a visual extension to the existing house style, not an after-thought.

Whatever you are looking for the first question should be – what is the space for? From there engaging an experienced professional to help with the design, coordinate the many consultants, and assist with the planning approvals will all help make your renovation a positive experience.

Craig Dinte Architects is here to be as hands on as needed. We believe flexibility, communication and collaboration are key ingredients to any project. Looking for a place to start? Give us a call.

https://www.craigdintearchitects.com.au/acreagehomedesigns

Why do I need an architect? Why can’t I just use a draftsman or a builder? What about an off-the-shelf design? Here at CDA we get asked these questions all the time! All are very valid questions, our response…. Absolutely you can BUT engaging a professional with experience in their field is the difference between ‘ok’ and ‘wow’. You also have the opportunity to custom design.

With nearly two decades as both an architect and a qualified builder I ‘have been around’. Not wanting to tag myself as ‘old’ however every experience is an education, a stepping stone to adding value and moving forward. The current structure of CDA was born from seeing a gap in the market and my own frustrations.

Qualifying originally as Architect, I quickly became dismayed from the quality of both physical construction from builders working on my designs and also their poor ability to communicate (without yelling!) with the client and trades. Later registering as a builder, I was often confused with poor design solutions and insufficient detailed plans presented to me from a client. The reason for such was becoming a common answer…the client wanted to save $ and did not understand the long-term value of a well-designed and documented building. Hence, the vision of CDA was formed.

These days I am off the ‘tools’ and totally focussed on the operation of our Architectural studio. When sitting with potential clients, I firmly believe that my ‘niche’ are the honest experiences I can walk them through during their project. A respected Architect that has a long history of ‘physically’ building (not just standing back project managing). I have an understanding and respect for complexities of the building industry. It is stressful for a client to have an idea come to reality. Yet I can walk with them, communicating from both sides of the coin (design and construction). I stand before a client with a catalogue of built projects and a wealth of understanding when identifying changing trends and working with all areas of trade.

I truly believe in the importance of communication and collaboration. These are key building blocks (pardon the pun!) to any relationship but even more so when you are engaging someone in a professional manner. Long standing relationships with reputable and professional consultants and contractors along with an ability to understand all sides of the project – from a design and construction point of view are invaluable when working with a client.

So, when asking – Which architect will I use? Look at not only their qualifications, professional membership and so on but also their portfolio of projects, the variety of projects and jump on and read their reviews! Referrals and word of mouth are powerful tools. CDA prides themselves in providing creative solutions and quality service no matter the size of the project.

Don’t believe us? Check out our testimonial page or better still google reviews!

https://www.craigdintearchitects.com.au/testimonials

Recently I was approached by clients who knew they wanted to update the look of their 80’s home, but weren’t sure on how to go about it. Having plans drawn up is only a small part of it. Current 3D modelling software enables us to ‘walk’ the client through ideas, visually giving them the ‘wow’ factor they were looking for, and ultimately the confidence to go ahead with the project.

Whether you purchased your home all those years ago or you have recently bought based on location and ‘good bones’, updating your home isn’t as daunting as you think. There are number of things that you need to think about before you start:

1. Look at the positives – what are the features about your home that drew you to it in the first place? Big deck? Great out look? The perfect entertainer? Are these features still important, are there any that need enhancing? Updating? Added to?

2. Look at the style you would like to incorporate – Hamptons, modern, classic lines, colours, do you like the look of render, cladding or would you be happy with just updating the colour. Window, shutters and window sills are all aesthetics that can change the façade to give you a more dramatic affect.

3. Engage a professional. There are a number of companies out there that can sketch you some plans based on your brief but you really need someone who is willing to embrace your brief and give you design solutions you hadn’t even thought of yet. Find someone who isn’t scared of working with you your design solution!

The old saying of ‘never judge a book by its cover’ doesn’t always apply to a house. How many properties did you discount immediately based on first impressions? Whether you are looking to sell or are updating your forever home, making your home feel warm and inviting helps create your own oasis. A space that you can relax in, enjoy your downtime and entertain in.

Think about the whole picture – from the pathway to the door, the shape of the windows or even new landscaping. Does it flow from the front to the back and are you also looking to update internally?

Creating a ‘mood board’ of ideas, pictures, colours, facades, plants, landscaping and so on is a great place to start or come to us with a blank canvas and let CDA work with you to design a revamp that will make you smile every time you come home.

https://www.craigdintearchitects.com.au/homerenovations

In my last post about Feng Shui, I talked about the entrance to the home and what architectural features are necessary for inviting positive chi into the house. A critical design feature for the front door was to ensure it did not align with another door or window to ensure chi dispersed throughout the home rather than race straight back out again. Certainly not the way to create good Feng Shui!

Now while creating good Feng Shui might be the ultimate goal in the design process, we also want to ensure the home is functional. Let’s continue exploring Feng Shui basics by discussing the role of doors and windows in creating harmonious homes.

Quite simply, Feng Shui philosophy says the relationship between doors and windows in a room defines energy flow. Their function is to channel light and energy throughout the home so their shape, size and placement is critically important to creating positive chi.

Windows and doors connect the outdoors to the inner sanctum and this means both good and bad energy can enter and exit through them. Traditionally, these openings are protected from the bad energy with mystical designs, meaningful objects and certain colours. But that is only one part of the puzzle. Managing the energy flow by strategically placing doors and windows is the other.

In order to create good Feng Shui, there are rules that should be followed when it comes to the design process. As I’ve already highlighted, first and foremost, the front and back door should never be aligned as this simply allows good energy to enter the house and immediately leave again. The same goes for a window. Now when it comes to creating houses that are focussed on environmentally friendly ways of cooling through cross ventilation, the Feng Shui floor plan is in direct contrast. However, there are a number of decorative and furnishing options that can be employed to encourage positive chi to remain while allowing natural air flow.

Direct door alignment should also be avoided in other areas of the house, especially when there is little space between the doors. There will be situations where this can’t be avoided particularly in small, modern homes; however, doors that should never be aligned include the bedroom and bathroom; the front door and bedroom door; and the kitchen and bathroom door. The required energies for good Feng Shui in each of these spaces can conflict each other and therefore, discourage positive chi.

Another aspect to consider when it comes to door placement is the situation of ‘arguing doors’ when three or more doors are located in close proximity. In this scenario, the energies associated with each door creates arguments and discord thereby discouraging good Feng Shui. Doors and windows need space around them, to enable easy flow and movement. Too many doors located together produces chaos which in turn can lead to conflicts within the family. Again, architecturally this can be an issue in smaller homes but with creative thinking, this clash can be overcome.

