Kamares sto Appia also earned OSB a title at the Brisbane Awards for Individual Home from $2.5 million up to $3 million, while stunning project Quinta won the award for Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million.

But the highlight for the OSB team was young recruit Nick Green being named Master Builders Brisbane Apprentice of the Year, heralding a bright future for building talent in the sunshine state.

Kamares sto Appia

Kamares sto Appia is a Mediterranean marvel reflective of the homeowner’s dream to create a Grecian beauty. The brief was to create a bespoke, sophisticated home blending modern architecture with timeless charm, contemporary amenities, and functionality.

The project faced challenges, including a block with three street frontages, an unusual shape, and restricted access, compounded by the decision to build a full concrete house. However, these hurdles were overcome thanks to exceptional collaboration of Daniel Zullo from DZ Architects, Joanna Kane from Merge Interior Design, and Nick and Carly O’Shea from OSB.

OSB’s team of artisans played a vital role in the creation of this one-of-a-kind property. The design emphasises natural materials, with timber, marble, and stone key to the Mediterranean aesthetic. The use of travertine, especially, guided the meticulous selection of materials to enhance its presence throughout. Italian porcelain was used to create timeless internal spaces, while lush feature tiles in the bathrooms evoke the colourful charm of Mediterranean villages.

Black window and door frames add a modern touch, harmonising with repeated design motifs such as arches, curves, and columns, which appear across the facade, joinery, tiling, cladding, and fixtures. The joinery throughout is spectacular. Virtually every room manifests unique and powerful display of prominent design, superior products and mastery whilst remaining functional and practical.

The pool, designed by Satori Pools, offers a resort-like experience with advanced automation and heating systems.

Guests can easily adjust the pool’s temperature, lighting, and water features for a personalised experience. The heated spa provides year-round enjoyment, while the fully tiled pool surface ensures durability and visual appeal, shimmering under the sun. This pool was recognised with a SPASA Gold Award—a testament to Satori Pools and OSB with their combined unwavering dedication to superior craftsmanship, innovative design and unparalleled customer satisfaction.

Quinta

Quinta is a standout example of modern housing design, blending innovation, sustainability, and exceptional liveability. This project demonstrates careful planning, efficient construction, and a commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life while harmonising with the surrounding environment.

The OSB design team for Quinta included the very talented Jazz Designs and Merge Interior Design. Together, they collaborated closely with the homeowners throughout the entire build.

The main focus was to create a design that optimises street appeal and multi-generational living. The open-plan spaces offer flexible layouts, allowing each of the areas to adapt to the evolving needs of residents. Thoughtful zoning separates shared and privacy areas, ensuring comfort and convenience while fostering a sense of spaciousness and beauty.

The home is strategically oriented to maximise natural light and energy efficiency in the Brisbane climate. Living areas capture sunlight throughout the day, while bedrooms are positioned for privacy and quietness.

Sustainability is a core focus, passive design principles applied and constructed with eco-friendly materials and Australian made products. Energy-efficient temperatures and emission reduction products ensure reduced environmental impact and energy savings for the homeowners.

Quinta reflects the highest construction standards, with exceptional attention to detail. Every aspect, from the precision of the joinery to the flawless installation of finished demonstrates a commitment to quality. Epoxy concrete floors, sealed pathways, watering systems, and custom cabinetry elevate the aesthetic while ensuring durability.

Apprentice of the Year, Nick Green

The OSB team is incredibly proud of carpentry apprentice Nick Green being named Brisbane Apprentice of the Year.

After completing his Year 12 studies and doing work experience with OSB, Nick commenced a full-time apprenticeship with the business in January 2022 while also undertaking university studies in urban development and construction management.

Nick embraces the OSB team spirit and contributes to building a culture based on productivity, quality, safety and wellbeing, leadership and accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork.

He is regularly asked to speak on camera, which he does without hesitation and confidently coneys messages about the work in progress and other work-related activities. Nick has now commenced participation in design collaboration meetings and will directly work with homeowners and the design professionals.

In addition to his trade work, Nick is shaping the future of the industry by mentoring new apprentices, sharing his learning. He encourages the apprentices to learn and fosters their young talent by leading them when undertaking new tasks. He advocates that the dual pathway with the apprenticeship and university studies is a great way to open up opportunities for future careers in the industry.

One site manager said, “Nick is a great team player. The younger apprentices gravitate to him, and he plays an active mentor role to them, whether it’s by explaining how to complete a task, giving them tips about getting through the BlueDog training or over smoko having a laugh about stories they tell.”

