Ewart

This was a renovation and addition project for Elysium Designed.  We were referred to Dan and Monica through a close friend so the pressure was on from the very beginning to ensure that we delivered a high-quality project and that we didn’t let our friends down due to their unwavering support.

Dan and Monica had already spent time with Zenith Design to document their vision.  As a result, they had full working plans.  We then worked in collaboration with King Architectural Engineer to make some changes to the design to help with client budget restraints and the buildability issues conducive to this difficult site.

All that was left to do was work with Dan and Monica to produce a specification and selection schedule of finishes and we were ready to get this project underway.

The house was purchased by our clients in 2002 as an investment and was rented for many years until Dan and Monica made a family decision to make this their principal place of residence.  The 404m2 moderately sloping front to rear boundary and considerable fall across the block from right to left with extremely limited access made the logistics of the renovation challenging but certainly achievable.

The site and the client’s brief held quite a few challenges due to the limited access down either side of the house, the close proximity of neighbours and the extremely narrow and limited street parking.  The decision to remove internal walls on the lower level to enable machinery to drive through the house to gain access to the rear of the block is just one of the solutions employed during the construction.

Extremely rotting and weathered retaining walls including major decaying to the upper level decking structures and stairs posed a major safety concern for Dan and Monica and their two young daughters.  The necessity to fit a growing family into this 1930’s Queenslander while still maintaining its traditional features to create a seamless addition was very important.

Demolition of the entire back of the house, stablising the foundations including replacing the rear retaining walls with new concrete sleepers providing access to the existing inground swimming pool together with inclusion of glass balustrade to ensure uninterrupted views from the new lower level entertaining deck.

Rebuilding a larger upper level deck to makeway for a new modern appointed galley kitchen with butler’s pantry, renovated bathroom, new powder room, generously enlarged lounge and dining retreats, new timber flooring throughout with a huge covered entertainment area on the upper level.

Remodelling the lower level to provide additional multi-purpose living areas including the addition of an undercover lower level deck, standalone spacious laundry and renovated bathroom to provide modern and functional spaces.

Lastly, relevelling the front yard with concrete sleeper retaining walls to achieve a flat entryway, new front entry stairway, revitalised exposed aggregate concrete driveway and paths, new garage door and block retaining wall to the garage under croft area, painted in traditional cool greys and whites allowing this ‘old girl’ another chance to once again stand out with enhanced street appeal.

We are very happy with the renovation of our home undertaken by Elysium. From start to finish Paul and Lisa were great to work with. Communication was clear and any issues that came up were quickly addressed and resolved. It was a difficult site and complex build but the end result is of the highest quality and we are looking forward to enjoying our home for many years to come.

We would have no hesitation in recommending Elysium Designed to family and friends.

Daniel and Monica Mockler