Nestled away in a great location in Mount Martha on South East Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, a now-stunning beachside property once had two distinct problems: a distinct lack of character and a huge shortage of street appeal.
Those issues, however, were dealt with when Full Spectrum Builders came along and transformed it into a modern Australian coastal-style home, a transformation that earned the home the HIA Building Commission South-East Victoria Regional Home of the Year award.
In handing out the award, the judges highlighted a number of key features of the renovation. Renovations to – and enlargement of – the main living area was made possible through the inclusion of a large cathedral ceiling with exposed trusses. The introduction of double-glazed windows and verandas led to improved thermal and solar performance.
Character and personality were added by building in eave and gable overhangs to the roof structure, along with exposed rafter tails, while the entire building was given a makeover involving re-cladding, new bathrooms and a new laundry.
The builder had to overcome a number of challenges in renovating the space, especially with regard to site access constraints associated with large, pre-fabricated 900-kilogram exposed roof trusses, which reached their limits as far as transportation requirements were concerned.
In announcing the winner, the judges noted the home was ‘visually stunning both internally and externally’, and showcased ‘excellent workmanship and attention to detail in what was a very challenging house’.
Specific praise was given to the carpentry, while the panel went out of their way to praise Full Spectrum Builders on the building’s innovative truss construction and attention to detail.
In congratulating the winners, HIA Victorian executive director Gil King noted that in challenging times, it is pleasing to see the state’s builders maintaining high standards.
“In an environment of uncertainty about the economic and regulatory future, our builders and designers have put these difficulties behind them and forged ahead with outstanding concepts, design, construction and finishings,” he says.
Regional awards are held in South East Victoria, North East Victoria, North West Victoria, and Western Victoria each year. All regional home of the year winners become automatic finalists in their respective categories at the HIA-CSR Victorian Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards to be held in November at Crown Towers.
