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Motor racing legend Alfredo Costanzo in the trophy room of the Doncaster home he lived in throughout his car racing career. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Forty years ago, Australian motorsport champ Alfredo ‘Alfie’ Costanzo tapped the brakes on a shot at an international racing career to do the right thing by his family.

That decision might be about to provide him with his biggest prize yet.

Costanzo won a record four consecutive Australian Drivers’ Championships, appeared in the Australian Grand Prix 11 times and had tilts at Bathurst before retiring in 1998.

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He placed fourth in 1980 and 1984, just before the Grand Prix was given Formula 1 status.

But today the “dream home” at 5 Eden Court, Doncaster, he designed, built and lived in throughout his career is on the verge of a $2m sale. He stands to make a whopping windfall, having paid just $8000 for the block of land 47 years ago.

But selling the Spanish Mission-style house might mean downsizing the collection of trophies and memorabilia that are his “pride and joy”.

The Spanish Mission-style flair of the home is a rarity in the suburb.

It includes the cockpit cover of a Formula Mondial car he raced for Porsche in the 1980s, given to him as a 40th birthday present by his former boss Alan Hamilton — the man who first brought the luxury sports cars to Australia.

“My success came pretty late in my career,” Costanzo said.

“I thought about trying my luck overseas. But the only place I could go was America, because I was too old for Formula 1, and taking my family there was a decision I never took.

“But I think I made the right decision.”

The home’s living room comes complete with a grand staircase and a bar.

By staying put, he wound up equalling Aussie motorsport legend Bib Stillwell’s 1960s Championship record.

It also gave him a chance to appreciate the home be built with skills learned watching his brother and father renovate and flip houses in Fitzroy North, where he grew up after immigrating from Calabria in Italy.

“I did a lot of the work myself,” he said of the Doncaster house.

“When you put something in your mind you want to do, you find a way. You learn from an expert — and when I was finished, I was a bit of an expert myself.”

Pictured: the right decision.

The four-bedroom house has plenty of European flair including a backyard pizza oven that will get Italian-food lovers’ pulses racing.

A tranquil water feature adjoining the pool, and a pool house with a kitchenette and bathroom, ensures a relaxed atmosphere for guests.

Step inside the house and a grand entry hall is set between a games room and sprawling lounge room with a bar and eye-catching decor.

The pizza oven has been popular at Costanzo family gatherings over the years.

Marble tiles imported from Italy appear throughout the home, notably in its bathrooms.

The large kitchen features a plantation window as well as granite benchtops and splashbacks.

“There are a lot of nice features — the garage has space for at least three cars and a lot of workshop space,” Costanzo said.

He plans to downsize to a more modest abode nearby.

The home’s marble tiles were imported from Italy.

Noel Jones Doncaster’s Daniel D’Assisi said he had “never sold anything like this” in his 26 years in real estate.

“It’s certainly sparked interest and inquiry due to its uniqueness,” Mr D’Assisi said.

Built on multiple concrete slabs with then-uncommon in-floor heating added in, the brick house is still “solid”.

“I will miss the whole house, I designed it for my family,” Costanzo said. “But my wife has gone to God and the house is too big.”

It has a $1.9-$2.09m price guide.

The home’s timber kitchen is topped with polished granite.

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Mornington Peninsula enclaves have reeled in some of Melbourne’s largest house price gains of the past 20 years.

Coast and country suburbs Tyabb, Somers, Rye and Tootgarook dominated Greater Melbourne’s top performing price growth suburbs since 2000.

Realestate.com.au data shows Tyabb topped the list, with the suburb’s median house price shooting up 682 per cent over two decades, from $121,500 to $950,000.

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Katherine Rossetti and her son Dominic at their Rye beach house for sale at 121 Golf Parade. Picture: Nicole Cleary

93 Jones Road, Tyabb sold for a massive $2.8m this year.

Somers’ median house price skyrocketed 574 per cent since the start of the century, from $144,000 to $970,051, and in Crib Point, 560 per cent from $90,000 to $525,000.

Other peninsula pockets to make the citywide top 20 were Rye (up 481 per cent to $702,500), Blairgowrie (464 per cent to $924,000) and Hastings (461 per cent to $505,000).

SEE MELBOURNE’S TOP 100 SUBURBS FOR 20-YEAR HOUSE PRICE GROWTH

Belle Property Blairgorwie agent Mal McInnes said the former “sleepy hollows” had sparked more buyer demand than the likes of blue-chip Sorrento and Portsea because they were far more affordable.

1 Henty Grove, Somers sold for $1.2m.

1/148 Disney Street, Crib Point sold for $442,000

“We get excited about the prices we achieve, but buyers from Melbourne still perceive it to be quite cheap given how much values are up in the city,” Mr McInnes said.