This article was originally published in the 2025 Housing & Construction Awards Showcase magazine.

For more information: O’Shea & Sons Builders

The post Building exceptional homes and talent appeared first on Completehome.

Words Carrol Baker
Photography: Paul A. Broben Photography

When bold innovation, a modest budget, and a newly minted architect crossed paths, a home like no other was built. The project, featured in Grand Designs Australia series 11, is a new build on a subdivided block, and certainly hits the high notes when it comes to style and design ingenuity.

Architect Nick Browne is also the homeowner, a veteran who reskilled in architecture as part of a rehabilitation program for PTSD. A wise and well-considered move. “This is why the home is called Daydream,” explains Nick. “It started as a dream and turned into reality.”

The design conundrum the project underpinned was: can an architectural home be a financially viable alternative to a standard cookie-cutter project home? Nick notes that to be fair, it needed to have the common specs of a mid-tier project home. “For example, four bedrooms, two-plus-one bathrooms, dual living, butler’s kitchen, and double off-road parking,” he says. “It also needed to go beyond and have a plunge pool, garden irrigation and some automation.”

The final result is breathtaking. It captures the essence of coastal living with well-considered warm spaces, earthy organic materials, and a light, bright colour palette.

The dwelling is comfortable, spacious and modern. Nick shares his home with his partner Trent and their Border Collie. His inspiration for the design was its celebrated location, the Gold Coast.

It’s a character-filled home that rejoices its iconic locale. Nick says it also needed to embrace
Gold Coast history. “To draw from the city’s love of modernism in the ’50s and ’60s,” he notes. But it needed to deliver more than that. History and contemporary Queensland living had
to coexist in harmony.

When you sit outside, sipping a long cool drink poolside, the ambience is calm and relaxed. The home is streamlined and uncomplicated. True to its modernism philosophy, ornamentation is pared back and earthy organic materials proliferate.

The flow between indoors and out is seamless. Nick says angles, cross-ventilation, weather control mechanisms and lots of natural light improve space perception and indoor-outdoor integration. “Indoor-outdoor plants were also critical to the overall spatial experience,” he adds.

One of the couple’s favourite aspects is the outdoor bathtub and courtyard. A relaxing soak in the tub, complete with a glass of your favourite tipple, under a starry sky, is pure heaven. Another much-loved aspect is the concrete benches. They offer additional seating for guests, or a place to lie back on a summer afternoon and watch the clouds roll by.

This project was a collaboration between the owner, engineer and builder. When Nick first met with Mick the builder to discuss the build experiment, Mick said, “It’s certainly very different, but I like a challenge.”

“When Mick was warned about the possibility of numerous variations due to the project’s experimental nature, he said that was fine,” says Nick. “I regretted, saying that!” While the structural plan didn’t change during the build process, there were some internal variations. These include the addition of skylights, window sizing, the choice of plywood species, joinery and tile selection.

The tightly knit crew worked tirelessly together to deliver the finished project in just seven months. That factored in cost and product supply issues with some components. Eco-friendly, organic elements feature. It also has fabulous acoustic properties.

Nick says the home was designed to be passively sustainable. “In winter, the lower angle of the sun allows the exposed concrete slab to warm up due to thermal mass. The slab releases this warmth during the evening,” he says. “In summer, the sun sits at a higher angle, meaning less sun on the slab itself, keeping evenings cooler.”

The pitched ceilings draw hot air, which is expelled via clerestory windows. Automated blinds, large window openings, a white roof, quality insulation and ceiling fans also help to control temperatures and comfort levels.

The home is unique among the homes that dot the coastline on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Nick says it’s faithful to the city’s history while improving the ‘project home’ standard of living — “all without a million-dollar price tag”, he notes. “All floor plan specs go beyond that of a mid-tier project home.” I’d say that’s a win

Details

House: Benowa Modern
Location: Benowa Qld

This article was originally published in Grand Designs Australia

The post Pure Gold appeared first on Completehome.

With an impressive facade boasting an expansive footprint with stunning ceiling heights, the choice of a subtle colour palette of Surfmist (Colorbond) roofing and Snowy Mountain quarter strength to the cladding—allows the awe-inspiring design to truly shine. The grand entrance features 3550 high ceilings, glass entry doors with sidelights, and fixed glass windows to the raked ceiling, setting the stage for an unforgettable living experience as well as embracing the natural light.

