Case Study · Ingle Farm, SA
Sterai Residence
“A practical, well-planned knockdown rebuild on a tricky triangular block in Ingle Farm.”
By George Giannakakis · M.Arch · RLA300580 · HIA Industry Judge
Last reviewed: · How we research
Project type
Knockdown rebuild
Region
Northern Adelaide
Suburb
Ingle Farm
Council
City of Salisbury
Block type
Triangular block, existing dwelling demolished
Duration
Approximately 8 months
The Situation
What the Sterai family was up against
The Sterai family approached BuildPilot while managing a busy schedule across their business and interstate commitments. They were living in an existing home in Ingle Farm and were considering a knockdown rebuild. After reviewing the home in person, it became clear that the existing layout and structure no longer suited what they wanted long term. Their goal was to rebuild on the same site, keep the project economical, and still achieve a home that had the feel of a well-designed, quality build. They were not focused on high-end finishes; they wanted to maximise the potential of the block, get the layout right, and create something practical and well thought out. The challenge was that the site itself was not straightforward.
- •A standard design would not fully suit the triangular block
- •The layout needed careful planning to avoid wasted space
- •Orientation and flow had to be considered more closely than a typical site
- •The clients had limited capacity to be heavily involved day to day
Approach
How we worked through it together
- 1
Triangular block analysis
The process started with understanding how to best utilise the triangular block. Rather than forcing a standard design onto the site, time was spent exploring layout options that would maximise usable space and improve overall flow.
- 2
Hybrid design approach
A hybrid approach was developed: part of the home was designed with more custom input to suit the block, while other areas were aligned with standard inclusions from a major builder. This kept the project cost-effective while still achieving a tailored outcome where it mattered most.
- 3
Builder selection aligned to approach
A major builder was chosen, with approval to incorporate custom elements into the design. This unlocked the cost benefits of a volume-style build with the design flexibility a non-standard block needed.
- 4
Ongoing oversight
Throughout the process, ongoing oversight ensured the builder remained aligned with expectations, progress was consistent, and any concerns were addressed early. This gave the clients reassurance while they focused on their own commitments.
Outcome
How it turned out
The final result was a well-executed knockdown rebuild that made strong use of a challenging triangular site in Ingle Farm. The hybrid major-builder + custom-design approach delivered the layout the family needed without overcomplicating the build, and the active oversight throughout meant the clients could stay focused on their business and interstate commitments while the project moved forward predictably.
- Builder type matched to project: major builder with custom design elements
- Time to commence construction: approximately 12 months
- Construction duration: approximately 8 months
- Triangular block utilised efficiently through tailored layout planning
- Cost-effective hybrid design. custom only where the block demanded it
- Ongoing oversight kept the build on track without daily client involvement
Key Takeaways
Lessons from this build
This project demonstrates that even with a more complex block, a practical and well-planned approach can deliver a strong outcome without overcomplicating the build. By focusing on layout and site utilisation first, and applying custom design only where needed, the project remained both efficient and effective.
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