“These areas have gone from being sleepy hollows to quite cosmopolitan seaside suburbs … and there’s a trend for more people to reside down here permanently.”

Katherine Rossetti’s family bought its first Rye house for $350,000 in 2010 — a price she said “doesn’t exist” in the suburb anymore.

121 Golf Parade, Rye is for sale.

Inside the impressive beach house.

Her second property in postcode 3941, at 121 Golf Parade, is for sale with a $1.05-$1.15m price guide via Belle Property Blairgowrie.

“Rye has always been gloriously daggy, family oriented and not pretentious,” Ms Rossetti said.

“But it has changed a lot, with more architectural homes and renovations being done to old beach shacks.”

The Rosetti family beach house boasts impressive views to the city, a wide open living domain and modern appliances in the kitchen.

Views across the Mornington Peninsula.

A modern kitchen is part of the package.

Clayton was Melbourne third best performer of the past 20 years, according to realestate.com.au, with its median house price jumping 560 per cent to $1.2m.

Other notable growth suburbs were Springvale (up 510 per cent to $762,000), Box Hill (501 per cent to $1.624m), Chadstone (475 per cent to $1.116m) and Box Hill North (473 per cent to $1.26m).

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Consibee also attributed Clayton’s boom to the fact it was home to Monash University.

59 Harlington Street, Clayton sold for $980,000.

1 Alexander Street, Box Hill sold for $1.459m.

“The university has gone from strength to strength,” she said.

Ms Conisbee said many of the growth stars had also benefited from a ripple effect that had pushed entry-level buyers, who had been priced out of gentrified inner suburbs, further from the city centre.

This applied to western suburbs Laverton and Braybrook — both a few postcodes over from trendy Seddon and Yarraville — where the median house prices had soared 471 per cent to $542,500 and 464 per cent to $680,000 respectively.

30 Lee Avenue, Springvale sold for $805,000.

21 Jackson Avenue, Mont Albert North sold for $1.84m

She noted traditional blue-chip suburbs had also performed well since 2000.

Malvern led the way, with 502 per cent gains to a whopping $2.8m median, followed by Mont Albert North, up 486 per cent to $1,540,500.

“Well-maintained homes in well-located areas have always done well,” she said.

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TOP 20 PRICE PERFORMERS SINCE 2000

(Suburb, median price in 2000, median price now- June 2020, percentage increase)

1. Tyabb $121,500 to $950,000, 682%

2. Somers $144,000 to $970,051 574%

3. Clayton $182,000 to $1,200,500, 560%

4. Springvale $125,000 to $762,000, 510%

5. Malvern $465,000 to $2,800,000, 502%

6. Box Hill $270,000 to $1,623,500, 501%

7. Mont Albert North $263,000 to $1,540,500 486%

8. Crib Point $90,000 to $525,000 483%

9. Rye $121,000 to $702,500 481%

10. Tootgarook $104,000 to $600,000 477%

11. Bonbeach $152,750 to $880,000 476%

12. Chadstone $194,000 to $1,116,000 475%

13. Box Hill North $220,000 to $1,260,000 473%

14. Laverton $95,000 to $542,500 471%

15. Braybrook $120,500 to $680,000 464%

16. Blairgowrie $163,750 to $924,000 464%

17. Hastings $90,000 to $505,000 461%

18. Doveton $83,500 to $467,500 460%

19. Lysterfield $170,000 to $945,000 456%

20. Ashburton $315,000 to $1,750,000 456%

Source: realestate.com.au

The post Melbourne’s top 20 suburbs for house price growth since 2000 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

1-5/1453 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach.

Winning an entire complex of luxury apartments in the Gold Coast’s hottest suburb is a dream come true for RSL prize recipient Nick Matthews.

A week inside the double storey penthouse with partner Tamesha was almost enough to convince the 30-year-old to pack up and make it home.

The modern apartments all come fully furnushed.

“It was so lovely waking up and walking to the beach and the cafes, it’s all very enticing,” he said. “Palm Beach is such a great suburb, you’ve got everything you need. It was hard to pull ourselves away.”

With friends and family on the northern Gold Coast, Mr Matthews made the difficult decision to sell the Buna Shores complex located at 1-5/1453 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach.

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The double storey penthouse enjoys an ocean view.

A five bedroom penthouse, a three bedroom sub penthouse and three two-bedroom apartments are offered fully furnished. Each is modern in style with an open plan design and ocean views.

“The views are really stunning,” said agent Jackson Paradise. “These apartments are perfect for downsizers. It’s also a great opportunity to purchase a whole building and see strong returns from holiday or permanent rent.”