As you step into the home, every detail unfolds beautifully, inviting you to appreciate its grandeur. Guided by the entrance pendant light, your gaze is drawn upward to the soaring vaulted ceiling rake. While square-set cornices seamlessly frame the Kitchen, Living and Dining areas, embracing the expansive views visible from the Alfresco. This harmonious design element extends from the Porch to the Alfresco, creating a seamless flow that enhances the overall sense of spaciousness and elegance.

The sensational bespoke Kitchen is truly a masterpiece, boasting a 60mm thick edge stone ‘Calacatta Nuvo’ island bench with waterfall gable ends, accompanied by a 20mm stone ‘Calacatta Nuvo’ splashback. This Kitchen exudes luxury and functionality, featuring top-of-the-line owner-supplied appliances, including an integrated rangehood, combi oven, warming drawer, induction cooktop, steam oven, integrated dishwasher, and double-door fridge, ensuring seamless culinary experiences.

Additional storage is thoughtfully incorporated with a walk-in pantry, featuring pure white tops and Shaker-style cabinetry in 2-pac satin finish, along with an additional sink. Stylish touches of Champagne gold handles, brushed gold sink mixers, and matching feature lights add an elegant and sophisticated touch to the space, elevating its overall appeal. The thoughtful design elements are echoed in the large Laundry and built-in BBQ area. This cohesive approach ensures continuity throughout the home, creating a seamless flow and harmonious living experience.

The home boasts an array of more private spaces, including a formal Dining area, Study, Media room with a raised platform, and a Games room. Each space is thoughtfully designed to offer versatility and comfort, providing ample opportunities for relaxation and entertainment. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, working from home, enjoying a movie night, or engaging in some friendly competition, there’s a perfect spot for every occasion.

This luxurious home features a total of five Bedrooms, with the Master Suite offering direct access to the terrace, a large walk-in robe, and a magnificent Ensuite complete with twin vanities, a spacious walk-through shower with a seat, and a separate WC. Bedroom 2 provides an excellent guest space with its own walk-in robe and private ensuite. Additionally, the home includes a large main Bathroom, Powder room, and walk-in Linen, ensuring ample space for daily living essentials.

Outside, the expansive Alfresco area, Terrace, and two Patios extend the living spaces, providing plenty of room for outdoor relaxation and entertainment. With its well-appointed amenities and spacious layout, this home is designed to meet the needs of modern families in style and comfort, complemented by a triple car garage and mudroom for added convenience.

With simply too many stunning selections and design elements to list, The Harvey Project is a memorable, classic design which we have been most fortunate to facilitate in achieving Joy and Peter’s dream.

For more information

McLachlan Homes
07 5498 9866

The post The Harvey Project by McLachlan Homes appeared first on Completehome.

Positioned in a charming streetscape, in the leafy suburb of Hawthorn, Victoria, this heritage home has been lovingly restored and thoughtfully extended to merge old-world charm with contemporary finesse. The soft grey façade, complemented by crisp white trim, embodies timeless elegance, while the English-tiled verandah and bluestone pathway welcome guests to a striking leadlight entry door—a testament to the home’s rich past.

Stepping inside, the journey through history begins with meticulously retained skirting and architraves that pay homage to the home’s architectural roots. Wide American oak floorboards guide you down the hallway, where period charm seamlessly transitions into modern grandeur.

In this considered renovation, the home embraces modern living with a reimagined open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area bathed in natural light. Offering a perfect balance of warmth and sophistication, feature stone benchtops grace the expansive kitchen island, extending their refined aesthetic into the adjoining laundry and pantry. Sleek cabinetry, state-of-the-art appliances, and carefully curated feature lighting ensure this space is as functional as it is beautiful.

Designed for effortless entertaining, the open plan space extends to a covered outdoor area, perfect for gatherings with family and friends. Integrated air conditioning, with discreet linear slot venting, ensures year-round comfort without compromising aesthetics.

The ground floor master suite is a true retreat, where the existing fireplace has been transformed with a stunning stone surround and restored black timber mantle. A walk-in robe and elegant ensuite complete this haven of comfort and style. A private parents’ lounge provides an additional escape, boasting a refurbished original timber fireplace adorned with striking black marble corbels and a black feature-tiled hearth—an exquisite nod to the home’s heritage.

The second bathroom on the ground floor continues the theme of understated luxury, with neutral grey floor-to-ceiling tiles, a full decadent bath, and a warm timber vanity topped with pristine white stone. Every detail has been considered to create an inviting and tranquil space.

Ascending the American oak staircase, the upper level unfolds into a spacious entertainment and study zone—a warm and welcoming enclave ideal for relaxation. Two generously sized bedrooms, adorned with plush carpeting and floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, offer sanctuary, while expansive picture and highlight windows flood the space with natural light.