Good Feng Shui says it is best to avoid too many windows along the back of the house. According to the philosophy, the rear of the house is important for the strength and nourishing power of your home – too many windows will weaken the power and energy of the house. In many house designs today, the rear of the home often features a row of full length windows to let in light and create a seamless link between indoors and out which is particularly important in Australian lifestyle; once again, this is in direct contrast to Feng Shui principles. It is possible to overcome this conflict by clever placement of objects and other architectural features but it is advisable to work with a Feng Shui master and your architect to determine the best layout of windows if both lifestyle and Feng Shui values are equally important.

The bedroom is another room where window placement is critically important. Too many windows, low windows and floor-to-ceiling windows are discouraged as they can each lead to weakened energy. Bed placement is vital to creating positive chi – there must be ample space between the bed and window to enable energy flow, as such, the location of windows must be well thought out in the design phase.

It is also vital not to forget window placement in the kitchen and bathrooms. Ideally, both spaces would benefit from multiple windows to encourage good energy flow and ventilation. In many modern floor plans, the number of windows in these areas is often minimised or they are omitted altogether to enable more storage space. This is a big no-no for creating good Feng Shui so care when developing the design must be taken.

The relationship between doors and windows will govern the flow of chi throughout the house so placement must be well thought out when designing the floor plan. An incorrectly located window or door can really weaken energy flow which, according to the Feng Shui philosophy, can negatively impact family wealth and health.

With that in mind, we would love to help you create a home that brings a functional lifestyle and good Feng Shui together so please give Craig Dinte Architects a call to see what our partnership could achieve.

This is a topic of great depth, and could be debated for years at an educational level whilst studying a creative career stream. So the following thoughts are but a mere scrape of the surface, but may assist potential clients who seek an Architect.

It is well known that architects are influencers. Their ideas shape the natural and built environment in which we live, which in turn impacts how we live in the space they’ve designed. Quite a powerful position don’t you think?

There’s plenty of evidence that demonstrates architectural design elements such as light, space, geometry and materials can affect the end-user’s mood, triggering physiological and psychological responses. With people spending an estimated 80-90% of their time indoors over their lifetime, it’s vitally important to get the design right!

Buildings are products of our social and cultural needs and their design is influenced by our beliefs, activities, values and relationships. Functionality is key – the design must work and fulfil the needs of the building’s occupants. It doesn’t matter how visually beautiful a building is, if it doesn’t meet our social and cultural needs, it is virtually useless.

So architects are in a powerful, and potentially dangerous, position. They have the skill base to create designs that influence the end-user and subsequent decisions they make (often in mass numbers). But what influences the architect? And how do they create space that encourages user engagement, inviting them to explore and experience?

First and foremost, an understanding of the occupant should be the primary area of research. The architect and client must have an open, honest and trusting relationship to enable development of a design that meets functionality needs. This process can not be rushed – it needs to be thought out, discussed and debated. It is the outputs of this process that enables the design to evolve and it is in this stage, that the architect wields their greatest influence.

The knowledge and experience amassed by the architect come together to enable them to design a building that balances form and function. But they also draw upon other external influences. The landscape and environment in which the building is to be situated; past and present mentors; current architectural trends; availability of materials and social aspects will all influence the final design. The key is the management of these inspirations to ensure the design meets the end-user’s needs of the end-user and encourages them to connect with it. After all, an client may not be the project’s end user!

This is all easier said than done. Building design is complex with many variables including regulatory and budgetary influences that must be considered. It could be said that even the most skilled architects find it impossible to design the ‘perfect building’. A well designed space has the flexible capacity to adapt to an imperfect and emotionally sensitive living being. It is the successful meshing of both architect’s influence on their client and the client’s trust in the architect’s abilities that aids in achieving this.

I feel that I’ve gone around in circles a little in writing this post but that is how architecture works. We design around social and environmental needs which influence how people function within the built environs and yet, the structures we build are influenced by their occupants.

It is important to know that your experience with Craig Dinte Architects reflects the cornerstones of our business – communication, collaboration and cooperation.

In this continuing series of posts about Feng Shui basics, I wanted to dig deeper into the importance of your home’s entrance. As with everything else Feng Shui, there are plenty of rules for creating an entrance that has good Feng Shui and enables the positive flow of chi into and throughout your home. Read on if you want to invite the good stuff in!

The front door is the most important part of any home’s floor plan as this is how energy will enter the house. In fact, family luck and fortune is inextricably tied to the front door so good Feng Shui here is imperative! The door itself must be welcoming and open inwards to encourage energy to flow into the house. It should be solid, not too ornate, new and rectangular – archways should be avoided as these attract negative energy. Colour is also very important and should match the owner’s favourable element as per the Chinese Zodiac. Avoid beams above the front door as these can bring feelings of depression and thus feel ominous – not how you want to feel when you enter the house.

Ideally, your front door will open into a foyer as this will allow chi to pool then disperse throughout the house. This space should be large enough to sit down, to allow you to catch your breath before proceeding further into the house. There should be room for belongings to be stored in such as a small hall table as well as enough wall space for appropriate Feng Shui artwork. The front door is the energy gateway to your home so you must feel welcomed and comfortable as you enter the house.

A key Feng Shui front door principle is to ensure the front door does not align directly with the back door or window as this will simply encourage the energy to flow straight back out. This also applies to a closet or bathroom door which can both have a negative impact on health and wealth – the last thing anyone wants to see when they enter your house is a toilet seat in an adjoining bathroom! Your front door should promote a smooth flow of energy and serve as a transition between the outer and inner world so it is vital to get its placement right.

Another aspect to consider is the placement of stairs. Front doors should not face a staircase as this encourages chi to rush up the stairs rather than pool in the entrance and disperse gently throughout the house. In large homes with grand entrances this is less of a problem while in smaller homes, energy flow can be managed through furnishings and decorative elements.

Once again, there is so much to know when it comes to designing a home with good Feng Shui. Work closely with your architect to ensure the principles important to you are built into the design. There is more to the design process than just the floor plan – your architect will be able to consider your building site, determine the best orientation for your home and come up with alternatives if your site throws in a surprise or two!

Although we are not experts in this traditional philosophy, designing a home with good Feng Shui is an exciting prospect and we’d love to help you create a harmonious, functional and positive chi space.

Going green is nothing new. We’ve been recycling metal, glass and paper for years; hybrid cars are now commonplace; and we have businesses dedicated to up-cycling and the mantra “reuse, reduce, recycle”. And the building industry is right in the middle of it with green architecture and sustainability at the forefront.

