Case Study · Christies Beach, SA
Tanya & Chris
“A knockdown rebuild in Christies Beach designed around a slope, a rear easement and a Holden HQ Monaro shed.”
By George Giannakakis · M.Arch · RLA300580 · HIA Industry Judge
Last reviewed: · How we research
Project type
Knockdown rebuild with custom garage and shed integration
Region
Southern Adelaide
Suburb
Christies Beach
Council
City of Onkaparinga
Block type
Sloped block with large rear easement
Duration
Approximately 8 months (home build), plus external works and shed
The Situation
What this family was up against
Tanya and Chris were planning a knockdown rebuild in Christies Beach on a block that had a few unique characteristics. The site had a slight slope, which initially raised some questions, and a large easement at the rear that they had not fully accounted for. At the same time, Chris had a clear priority. He had been restoring his Holden HQ Monaro for years, and the garage and shed setup was a key part of the project. This was not something that could be treated as an afterthought. The home needed to be designed around it.
- •Designing a home that worked with the slope and site conditions
- •Accounting for a large rear easement that limited usable space
- •Creating a layout that allowed vehicle access from the front to the rear
- •Planning for a large shed that suited Chris's needs
- •Finding builders flexible enough to allow some client involvement
- •Chris, a cabinetmaker, wanted to complete parts of the home himself
Approach
How we worked through it together
- 1
Detailed block review
The process began with reviewing the block in detail. The slope was assessed and confirmed to be manageable, but the rear easement required careful planning. The layout of the home was adjusted to ensure the available space was used properly while still allowing access through to the backyard.
- 2
Home and shed designed together
Design focused on how the home and shed would work together. Vehicle access from the street through to the rear, positioning of the home to allow for driveway flow, and ensuring the shed did not feel disconnected from the overall layout were all factored in from the start.
- 3
Two-builder structure
Two builders were engaged for different stages of the project. The first builder was selected to construct the home. The second builder was brought in to handle external works including the driveway, perimeter concrete, stormwater, and the shed construction.
- 4
Cabinetry left to the client
A builder was selected who was comfortable allowing Chris to complete his own cabinetry, giving him the level of control he was after. Throughout the process, decisions were made carefully and the clients took their time to ensure everything was right before moving forward.
Outcome
How it turned out
A knockdown rebuild structured around lifestyle priorities. The home and shed were planned as one cohesive outcome rather than separate elements, with vehicle access and rear flow built into the layout from day one. The two-builder structure played to each trade's strengths, and the chosen home builder gave Chris the flexibility to complete his own cabinetry.
- Builder structure: home builder for the build, dedicated builder for external works and shed
- Pre-construction timeframe: approximately 12 months
- Construction duration (home): approximately 8 months, followed by external works and shed
- Slope and rear easement assessed and designed around early
- Front-to-rear vehicle access planned into the home layout
- Cabinetmaker client retained scope to complete his own cabinetry
Key Takeaways
Lessons from this build
This project highlights the importance of designing around lifestyle priorities. By considering the garage and access requirements from the beginning, the home and shed were able to be planned as one cohesive outcome rather than separate elements. It also shows the value of a flexible approach, where the right builder can accommodate client involvement without compromising the overall result.
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