Externally, the modern rear extension, a striking contrast to the classic front façade, stands on a render-brick base, crowned with sleek black charred timber cladding. This harmonious blend of old and new embodies the essence of contemporary heritage renovation – where history is honoured and modernity embraced, creating a home that is both timeless and forward-thinking.

This remarkable residence is more than just a renovation – it’s a transformation that celebrates craftsmanship, character, and contemporary luxury in equal measure. A true masterpiece of heritage reimagined, where classic elegance meets modern sophistication.

Photography Credits: Mango Media

For more information

Hedger Constructions

The post A Heritage Treasure Reimagined appeared first on Completehome.

Words Carrol Baker
Photography Jade Cantwell

Sitting on the cosy deck of this eco-friendly home, there is hardly a breath of wind. It’s quiet and calm. There are views to the national park beyond and agricultural buildings in the distance. Looking out at the leafy landscape, you can almost imagine the heady excitement of those seeking their fortune in the 1850s. The town of Chewton was one of the earliest towns established during the Gold Rush era. Some buildings in the district still remain from the Gold Rush heyday and there are also deep indigenous roots in the region.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling is home to young professionals James and Zara
and their greyhound Nel. “It was inspired by the local vernacular architecture, particularly the humble agricultural buildings that define the central Victorian landscape,” says designer David Noordhoff.

The couple relocated from suburban Melbourne. “They sought a place to lay down roots and establish themselves in a more tranquil environment,” shares David. The home has open-plan living and a dedicated workspace for James. The design and layout connect living spaces to the leafy natural landscape.

During planning and design, David says there was one main objective: “Ultimately, the goal was to establish a welcoming environment that encourages relaxation and fosters connections with both nature and family life.” According to David, it was also important to the homeowners that their house integrate harmoniously with its surrounding narrative. “They favoured local materials and architectural styles that honoured the area’s agricultural heritage,” he explains.

Materials such as spotted gum cladding and Colorbond steel in Woodland Grey were used to integrate the home into its local environment, as well as complying with the bushfire attack level rating (BAL 29).

The project did come with its share of challenges, including historical protection regulations that weighed in on the design process, and with COVID-19, there were also material shortages
during construction.

David notes the couple also sought a design that would provide comfortable living conditions year-round, minimising energy costs. “Additionally, addressing noise from the road adjacent to the property was crucial to creating a tranquil living environment,” he adds.

By today’s standards, this house was constructed with a modest budget. Thanks to thoughtful measured design as well as materiality, it delivers on functionality, form and aesthetics. Inspired by nature’s palette of warm earthy tones, it’s understated with a subtle charm. This is a family dwelling with design flexibility to allow it to evolve over time, as needs change.

David’s favourite part of the space is the window seat next to the fireplace, a cosy nook that invites you to curl up on a chilly winter day with a coffee. The expansive windows connect you to the exterior landscape. “This intimate corner embodies the spirit of the home, offering a warm and inviting retreat where you can relax and appreciate nature throughout the seasons,” he says.

As the long hot days of summer flow into the cooler autumn and winter months, temperatures begin to fall, sometimes dramatically. It is an area of temperature extremes, with chilly winters and scorching summers. The home is responsive to its environment. The pitched roof lines capture the warming winter sun’s rays and offer cool respite from the hot summer sun.

David explains these construction techniques enhance insulation, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. “This approach not only improves energy efficiency, but also ensures a comfortable living environment despite the extreme climate,” he notes.

The project was a meeting of minds between homeowners, builder and architect. “I collaborated extensively with James and Zara to ensure their vision and needs remained at the forefront of the design,” says David. “VR Builders provided valuable advice and guidance, helping to keep the project on budget while ensuring it was practical and straightforward to construct.”

Unlike most projects, the architect actually had an opportunity to test drive the house. His family lived in the completed home for three months, housesitting for the owners while they went overseas. “Living in the space allowed me to ‘road test’ the design in real life, providing valuable insights and enjoyable experiences,” David says. “This experience not only deepened my connection to the project, but also created lasting memories for my family as we cherished our time in this special place.”

Details

House: Pyrenees
Location: Chewton, Victoria

Project Team

Designer Freeman Group Architects, David Noordhoff
Builder VR Builders

Fixtures & Fittings
Window supplier Rylock

The post Echoes of Country appeared first on Completehome.