So what exactly are we talking about? Sustainability has become a complex web of confusing terminology so its not surprising clients and builders freak out a little when the terms green, eco-friendly and sustainable start being thrown about. Don’t panic! Green architecture is pretty simple – it’s about designing and constructing a building with the environment in mind. We choose eco-friendly materials and construction practices with the aim of designing an energy efficient, environmentally friendly building.

Green architecture is pretty simple in the scheme of things. Let’s strip it back to basics to see how it works home design.

Site

We want to design a home with the environment in mind so it’s a no-brainer that the design must fit in with the chosen site and its ecology. Design needs to be guided by the building surface – rock, clay, sand, water. The architect needs to think about how the building can be anchored with as little disruption to its surrounds as possible while creating a home that is functional, beautiful and environmentally friendly. The home should be located on the site in such a way that makes the most of light, winds and natural shelter. The architect must also consider rainwater harvesting and renewable energy generation – solar and wind are possibilities and again, the site will help determine which is best for the home and its occupants.

Orientation

The architect will have considered the overall orientation of the home on the site so that natural light and air flow is maximised. However, consideration also needs to be given to the individual placement of each room in the house to ensure the natural elements are effectively and efficiently harnessed. The strategic placement of doors and windows to enable natural air circulation or passive ventilation is a key green architecture principle as it is cost efficient and carbon neutral. It is also important to consider what type of glazing is appropriate for the home. Large windows allow light in but can also let heat out so in colder environments, double glazing may be warranted.

Roofing

In Australia’s hot climate, large roof overhangs are an excellent way to manage heat in the house by shading windows and doors. They are also an ideal way to harvest rainwater, particularly in wetter areas of the country and can also help protect living areas from rain downpours. More recently, there is an option to use green roofing systems in certain environments. These are living, growing roofs that provide a number of benefits including thermal regulation of the home and environment, sound proofing, slowing of water runoff, extending roof lifespan, supporting local biodiversity and growing food.

Outdoor Living

The great outdoors is a big part of the Australian psyche; accordingly, our homes are built with outdoor living in mind. And outdoor space has a green purpose too. These spaces often require less use of lighting, cooling and heating so can be very energy efficient, certainly more so than indoor living spaces. Various materials can be reused and up-cycled to create bespoke, eco-friendly furniture while the use of decorative items such as cushions made from hemp, burlap or other organic materials fit the sustainability bill. Construction of insulated patios or verandas using eco-friendly materials such as aluminium also helps with thermal regulation of the house, improving energy efficiency and reducing cooling and heating bills. What’s not to love?

Landscaping

Don’t forget the landscaping! A sustainable landscape should be attractive, be in balance with the local climate and environment and require minimal resource inputs once established. Planting a few plants about doesn’t make for a sustainable garden but it certainly doesn’t have to be complex. Plants should be suited to local ecology. Choose native species – these will be much hardier in the long term and also attract appropriate insects and wildlife to the garden. Plants that double from a visual and food perspective are also a good sustainable garden choice. Making use of storm-water runoff by encouraging flow into garden beds and green roofs while bio-filtering of wastes through constructed wetlands and gray-water irrigation are relatively simple eco-friendly ways to reduce the home’s carbon footprint. Also consider soil management techniques such as composting to help maintain and enhance soil health and garden biodiversity.

Creating a beautiful, functional sustainable home doesn’t have to be a complex project. I have not highlighted every component that needs to be considered to create a green home but a few basic things can be employed to create a home that is in harmony with the environment. Have you ever created a green space? What worked and what advice would you give to others who were considering going green?

Designing a home that suits the environment and choosing eco-friendly construction materials is just the start to creating a sustainable home. If you’d like to get started down the sustainability path, please give us a call as we’d love to help you create your own bespoke green-house.

Recently, I talked about the role of Feng Shui in architecture and how this ancient Chinese philosophy can be used to create beautiful, functional and harmonious living spaces. The principles of Feng Shui are complex and it is impossible to fully describe and understand this way of thinking in a just a few posts. What we can do though is discuss how Feng Shui can be integrated into different aspects of the architectural design process if these values are important to you.

Feng Shui is all about harmony and balance and creating a balanced energy flow within our environment. This energy, or chi, permeates everything around you and is vital for maintaining physical, environmental and emotional balance. So when it comes to your home, the main goal of Feng Shui is to direct the chi inside your home so that it supports positive chi within you.

Architects are perfectly positioned to take on Feng Shui principles to create a home with positive chi. Let’s delve a little further into this ancient art and consider those attributes that make for a design with good Feng Shui starting with floor plans.

Geometry and symmetry are key words when it comes to Feng Shui; unsurprisingly, the perfect Feng Shui house shape is square. A square is balanced, symmetrical, free of missing corners and once doors and windows are appropriately placed, allows for desirable energy flow throughout.

Rectangular shaped houses also allow for good Feng Shui to be created although care must be taken to avoid long, narrow hallways as this can enable fast movement of chi throughout the house which is not ideal. However, rectangles are easy shapes to work with and by the clever placement of doors, windows and half-walls as well as the use of natural fibres, energy flow can be managed.

Circle shaped homes also benefit from not having missing corners which enables positive energy flow so is another option for creating good Feng Shui. It is worth nothing though, that circles encourage chi to circulate constantly creating a high energy space which may be too busy for some people to comfortably live within.

Irregular shapes, such as triangles or L-shapes, block energy flow so are not ideal for creating positive chi although there are a number of ‘cures’ that can be utilised to improve the space. Making use of the Bagua Chart is the ideal way to determine what shaped house will create the best chi and space for you.

Moving onto room placement and layout, there are many complex rules that must be considered to ensure the perfect energy flow. Open plan designs, especially with high ceilings, often create good Feng Shui. Ideally, the kitchen should be located towards the back of the house and linked to a well defined dining space. Also linked to the kitchen, the living area is the epicentre of the house and should be large for family and entertaining activities.

Bedrooms are places of rest and relaxation and are therefore best located away from the main activity of the house. There are a few rules with bedroom placement that must be adhered to for ideal energy flow. Bedrooms should not be located over a garage, office, kitchen or directly across from a staircase. They should not be connected to a home office as this is a high energy space which conflicts with the chi required for sleep. A laundry should never be beside a bedroom due to conflict between Feng Shui forces of water and wind. A bedroom on a lower floor should never be placed directly underneath an upper floor bedroom as it creates energy flow havoc. And when it comes to an ensuite or closet, never position these on the same wall as the bed.

