Stanley Street
Before Photos
The owners of this property engaged Nixon Build some 12months
prior to the purchase looking for suitable options. Their brief on the outset was a hill side
property for renovation. They settled on
296 Stanley St with the view to demolish the existing building and build a
contemporary structure well fitting for the neighbourhood. This in most cases is not a particularly
difficult assignment. However, the block
was 300m2 with extremely difficult access and old retaining walls
with questionable structural integrity.
After demolishing the old building, ground work commenced in
preparation for a retaining wall structure to be constructed in front of the
existing wall. After digging the strip
footings there was a an unforeseen collapse of the existing retaining wall due
to the only downpour of rain in a 10 month period. There was some 150mm of rain in four
hours.
This is worth mentioning to respect to innovation for
building methods. We quickly designed
and installed adjustable props as the adjoining property had a stone pitched
wall above the slip that was fully suspended as a result of the slip and mark
the boundary of the neighbouring driveway.
Footings on the opposite side of the property, ie. The north,
our footings were approximately 2metres deep doweled into rock to ensure no
surcharge with respect to under the building load was put on the existing
retaining wall on the lower side.
The design element of this property was to optimise the views
to the north and the capacity to effectively capture the northerly breezes
optimizing energy efficiency and providing comfortable living.
The owners had a tight budget of $400k and the challenge was
to provide a contemporary finish that was deserving of the area. Three bedroom, two bathroom with an open plan
living kitchen, and dining with easy access to a sheltered alfresco area.
On inspection, it is evident that the workmanship is of extremely high standard and Nixon Build insists of employing master craftsman to ensure not only the finish is what is expected, the work behind the walls and under the ground carries the same standard.
With respect to energy efficiency
performance we have installed a product call TMC which is a polymer synthetic
sprayed with a reflective aluminium film. We have tried and tested this product and virtually eliminates any
thermal radiation penetration to the inside wall surface. The results have been so effective in
previous properties where the properties throughout the Summer and warmer
seasons has maintained a 3o temperature differential between inside and ambient
temperature ie. inside the building has remained 3o cooler than ambient
throughout the day.
The project,
although a challenge, was a delight and we are extremely proud of the design
and workmanship throughout. The owners have been most complementary and
appreciative with our engagement, and they were a delight to work with.