Perched above the pastoral beauty of Victoria’s Yarra Valley, The Peach House is an immersive study in how construction detail and architectural storytelling can come together to create a home that is both poetic and practical. Drawing from the clients’ heritage in brass and copper craftsmanship, and their sharp eye for design, the residence becomes a physical extension of legacy, artistry and lived experience.

At a glance, The Peach House pays homage to the traditional barn house vernacular, with its bold triple-gabled roofline and rural silhouette. But step closer and it quickly becomes evident that this is no conventional farmhouse. The exterior is a tactile composition of folded copper panels and charred Shou Sugi Ban timber cladding, with matt black steel and aluminium detailing.

The facade not only honours the clients’ sixth-generational legacy in brass and copper, but respects the region’s rich volcanic soils and landscape, visually grounding the home in its natural surroundings. Custom brass pivot doors at both the front and rear create a sense of arrival and continuation, portals that speak to the home’s openness and carefully choreographed spatial journey.

A lofty open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, the heart of the home, is anchored by a palette of natural and refined materials. Honed Artedomus Tiberio natural stone benchtops elevate the kitchen, where brass detailing and light-timber cabinetry with mesh inlays offer a rich tactile experience.

A feature steel-framed arch window, more than 5m in height, becomes the room’s crown jewel, drawing the eye outward to views of Mount Dandenong.

Utilising architectural geometries, the open-plan areas create comfortable breakout spaces, expansive sightlines and intimate moments. The dining area features a cantilevered banquette seat wrapped in jade mosaic fabric, framed by the large arch window which captures views of the family farm and draws in natural light to extend the sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

Underfoot, a striking Beach House European Oak chevron floor is used throughout key living areas, its lighter tone purposefully selected to contrast against the dark, ink-hued kitchen cabinetry. This interplay between light and dark, soft and sculptural, continues across the home in the form of exposed beams, arched features and curved joinery, creating a deliberate softness to balance the bold architectural geometry.

Construction detailing is thoughtful and immersive. Brushed-brass elements such as door handles, shower screen hinges and mesh cabinetry inlays turn everyday details into moments of design expression.

In the living area, architectural elements are transformed into sculptural forms, with a central brick fireplace and a brass-clad, scalloped floating staircase providing access to the mezzanine. Positioned against a wall of glazing, the bespoke staircase transforms function into sculpture.

Terrazzo, in its many iterations, plays a starring role throughout the home. From Fibonacci terrazzo used in the fireplace and walk-in robe island, to colourful Polarity terrazzo in the master ensuite, and warm Ghosted Hone tones in secondary bathrooms, the material becomes a unifying yet expressive element, celebrating texture, colour and pattern with bold confidence. In the bathrooms, these finishes are paired with soft peach grout, geometric feature walls, and peach-toned floors to create moments that feel equal parts spa and art installation.

The spine of the home, an expansive hallway paved with cobblestones, connects the central atrium to the bedroom pavilion, rumpus and alfresco. Vertical timber beams flank the space, creating a striking visual rhythm while tying interior finishes to the external environment. Expansive glazing adds depth and light, transforming the corridor into a generous, sunlit walkway. The dramatic pivot brass feature doors at either end offer a sculptural moment that links the organic methodology of building to embrace material richness and functional elegance.

This approach to integrating design and utility is echoed in every corner of the home. The alfresco area continues this dialogue, with the main roofline extending overhead to form a sculptural cover that provides shelter without compromising sunlight, thanks to a glazed gable end that welcomes light deep into the home.

In the bedrooms and upstairs sitting rooms, materials shift toward a quieter luxury. A 1970s-inspired palette of mustard floors, white walls and timber-lined ceilings lend a calm, retro warmth, while arched transitions and textured cabinetry preserve the home’s sculptural DNA. The master suite is a sanctuary of golden light, clad in patterned wallpaper and softened by warm-toned terrazzo and brass grilles that frame and elevate the space.

In the rumpus room, timber-lined ceilings and a custom linear slot vent crafted from matching timber offer both seamless airflow and a consistent material language. Ventilation throughout the home is both concealed and refined, maintaining aesthetics while enhancing comfort.

Even the laundry becomes a celebration of colour and detail. A red travertine-tiled splashback and orange-toned cabinetry provide a theatrical contrast to the Fibonacci terrazzo benchtops, echoing the vibrant, expressive thread that runs through every space in the house.

What ties it all together is the consistency of craftsmanship and the clarity of vision. Every construction decision, from the structural forms to the tiniest joinery detail, is intentional. Every curve, texture and material combination speaks to a larger narrative: one of home, heritage and playfulness. Spatial planning is equally considered, using volume and form to create generous yet cosy environments, never letting the scale overpower the intimacy.