In multi-storey houses, staircases can interfere with the natural flow of chi so these are best positioned on outer walls of the house. Staircases should also be wide and gracefully curve in a clockwise motion. They should not be aligned with the front door in particular and landings should also not face any doors. Ideally, stairs should be constructed of wood and not be an open tread design as this can destabilise energy flow.

There is absolutely no doubt that Feng Shui is complex but there are many ways to draw on the principles to create a home with a positive energy and feel. If the philosophy is important to you, a good architect can design a floor plan using the above rules as a guide but also use their experience to create a home that is harmonious within the local environment and also meet your functionality needs.

At Craig Dinte Architects, our team loves nothing more than creating the perfect space and one with good Feng Shui, well that’s a challenge we’d love to explore with you.

If you’ve read any of my previous blogs or even just skimmed my website, you will know just how much I love working with containers. They are versatile, durable, strong and you can put them just about anywhere. In fact, there are very few downsides to undertaking a container conversion in my book. They make the perfect starting point for creating beautiful, functional and cost effective small living spaces and there’s nothing quite like a container design project to get my creative juices flowing.

As with any design and building project, you must undertake some research to ensure you can achieve your goal. While building with containers may seem the easy option (it’s like building with Lego right?), there are a few things unique to container conversions that you must consider. Don’t be alarmed! I still believe building with containers is a great way to get the space you want but let’s discuss a few aspects to ensure your container build is a success.

The Right Container

Shipping containers are not equal. There are different sizes and types with different purposes – high cube, regular, refrigerated. Some have been around the world a few times while others are known as “single or one trip” containers that are virtually like new. Yes they are a bit more expensive but you know they haven’t seen much action so might be a better option for your build. Inspect the containers before you purchase. The pictures on the website might look great but your opinion of “in great condition” might be vastly different from the vendor’s! If you don’t feel confident in knowing what to look for, bring in your builder, architect or someone with structural knowledge to check them out for you. Also try to buy local so you can save money on transport costs.

Importance of Insulation

It’s pretty obvious that a steel box is going to get hot, especially in Australia! Insulation is absolutely imperative for any container that is designed for inhabitation as it will help regulate temperature and keep out moisture that could cause erosion or mould. There are several insulation methods including spray foam, insulation panels, blanket insulation and natural insulation products. Spray foam is versatile, being useable internally and externally, and is the quickest way to insulate a container but is more expensive and messier than other methods. Insulation panels and blankets require stud walls to enable them to be fixed to walls so the process is more time consuming but it is a cheaper alternative to spray foam. Natural products such as wool and cotton or a living roof also offer great insulation properties and tick the eco-friendly box but will take longer to install. You could also use a combination of insulation methods depending on your project, climate and budget. The key message here is not to skimp on insulation…it will save you money in heating and cooling, keep your container dry and you happy!

Don’t Cut Too Much

One of the best features of shipping containers is their strength. Admittedly, they are also dark so the temptation to cut away the steel to let in light is pretty strong too. Withstand the urge to cut it all away! Every cut weakens the structure and means other reinforcing needs to be introduced to ensure the overall structure remains safe and strong. I am all for introducing light but approach this carefully with the bigger picture in mind. Consider the functional needs of your space to determine the best placement of doors and windows. Consider alternative lighting methods for spaces that may not need a window such as skylights. Use light paint colours to help brighten and lighten the space which can maximise the natural light that does stream in. Every cut will also increase the cost of the build so think carefully about how this could impact on your budget.

At One With Nature

Building with shipping containers is a wonderful way to reuse, reduce and recycle. Consider going green with your container conversion by introducing eco-friendly power, plumbing and water collection systems. This is especially useful for small space designs that may be located rurally or even in your backyard, especially if you want to keep utility costs reduced. When developing your design, also consider the site and how the container home should be oriented to maximise natural light, cooling and heating and so it fits in with the natural environment. Don’t forget, containers are made of steel and can be noisy in high winds so consider the local weather conditions and elements to ensure your home remains comfortable.

Building Regulations & Codes

As with any building project, you need to make sure you have the necessary permits and planning permissions and ensure your build meets local requirements. Although container homes are becoming far more common, they’re still a little out of the box, so-to-speak, so don’t assume a design approved for one location will automatically be approved for another. Shipping containers are built to resist fire and extreme weather conditions but local regulations will determine if further fire retardation is required or if your design will withstand local environmental conditions. Ask questions first, bring in an expert with good planning connections and then develop your design with that knowledge in mind as it could just save you money and a whole lot of angst in the long-run.

When it comes to building a container home, small or large, the options are endless! Your project really is only limited by your imagination and budget, although building with containers can be a cost-effective option so you may be able to get more for your money than you think. Do your research, talk to people who have experience and bring in the experts before you start.

Shipping container conversions are my passion! I especially love taking a seemingly single-purpose object and refashioning it into a beautiful, functional and liveable small space. If you’re interested in building with shipping containers, whether that is to create a backyard studio or something altogether grander, please get in touch as I’d love to help create your perfect space.

Currently on the market - Tiny Houses Shipping Container Conversion

Balance in one’s life is important – a balanced diet, work/life balance, the bank balance! It’s also pretty important in your home, a space which should be comfortable, functional and harmonious. The one place you can be yourself.

This is where the traditional Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui can help. Feng Shui is all about harmony and balance, in particular harnessing the qualities of wind and water to create chi, a balanced energy flow, in our environment. It can teach us how to create healthy, harmonious environments and is being integrated into many design and building projects across the world.

We are by no means experts in this field draped with historic depth and significance, but there are many basic Feng Shui principles that can be applied to everyday architecture. New builds allow Feng Shui to be integrated into the design while remodelling allows the creative placement of objects, colours or reflective materials using the basic principles.

We are becoming more and more in tune to the basic principles after working closely with Feng Shui consultants on a number of projects. I, personally, find the philosophy fascinating and have great respect for the principles and the balance they can bring. This blog, merely scratches the surface of how 'good' Feng Shui can be achieved from an architectural perspective.

Inviting Entrance

The key when it comes to designing a home with good Feng Shui is the entrance. There should only be one front door that is clean, unencumbered and well maintained, ideally facing the street to invite energy flow into house. A curved path leading to the door discourages an “arrow” of negative energy while an inwards opening door is inviting, allowing positive chi to enter. However, consideration to internal wall and window placement must be given to ensure energy flow isn’t blocked or lost. For example, internal walls opposite the front door can block chi while large windows or doors will see positive energy leave almost immediately. There are many rules that need to be considered from a Feng Shui perspective but these can be easily incorporated in the design process of a new build while a number of decorative techniques can be used to deflect negative energy and improve overall Feng Shui.