This beautifully articulated design, brought to life by Hedger Constructions, is a residence where craftsmanship, artistry and architecture are one. The Peach House isn’t just a home, it’s a sculptural statement grounded in functionality, family and fun. It redefines what it means to build with memory and materiality at the forefront.

For more information

Hedger Constructions

Image credit: Lucia B. Creative

The post Life is peachy with Hedger Constructions appeared first on Completehome.

Celebrating excellence in building and construction, the awards highlighted OSB’s outstanding contributions to the industry. As the most awarded builder on the night, OSB’s success reflects their innovation, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality.

Award-Winning Achievements:

1. Apprentice of the Year – Nick Green

Fourth-year carpenter Nick Green impressed judges with his commitment, talent, and leadership. By day, he works on-site; by night, he studies for a Bachelor of Urban Development (Construction Management). His dedication to mastering both practical and theoretical aspects of the industry earned him this well-deserved accolade.

2. Best Individual Home – $2.5M to $3M – Kamares sto Appia

3. Best Residential Swimming Pool – Kamares sto Appia

Both awards were won for Kamares sto Appia, A Mediterranean marvel that reflects the homeowner’s vision of a bespoke, sophisticated concrete home—seamlessly blending modern civic architecture with timeless charm.

4. Best Individual Home – $1.5M to $2M – Quinta

Quinta is a standout example of modern housing, excelling in innovation, sustainability, and liveability. It earned this prestigious award for its efficient construction process, thoughtful design, and high-quality finishes. Setting a new benchmark for residential projects, Quinta seamlessly blends functionality, environmental responsibility, and aesthetic appeal.

All four winning entries now advance to the Queensland State Awards, to be held on the Gold Coast in October 2025.

These wins cement O’Shea & Sons Builders as one of Brisbane’s leading custom home builders, with a clear passion for quality craftsmanship, innovative design, and client-focused building experiences.

Explore the Winning Homes

Kamares sto Appia

Kamares sto Appia was inspired by the client’s love for the Mediterranean lifestyle and entertaining.

Highlights include:

• Expansive, open-plan living areas
• Custom joinery blended with natural materials
• Seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining zones
• A luxurious pool that completes the architectural vision
• Sustainable design and modern civic styling

Quinta

Quinta redefines modern housing with a strong focus on:

• Sustainability
• Flexible multi-generational layouts
• Efficient construction techniques
• Thoughtful zoning between shared and private areas

With standout street appeal and a commitment to quality and functionality, Quinta is designed to adapt with its residents while reducing environmental impact.

Want to build your dream home with a multi-award-winning team? Contact O’Shea & Sons Builders today to start your journey.

Photographer: Shoot to Sell

The post O’Shea & Sons Builders Win Big at 2025 Master Builders Brisbane Awards appeared first on Completehome.

In the leafy North Shore suburb of Killara, a tired, ageing residence has been replaced by a showstopping new build. This timeless Hamptons home blends modern functionality with traditional architectural elegance.

Crafted for a professional couple and their teenage sons, the home was designed to reflect their evolving lifestyle needs, offering space, privacy, flexibility, and beauty in equal measure.

A Challenging Site, a Creative Solution

The site itself presented several challenges. Fan-shaped and nearly triangular, it stretches from a narrow 4-metre frontage to a generous 43 metres at the rear. It also featured significant cross-fall, a central sewer main, and several mature trees that needed to be retained.

Rather than see this as a limitation, the design team embraced it. The solution? Strategically positioning the house far from the street to maximise the buildable footprint and preserve the natural features. The result is a grand yet understated façade with instant street appeal, nestled comfortably within its environment and true to the suburb’s traditional character.

Multi-Level Living, Single-Storey Feel

While the home spans three levels, its clever design makes it appear largely single storey from the street. The lower ground floor is tucked discreetly out of sight, housing a three-car garage, two storage rooms, and a motorised turntable to simplify vehicle access on the tight front boundary.

The first floor is integrated into the steeply pitched gabled roof, utilising dormer windows to bring in light and ventilation. This helps retain Hampton’s aesthetic while increasing functionality in the upper-level bedrooms and bathrooms.

Welcome Home: A Grand Yet Inviting Entrance

A decorative porch, flanked by twin verandas, provides a classic entry point into the home. To the right of the central hallway sits a formal study—ideal for the work-from-home lifestyle. On the left, a versatile music and guest room doubles as a peaceful retreat.

But it’s the rear of the home that truly shines.

Open-Plan Living Designed for Real Life

The informal living zones are all positioned at the north-facing rear of the home to maximise natural light and connection to the outdoors. A beautifully appointed kitchen, dining, and family living area wraps around a generous alfresco terrace, which enjoys uninterrupted views of the lush backyard and elevated swimming pool.

Feature garden walls provide a living backdrop to the interiors, showcasing the owners’ passion for greenery and giving the home a serene, resort-like feel.

Private Retreats for Growing Teens

Upstairs is all about privacy. With the teenage boys, each enjoys their own suite, complete with an ensuite, generous robe space, and study nooks. But the standout design feature? Hidden attic storage spaces tucked behind swinging bookcases—a whimsical, practical touch that reflects thoughtful planning and a sense of fun.

A shared front-facing deck gives them a private outlook across the landscaped front garden—a peaceful spot for reading, relaxing, or entertaining friends.

The parents’ master suite is equally impressive, offering a spacious bedroom adorned with a private balcony, walk-in wardrobe and a luxurious ensuite, all bathed in natural light.
Outdoor Living, Elevated

To create a level rear yard, the architects cleverly utilised the elevated pool structure as a retaining wall, allowing the family to enjoy an ample and functional lawn space. The pool and alfresco are seamlessly connected, encouraging effortless outdoor entertaining and day-to-day use.

Built to Last

This is a home that looks beautiful—but more importantly, it’s built with integrity. Premium finishes and expert craftsmanship showcase the collaboration of the client, interior designer, and builder to ensure durability and reduced long-term maintenance. It’s an investment not just in the structure but in lifestyle and future resale value.

The Final Word: A Family’s Delight

Ultimately, the success of a new home isn’t just about architecture or aesthetics—it’s about how it feels to live in. Shortly after the family moved in, the architect called to check in. The reply was instant and heartfelt:

“It’s just perfect, everything and more than we hoped. We’re cracking open a bottle of red wine on the alfresco, overlooking our new pool and backyard—we just love our new home!” Enough said!”

It’s moments like these that prove great design and construction partnerships go beyond drawings and bits of wood, Bricks and mortar, and create joy, comfort, and lasting memories for the occupant.

Chateau Architects and Builders have been Building Landmark homes for over 50 Years. Let Chateau help you explore the possibilities.

The post The Killara Hamptons Home: A Family’s Delight appeared first on Completehome.

With learnings from Passivhaus and BAL-FZ being at the forefront of this building, they work in-tandem to achieve a sustainable and protected home due to the bushfire risk of this property’s location. Therefore, Paarhammer’s BAL-FZ windows and doors were used for this project to ensure that bushfire requirements were met while visually adding to the look of the property by blending into the building.

The windows and doors made from Manilkara Bidentata timber (Pacific Jarrah), combined with Schott Pyranova® intumescent glazing as part of double glazing, offer this property the highest protection against bushfires without the need for shutters. Each operable window includes flyscreens made from stainless steel to provide increased protection from embers.

To meet the property owners’ requirements of sustainability, an airtightness of 0.5ACH50 was achieved, having been checked with a blower door test. With the windows and doors being highly airtight, this substantially helped to achieve an increase in energy efficiency of the property. Double-glazing with low-E coatings on some of the window products helps further insulate against heat loss in the colder months and also insulates in the warmer months.

High-pitched roofs angle away from a courtyard in the middle of the two halves of the building. This allows ample light to filter in through the kitchen and dining room windows.

Several stacker sliding doors were used for the kitchen, bedroom and dining areas to allow open access to the bush at the back of the property and to the courtyard. These lift-slide stacker doors also maximise ventilation due to the property being highly airtight. Fixed picture windows along the front and side of the building included narrow tilt and turn windows to also accommodate ventilation throughout the building. The bedroom also includes an angled fixed window above the sliding door to allow morning light to filter in.

The BAL-FZ windows and doors within this project ensure protection during bushfires and offer high energy efficiency for many years to come. All BAL-FZ windows are tested, compliant, and approved to all relevant Australian Standards.

Architect: Anderson Architecture
Builder: Northcote Constructions

For more information

Paarhammer Windows & Doors

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Idyllically located on Victoria’s Surf Coast, this impressive new family home and office marries contemporary design with environmental sustainability, creating a harmonious and stylish retreat for work, play, and family life. The original 3-acre block featured a perimeter of established trees but was otherwise a blank canvas. Auhaus Architecture worked with the clients to develop a sculptural home design with sweeping curves, impressive scale and a palette of natural materials to create a statement home with a uniquely Australian aesthetic.