Floor Plans

A home with good Feng Shui must flow, allowing unrestricted movement of energy throughout the house. High ceilings and open plan designs are ideal. Good kitchen design is particularly important as this room is the hub or heart of the home and is essential to good health and well-being. Natural ventilation and an abundance of natural daylight is vitally important to promoting positive chi so large windows are key to design. Workspaces should be distinct from living and rest areas to encourage the right energy flow. Bedrooms need to provide a peaceful energy so should be located in a quiet part of the house to enable occupants to recharge. However, there are rules associated with door and window placement as well as orientation of the bed, so care with the design must be taken. The Bagua Chart is a key tool for floor plan design so that the right Feng Shui can be achieved.

De-clutter

The design system of Feng Shui says your surroundings have a powerful effect on your life and if the energy around you is blocked, your environment can negatively impact your prosperity, health and relationships. And clutter is one of the biggest culprits! Clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward. De-cluttering is a relatively simple way to improve the chi in your home and there are many straightforward methods that can be utilised to achieve this. However, this is an area where we can help from an architectural design perspective. For example, suitable storage can be incorporated into new designs to help avoid clutter occurring in the first instance while bespoke storage systems using Feng Shui principles can be incorporated into existing spaces. Considering the values of Feng Shui during the design phase, regardless of whether it is a new build or renovation, can help ensure positive chi in the home is achieved.

Colour

It’s no secret that colour impacts wellbeing. Think about it – a bright, blue sky on a sunny day can make you feel alive while a dull, grey day really does seem to get you down. In Feng Shui, colour is considered extremely powerful and can alter the energy that flows in and around your home. It is vital to use the correct colours in the right areas to ensure you build positive energy, clarity and happiness. For example, orange represents fire and is active, stimulating and social, great for kitchens, living areas, dining rooms and other entertaining spaces. Orange is linked to fame or reputation and can impact prosperity, relationships or love. Blue on the other hand, is calming, healing, soothing and relaxing, best used in the bathroom. It is linked to knowledge and skills and can impact prosperity in your career or life journey. Every colour is linked with energies that can be harnessed positively to improve your life.

Feng Shui colours do get a little more complex though. Since ancient times, with the change of every lunar year, the Chinese Zodiac animal changes (2018 is the Year of the Dog) along with the energies associated with colours. According to one Feng Shui Master, 2018 is the year of consolidation and for each Chinese Zodiac sign, colour charts have been developed to boost luck and energy levels particularly in the areas of love & relationships, wealth & career enhancement, nobleman & helper achievement, and academic achievement. Basically, if you are Feng Shui inspired, be prepared to get the paint brushes out and update your colour schemes every year. Check out just one Feng Shui 2018 colour chart here.

Feng Shui can also be effectively used in gardens and outdoor spaces. Not surprisingly, each direction is associated with different energies and impacts on well being. The use and placement of water features, plant species, colour, raked stones or sand, rocks, trees and garden furniture should be considered and strategic based on how you want to enhance your life. The link between the house and natural environment is vitally important and should be comfortable and harmonious. Involving your architect in the landscape design process can help ensure good Feng Shui is achieved.

The art of Feng Shui is complex and involved but there are many ways to draw on the principles to create a home with a positive energy and feel. As I said, we are certainly not experts in this field but we love to create spaces that flow, are comfortable, functional and harmonious with the environment. And homes that work in harmony with you.

Beautiful, elegant, timeless – I’ve used these words before to describe one of my favourite styles of house, the Queenslander. Constructed of timber, Queenslanders are distinct and have a commanding presence. But what is it about them that makes them a Queenslander? And can we say that all timber homes then are a type of Queenslander? Let’s explore…

The quintessential Queenslander, with its timber construction and corrugated iron roof, first appeared in the 1840s and is still a popular style today. Houses of this type are common throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales and although they share features with architecture in other parts of Australia, they are unique and easily distinguishable.

Prominent external staircases, steep gabled roofs, French doors and the defining trait of being built on stumps are essential features of the classic Queenslander. But it is the front and side verandas of these single storey, high set homes that really characterise a timber home as a Queenslander. This simple, external space extends the living area, creating a semi-formal space and links indoors to out. Its importance as an architectural feature can not be underestimated though…providing protection from the sun and late-afternoon downpours, the veranda is a vital element of this style of home.

What we love about Queenslanders is that they incorporate a number of simple yet smart design principles! Doors and windows are aligned to encourage uninterrupted airflow throughout the structure. High ceilings, ceiling fans and above-door vents enable cross-ventilation and passive cooling. Steep roofs encourage fast water run-off and capture during Queensland’s typical summer downpours of rain while stumps help avoid termite attack, overcome uneven terrain during construction and also contribute to cooling airflow beneath the house. What’s not to love?

Now while Queenslanders feature these characteristics, there are several distinguishable styles spanning the decades. Brisbane showcases beautifully the evolution of this architectural style with Victorian, Federation, Colonial and interwar timber homes common throughout the city. Victorian and Federation Queenslanders were grand, beautifully ornate and are often situated in the more affluent areas of the state. When war hit, houses became smaller, often losing some veranda space, with the colonial and interwar styles becoming more common.

During the interwar stage, the Ashgrovian Queenslander evolved in the Brisbane suburb of Ashgrove. These homes were an adaptation of the bungalow style of home, always fronted by a grand gable roof and often surrounded by smaller secondary gables. Verandahs still featured but were smaller and often closed in to create sleep outs. By the end of the Second World War however, the need for cheaper homes saw the style change. Verandas were reduced to small landings or removed altogether; internal walls were constructed of fibreboards such as asbestos sheeting; concrete rather than timber stumps were used as the foundation; and although house frames were constructed of timber, the use of brick veneer became more common.

In recent years, the desire for an elegant, grand Queenslander has increased with many owners tending to focus on one of three directions:

Building a new ‘replica’ Queenslander style with modern materials.Renovating their old home to its former glory with time and energy spent on revitalising its historic elements. These are the traditionalists among us, and are often prepared to get in and personally assist with some time-consuming restoration work.A combination of tidying up the original home, but then complementing this with a new modern extension. Absolute care and respect must be given with this path as there is an irreplaceable history to the timber home.

We love an old Queenslander but we also thrive on creating contemporary and innovative ways to modernise the style and make it work flexibly for families today. A quick glance at our portfolio of renovation work would appease your mind of our experience and respect for these homes.