Renowned for delivering custom homes of this size and calibre, Hedger Constructions were engaged in the design and development phase and worked collaboratively with the architects and clients to bring the ambitious home vision to life.

The property has a truly unique design and spatial organisation, with no formal front or back. From every side of the home a different aspect of the property can be experienced, with multiple entry and exit points encouraging access to private or shared spaces, whilst immersing occupants in outdoor entertaining and the lush landscaping surrounding the build. Created as two distinct pavilions connected via a glass walkway, the main wing houses the central living, kitchen, dining areas, home office, cinema complex and master suite, while the other is dedicated to the children’s and guest quarters, complete with separate entertaining areas, garage and laundry.

Externally and internally, artisan Elephant Bricks contribute mid-century style and strength, and have been expertly laid to incorporate incredible wall curves, rising to the steeply pitched skillion roof. High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows curve elegantly around the building’s exterior, mirroring its architectural contours and inviting an abundance of natural light. External eaves are meticulously lined in natural timber to complement the decking and emphasise the sculptural curves of the main wing.

Within the main pavilion, raked ceilings accentuate height and are finished with floating plaster and concealed lighting on all sides, creating a soft and relaxing ambience, whilst subtly highlighting the texture and earthy tones of the brickwork.

The home’s double brick walls provide not only a stunning visual element, but also serve as a thermal mass, retaining heat during winter. Polished concrete floors with a salt-and-pepper finish flow throughout the open plan area, providing additional thermal mass by capturing the sun’s warmth in the day and slowly releasing it in the evenings to naturally warm this cool climate home. Hydronic heating, air conditioning, and a solar-battery hybrid system provide energy-efficiency, while heat pumps, water tanks and a greywater treatment system ensure sustainability.

At the heart of the home, the kitchen, dining, and lounge area impress with their open-plan design. A cleverly concealed scullery backing onto the main kitchen ensures the area remains clutter-free, while the thick natural stone topped island bench doubles as a breakfast bar. High-end appliances, including a custom-built range hood and induction cooktop, blend seamlessly
into the space, maintaining a streamlined aesthetic. Custom timber veneer cabinetry features throughout the kitchen and lounge areas creating a balanced, integrated and functional design. Within the lounge a triple-sided Cheminees Philippe wood heater with feature flue sits upon on a custom concrete hearth, gently warming the home.

The central area opens onto an outdoor entertaining space, where a custom-built pizza oven and BBQ are nestled within concrete benchtops. Timber decking and ceilings along with a wood heater and fans enhance the alfresco zone, creating a private and weather-protected retreat for relaxation and dining.

The adjacent entertainment room is a cinema lover’s dream, featuring state-of-the-art acoustic insulation and audiovisual equipment for an immersive experience. A billiards table and extensive bar, complete with stone splashbacks and subway tile bases, elevate this space into an entertainer’s paradise.

The master suite offers a serene escape, with walk-in robes, expansive garden views and direct access to a private courtyard. The spacious ensuite features double stone topped vanities, brass tapware, and subway tile accents. A free-standing bath, positioned against floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the private courtyard, is both luxurious and discreet.

All bathrooms throughout the home exude elegance, with floor-to-ceiling tiles extending into skylight cavities for a sense of light and luxury. Recessed downlights and feature lighting deliver understated style to every corner.

The home office, perched on the second story, offers a commanding view of the expansive grounds and includes a private balcony. Designed for productivity and inspiration, this space embodies the perfect balance of work and leisure.

In the second wing, each child’s bedroom is a personalised haven, decorated with their own chosen artworks adorning walls and ceilings. Custom-built robes and desks provide practical yet stylish individual spaces, while their shared entertainment room is the ultimate hub for games, music, and movies. Guest quarters are also included within this wing, accompanied by private ensuites to ensure tranquil retreats.

The home’s luxury automation system connects lighting, audio, and communication to centralised digital management, offering seamless control at the touch of a button. A dedicated server room ensures smooth operation, bringing modern convenience to every aspect of daily life.

Thoughtfully crafted to accommodate the diverse needs of its residents, this sculptural winged residence is an architectural triumph, offering a balance of privacy, connectivity, and functionality. Blending luxury, sustainability, and practicality, and delivered with exceptional craftsmanship, this iconic home redefines modern family living on Victoria’s picturesque coast.

Photography Credits: Paul West Photography

For more information

Hedger Constructions

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