There are plenty of architecturally designed innovative, bold, ‘timber and tin’ home designs that in some way and form feature a Queenslander characteristic or two. It cannot be argued that a true Queenslander commands respect, there’s something about them that makes you stop and stare, they make you smile – “joie de vive” comes to mind!

Reference: Place to start for more history is Brisbane City Councilor the State Library

Man-cave, haven, sanctuary or simply a little space to yourself! There are times when we could all do with somewhere we can retreat to take a little time out from our busy lives. Some properties come with small spaces which are perfectly useable as is or have ‘project’ written all over them. But for many of us, this is something that needs to be done from scratch…and it could be an enjoyable task to undertake!

Design and construction of small functional living spaces is becoming very popular. In fact, in cities where high density living is necessary, there are architects and builders that specialise in these spaces, fitting them onto the tiniest of sites that are often price discounted because of their seemingly low usefulness. Turn on your TV and you will find an influx of ‘tiny build’ reality shows currently, showcasing the people and processes of achieving these.

But a small space doesn’t just mean a building on a tiny parcel of land – caravans, buses, boats, shipping containers and even train carriages lend themselves to be re-purposed as small living spaces that can be located pretty much anywhere (subject to local Council regulations). They are limited only by your imagination…and perhaps your budget! If constructing a practical, quirky and even ‘green’ small living space sounds like the perfect project, here are a few basic things to consider:

Design

Time to let your imagination run wild but firstly, consider what type of space you want. Will it be a man-cave to play music in? Or perhaps it’s a chill-out zone for the kids? Or a secondary liveable space for an ageing relative? Think about the things it needs such as power, lighting, insulation, heating or cooling and how you might like to fit it out. Then you can start thinking about how it could look…single or double story, its shape and building material, perhaps you have an old boat or caravan that could be used. This is also the time to consult with people who have experience in small space design. Check out others’ projects, get on the internet and search for ideas or perhaps engage an architect or designer to take you that step further. As I said, anything goes when it comes to small spaces so why not have a bit of fun with it!

Construction

Right, your design is complete and you know what you want. The next step, although it does go hand-in-hand with design, is to determine how it will be constructed. Consider your experience and if it is something you can realistically build yourself. Will you do it from scratch or purchase a kit off the shelf? Perhaps bringing in a builder or company that specialises in a particular format is the way to go. For shipping containers, caravans, trailers and the like, less building is required as the structure is mostly already in place so you really just need to get your interior design hat on. There are so many options when it comes to construction of your small space so again, talk to people with experience, bring in a professional or two if you need or even do an owner builder course to help you understand the building process.

Building Approvals

Now before you jump in and start ordering materials or engaging trades, you need to consider if your small space requires building approvals. There is a mind-field of local & state regulations that encumbrance the building industry. It is highly recommended to speak to a respected Town Planner or Building Certifier before proceeding. Your site location may also determine what can and can’t be done so it’s vital you talk to your local council before you start. Any builder or architect worth their weight in gold will be able to help with this (or at least direct you to appropriate information) so if engaging one of these professionals, make sure you do your homework and get the right person. Currently, caravans and trailers permanently located on a property do not require building approvals as they are not fixed structures but there are a number of rules surrounding their use so do ask the question before you get cracking on the build.

Lean & Green

When developing plans for your small space, there’s a great opportunity to incorporate ‘green’ design and ‘energy efficiency’ principles. Budget obviously comes into play but perhaps power can be provided by solar panels while heating and cooling can be assisted through cleverly designed orientation techniques for airflow. The type of space you create and how you use it, will determine how lean and green you can go but it is a wonderful opportunity to employ energy saving techniques and sustainable construction processes, engaging with the environment rather than taking away from it.

We at Craig Dinte Architects enjoy the challenge of designing an original small space that is functional, sustainable, energy efficient and engages conversation amongst users. There are so many techniques, options and ideas out there now and we would be happy to discuss a solution that creates the perfect space for you.

Useful links:

Building your own home is one of the most exciting journeys you can embark on. It’s an opportunity to create a unique, perfect space for you and your family; to define who you are to the world and perhaps yourself. There is so much more to the process than building “4 bedrooms and open plan living” and the ride can be absolutely exhilarating!

As with any project, success is in the detail. The process doesn’t have to be complicated but it does require a lot of research and planning to ensure you get it right. And asking for a bit of help along the way will help you make your dream home a reality while keeping the journey exciting and even enjoyable!

Ready to ride? Then follow my six steps to building you new dream home…

1. Determine your goals

Get the notebook out, grab a cup of tea or perhaps a glass of wine and starting jotting down what you want your new home to be. Write down your practical needs as well those out-of-this-world ideas that would make your home completely individual. Ask yourself what you want to achieve, whether it is achievable and if it makes sense? Throw ideas around, trawl home build magazines, think big, get creative…this wish list will seed the plans and help grow your home.

2. Establish a budget

Before anything can start, you need to establish how much money you can realistically put into the project. Talk to your lender to get an idea of what type of mortgage is possible. Get any current properties appraised so you know where you are at financially. Obviously budgeting for the nitty gritty is difficult until you know exactly what type of house you’re going to build, but its good to have an upper limit at this stage to enable you to make some basic design and build decisions.

3. Find your land

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to go shopping for that perfect parcel of land! Perhaps you’re after an ocean view or maybe several hundred acres so you can be self-sufficient? Even if it’s a small suburb plot, it’s your own piece of dirt ripe for development…the ride has begun! Before you buy however, consider your building goals and perhaps have a chat to an architect or builder to make sure the block is right for your project.

4. Gather your troops

Building a house isn’t war but you do need the right people in place to ensure the project goes to plan. An architect and builder, if not one and the same, are really the minimum number of professionals to have on your side. These people are more than their design and building skills…they will become your guides, advocates, therapists and even counsellors while on your journey. They know the lay of land, the ins and outs of planning approvals and how to get things done with as minimum fuss as possible. And they know people…kitchen and bathroom suppliers, landscape architects, lighting specialists just to name a few. The right team is crucial to getting the home you want so do your homework, don’t be afraid to ask questions and be choosy!

5. Plan, plan, plan

Before you even consider turning he first sod of earth, plan, plan and plan some more! The planning phase should be in-depth and robust and should never, ever be rushed. Take the time to sit with your architect and plan everything in detail. Questions should come from both sides, possible problems should be considered and solutions developed…moving walls on paper is a whole lot easier than once the frame is up! You will be asked to make many decisions so don’t rush the thought process. Go back to your goals, consult your notebook of ideas and make sure everything you want has been considered. Remember, this is your dream home and it’s your architect’s expertise that will assist in obtaining it!

6. Build it

The day is here. Everything is in place – plans, permits, money. The only thing to do now is to build it! It would be nice to think that the build will go perfectly to plan but stuff happens. Don’t stress…contingencies will have been accounted for and built into the works program. This is the time to count on your team and work with them to get problems sorted and get the job back on track. If you have a concern, always be open and honest with your architect and builder…they’re pretty good at figuring out what clients want but they’re not mind-readers after all! Hang in there, your new home is not far away.

No matter how you eventually get there, the journey will be well worth it. As always it is important to have a team of professionals in your corner. Don’t know where to start? That’s easy…get in touch and we can help provide you with a roadmap and point you in the right direction.

We all like to put our own stamp on the home we buy. A bit of paint, new flooring or perhaps a kitchen make-over might be all that is needed to make your newly purchased house feel like home. But sometimes you stumble across the perfect renovator’s delight that is screaming out for a complete overhaul and before you know it, your mind has run away with all the possibilities!

So what’s the next step? You’ve lined up your mortgage, your family and friends have given the tick of approval on your prospective new home and the building and pest inspection is underway. With your mind excitedly racing full of renovation / extension ideas, I would suggest you take a breath and stop…there’s something else I think you should consider before you sign on the dotted line and start drawing up plans. Invest in an initial consultation with a respected architect that specialises in home renovations.

The best laid plans can sometimes go astray when you don’t have all the information. A building and pest inspection can highlight issues such as termite infestations, dodgy wiring or structural integrity problems but it is generally a report on the condition of the building and what expenses you may be up for to fix them. It certainly does not take into consideration any grand renovation plans you might have and whether they are achievable.

Consider the following scenario. The building and pest inspection gives the all-clear so you start making plans to expand the living space by moving a couple of walls. Rough plans are drawn up, you pay that bill and then your architect and building engineer pay you a visit. And this is where things go pear-shaped. The walls can’t be moved because they are load bearing and the renovation as planned can’t go ahead without significant changes…cue the sound of money going down the drain.

This pain can be avoided simply by bringing in an architect, building engineer or builder before purchasing the house. They can quickly advise whether your renovation plans are feasible, how much time they may take and a rough estimate for the work. And many professionals are happy to do this for free or for a minimal charge. If you don’t have one of these professionals already lined up, then call in a builder mate or someone with renovation experience as they will be able to give you some idea of what will and won’t work.*

I have heard so many horror stories from clients who’ve purchased a house with potential only to find that what they wanted to do can’t be achieved within their budget or council guidelines. Some clients have purchased older homes containing asbestos with its removal adding significant cost to their renovation budget while others have purchased culturally sensitive homes only to find they can’t undertake the desired alterations without a time consuming community input process. To say they were disappointed is an understatement.

Have you ever been caught out with purchasing a property only to have your plans thwarted? What advice would you give to prospective home buyers keen on making their mark?

As an architect, my goal is to make my clients’ dreams a reality and see them enjoying their perfect home. Consulting with a team of professionals about your renovation plans before signing the contract to purchase a property can help avoid the downfalls I’ve mentioned. It could certainly save you money in the long run and the heartache that goes with being told no.

*Also known as ‘pre-purchase building design consultation’.

Beautiful, elegant, timeless – these are the words that come to mind when I think of the humble, old, timber-framed Queenslander. Sure, they’re not so well insulated, they creak and groan in the wind and they can be a little oddly laid out, but they have a certain ‘something’ that makes you love them.

It’s not surprising then that many owners don’t want to let them go but prefer to invest hard work and finances to bring them back to their former glory. A common brief criteria from clients is that their higgledy piggledy layout doesn’t work in current family lifestyles where natural light, space and open-plan living are important. As such, a popular trend for the high-end projects is raising and building under, and then adding a new architecturally designed addition to the rear of the home.

Timber frame homes really are great for renovation being relatively simple to modify. Now don’t get me wrong, they can present challenges particularly if the structure is aged and a little run-down. But they offer so much in the way of flexibility especially when moving internal walls, adding windows and doors or increasing or decreasing the height of the whole structure.

With any renovation though comes mess…and the bigger the reno, the more chaos there is! But I don’t want you to be put off by this especially if renovating your much-loved timber house will give you the lifestyle you dream of. The mess can be managed so that the impact on you and your family can be reduced.

Regardless of whether you’re just moving a few walls or doubling the footprint of your house, it is vital to have an open and honest line of communication with your architect and builder. They need to know what you want to get out of the project and what you’re prepared to put up with especially when it comes to bringing in the heavy machinery. Communication and collaboration is essential from your side as well so you understand how the project is going to be undertaken and how much ‘mess/disruption’ there is likely to be.

Agree with your contractors how they will protect existing surfaces or reduce external disruption particularly if you’ve spent hours and money on landscaping. It is also worth forewarning the neighbours of the project so that disputes can be avoided before they even start. Do not be afraid to ask questions and be upfront if you have an issue with any part of the process. Being able to trust each other is absolutely vital to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Working closely with your architect and builder to develop an agreed detailed works plan will help manage your expectations and how you live while the renovation is taking place. Smaller projects may just mean you can’t access a few rooms, while bigger ones may require you to move off-site for an extended period. Understanding this will help keep stress levels to a minimum, avoid unnecessary conflict with contractors and help you avoid the inevitable mess. Contingency planning is also necessary to help manage expectations…after all none of us has a crystal ball when it comes to the weather!

So is renovating a timber-framed home worth the mess and disruption? The right renovation can certainly give you the functionality you want from your home whilst maintaining its warmth and character. And of course, it will add value both now and in the future. If your home is situated in the ideal location, it meets most of your needs and you’re emotionally attached to it, then I would say yes, the physical and emotional stress is absolutely worth it.

Do your research, take the time to find the right architect for your renovation project and enjoy getting dirty. After all, you’ve already found your dream home…you just need to make it perfect!

Hints and Tips from my experience...

Renovating (particularly where an existing house requires raising) is often thought of as the most complex of projects, necessitating explicit design detailing - this is not always the case.

Services (power, plumbing) will be disconnected during the raise.

I often ask clients not to be around during the actual process of raising / sliding their home. Many clients are emotionally attached and the sight of seeing the house raised and all the heavy equipment plus things do sometimes get broken/services accidently cut...It's all part of the journey!

Queensland lends itself to an outdoor lifestyle. Our houses traditionally had sweeping verandahs, large yards with no fences, and it wasn’t uncommon for a game of cricket to be started with all the kids in the neighbourhood. Parents watched their children in the front yard, chatted to pedestrians walking up the street, sipped their morning cuppa whilst reading the weekend paper in the sun. All from the comfort of the street facing verandah or deck.

As our lives seem to have become busier, we are less engaged face to face with people. Blocks of land are getting smaller, houses more internally focussed and ‘functional’. The sense of community ownership or that ‘village feel’ appears to be a decreasing priority for designers, and yet masked by inclusion of fancy street-calming. A few external factors contributing to these changes could be the ever-increasing desire to ‘keep up with the Jones’s, our reliance on self-amusing technology and the skyrocketing costs of living.

Current house design trends appear to be an unfortunate tick box exercise from energy efficiency rating software, most of which appear to cast minimal weighting on good architectural design principles. Instead, solid massing with small closed windows is favoured (‘esky buildings’), with each then mechanically climatised. Our changing town plans are structured towards higher density built environment, with building codes and standards necessitating fire resistance, thermal efficiency and low energy consumption.

You only need travel from an older suburb with leafing front yards and open decks / verandahs to a newer residential area of double garages dominating the street façade, one can notice the apparent disconnection of human activity at street elevation.

As an Architect who has fond early memories of living in traditional timber homes (Queenslanders, Post War, Workers Cottage, Ashgrovian / Tudor style), and subsequently having bought and renovated several of them, I once again cannot argue a case for or against. You either love them or loathe them. The older timber dwellings were generally freezing in winter, sweltering in summer, lacked internal room openness and air flow (apart from the gaps in the VJ walls!), had no acoustic privacy between rooms and floor. Put that aside however, there was an emotional warmth that the structures retained from owner to owner. It was felt, not visualised.

Many of these dwellings connected softly with the front yards and street activity via a roofed deck. Light-weight in construction, they were never complex in design, often with several access doors from internal rooms, and were frequently the entry zone up from front timber stairs. These homes enabled the occupant a transitional space to greet visitors before entering the home. When the external hinged doors were latched back, a beautiful flow-through connection between inside and outside could be identified.

Are these elements of social street engagement becoming an endangered species?

For more than a decade now, Craig Dinte Architect has had the pleasure to be involved in renovations to reinstate, revamp or add decks or verandahs. A common client brief requirement has been the re-connection with streetscape or creation of an additional outdoor space for socialising. Although relatively minor in architectural project significance, it is always refreshing to identify with the immediate improvements in a client’s lifestyle these projects bring. It’s a clawing back of the ‘work / life’ balance.

We at the firm of Craig Dinte Architect love renovation projects of this nature. We respect the era and understand the construction principles. There is a history and warmth of culture in this climate that we ideally strive to revive and retain. What would Queensland be without its traditional timber homes?

The age old saying of ‘make a great first impression’ is what comes to mind when you step into the newly renovated foyer of the Redlands PCYC. The PCYC has been at the heart of our local area for many years, starting out small and growing into the bustling community hub that it is today. Instrumental in changing the face of the Redland’s PCYC is local Sergeant Graham Pearse who has been at the helm for over 13 years. It is his commitment and understanding of the importance that the Centre plays in our community, along with a core group of highly dedicated people who not only have big hearts but also share his passion and drive, that have made the many fundraising activities and social awareness campaigns successful.

It is through these activities and Grant Funding that the Centre has been able to engage local resident and long-time participant of the Club, Craig Dinte of Craig Dinte Architects, to transform the centre into a vibrant and welcoming building right from the moment people walk up to the front door. Armed with the belief that good functional design need not come from costly or complex ideas, Mr Dinte has worked closely with Sergeant Pearse to create a fresh-faced foyer to compliment his original extension of the multi-activity gym space and entrance that was added nearly 10 years ago.

‘It has been a pleasure watching the Centre grow and change and to be instrumental in creating spaces to facilitate the growth. We have a strong interest in sport and recreation design, alongside our residential work, and it gives us a sense of pride to be working on a project close to home and supporting our local community’, said Mr Dinte, ‘It really has given the Centre a new lease on life.’

With 56 clubs in Queensland alone, the PCYC is the perfect example of local drive and passion working hand-in-hand with the Police Service. Encouraging positive relationships and strengthening community spirit through offering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the local area to participate in sports and activities.

Support Local!

For more information on how you can get involved with your local PCYC visit http://www.pcyc.org.au/

Or to see more of Craig Dinte Architects https://www.craigdintearchitects.com.au/

Well, that’s what I have always been led to believe! Shipping container conversion is gaining momentum. A few years ago there were a small handful of us that latched on to the idea of converting a seemingly uninteresting ‘transportation box’ into a functional and desirable living space, now it is a multimillion dollar business. Gone are the days of the boring ‘site office or donga’, enter creative thinking ‘inside the box’.

With a passion for simple living and the re-interpretation of disused / discarded materials, our office has had a growing interest in the liveability of small spaces. Whether it is for a teenage retreat, an art studio, granny flat, weekend getaway or perhaps an opportunity to downsize, the conversion of shipping containers has captured the eye of an increasing audience – some of whom strongly believe in recycling and sustainability and others who have been drawn into the ‘latest trend’. No matter which side of the coin, repurposing and reusing existing structures to meet the growing need for smarter use of space allows us to explore a different side to housing and push the boundaries on what is truly needed for ‘happy living’.

I am an Architect and Builder that loves to experiment with the textures of materials, individually and through combination. This goes beyond touch or sight. It’s a deeper sense of place and often history, an ageing architecture, knowing that we are here at this moment. Many have been before and many will come after. I enjoy old buildings, old cars, old furniture and wares. So many of our projects are renovations, additions to old buildings, or at the very least focus on the re-interpretation of discarded structures. Closely following the trend overseas, the tiny house module utilizing a single shipping container has been an experiment for us. It has encouraged us to think creatively, design smartly and go back to basics of what makes the space functional and sensually soothing.

We have completed a number of these single module conversions, one of which is now an Art Studio for my creative and talented wife, Tina Dinte. Tina’s studio is peacefully located in shaded bushland, allowing her to immerse herself in her uniquely colorful artwork. Our most recently completed container conversion is a perfect example of ‘small space architecture’ at its most functional. It includes a fully functioning kitchen, full size shower, loft bed, open and bright with feature cedar windows, funky fold down table and the inclusion of gas hot water system. You truly are only limited by your imagination on fixtures and fittings for these spaces.

Not only are these ‘pods’ globally available, they are easy to transport and therefore make construction off site an option and relocation simple.

For more information on creating your own unique space contact us @Craig Dinte Architects