Eat at home or head out to one of Palm Beach’s popular restaurants.

On site facilities include a podium level swimming pool with ocean views while cars have secure garage parking.

Ray White agents Jackson Paradise and Travis Miller are taking expressions of interest until August 19.

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Horticulturalist Jamie Durie says it’s as simple as starting with the light bulbs in looking for cost-effective ways to look after the planet.

Homeowners are increasing their demand for sustainable living options — and banks and developers are taking notice of the emerging green trend.

It’s not just about reducing carbon footprint, with soaring power bills sending people in search of cost-effective strategies. There has also been a shift towards more eco-friendly lifestyles across the country.

New builds are required to meet a minimum standard of energy rating on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) rating system, as awareness of energy efficiency increases.

And while those minimum standards are only likely to increase, the experts say there are also plenty of cost-effective ways to reduce your energy bills and look after the planet.

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Sustaining the demand

Celebrity horticulturalist Jamie Durie said Australians were increasingly taking note of the impact of climate change.

“We’re also becoming much more aware about the solutions that are available to us to slow down the (global) warming process,” the Allianz sustainability advocate said. “We need to change the way we move forward — change buildings, homes, gardens and the materials we use.”

ADP Consulting sustainability director Sophie Hutchinson added the recent Australia-wide bushfires and coronavirus pandemic had made homeowners more conscious of their energy bills.

“There’s a huge opportunity to rethink what we’re doing,” she said.

“People are spending more time in their homes (due to COVID-19), therefore they want their homes to be more energy efficient.

“And the bushfires have increased people’s awareness of ventilation and having a healthy indoor environment.”

New builds like this Porter Davis one are focusing on natural light, neutral colours and indoor plants.

Since 2013, new Victorian apartments have been required to achieve a minimum six-star NatHERS rating collectively for all units, and not fall below five stars for individual units. New houses must meet at least a six-star rating.

“Councils have been pushing for an increase on that,” Ms Hutchinson said.

She added increased appetite for sustainability in homes was translating to more eco-friendly projects and green lights from the banking sector.

“People are becoming more aware of the (NatHERS) scheme and banks … are starting to shift money, and therefore value, into energy efficient homes,” Ms Hutchinson said.

Greater awareness of the NatHERS rating system has seen banks and developers show more interest.

Victorian homeowners can access council-based Environmental Upgrade Finance loans from financial institutions for sustainability and climate adaptation improvements. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation also offers discount home loans for builds that achieve a minimum seven-star NatHERS energy rating.

“There’s starting to be this awareness that not only do people want to go into energy efficiency, they’ll also save money and have more comfort,” Ms Hutchinson said.

Upcyling Lifestyle

Sustainability options had been around for decades, said Durie, who filmed his first biodegradable washing detergent ad in 1993.

“I’ve been hugging trees for a long time now — long before it became cool,” he joked. “There have been environmental solutions around for a long time. It’s taken us a while to wake up to it, unfortunately the planet has suffered and so have we.”

But with greater awareness had come greater ease.

“It can be as small as changing your light globes,” Durie said.

The House Rules host only used salvaged or Forest Stewardship Council-certified timber when building. “I also try to use site soil and existing rock in my gardens,” he said.

Focusing on the longevity of furniture, rather than cheap measures, would also have a positive impact, according to Porter Davis interior designer Patrizia Romeo.

Ms Romeo said second-hand stores and Gumtree had a “treasure trove” of quality furniture.

She said access to “fast furniture” had never been easier. But consumers should be aware they had “short lifespans and will spend more time in landfill than in your living room”.

Gumtree and second-hand stores, on the other hand, were “treasure troves for amazing-quality furniture needing a facelift”, she said.

“The best timbers to look for are birch, oak, ash, walnut and maple, as they will all resit cracking,” Ms Romeo advised. “Soft timbers like cedar, pine or redwood tend to warp over time. Reupholstering a lounge, or sanding down to relacquer a dining table will be a fraction of the cost of a new item.”

Ms Romeo added a surprising amount of luxury brands were now using recycled materials innovatively, from jeans recycled as insulation to whisky barrels being converted into hardwood floors.

Developers are also joining the movement. Collingwood project C & L — which has an average 7.5-star NatHERS rating — is recycling 20,000 bricks from the building’s original facade.

The brick facade at C & L has been retained.

Plant life is also set to feature prominently at C & L, Collingwood.

“We’ve saved 6400kg of CO2 equivalent as a result of reusing the facade,” Ms Hutchinson said.

Eco-trending style

With increased popularity driving demand for sustainability, green style has taken centre stage.

Ms Hutchinson said bringing natural greenery inside had become a trend. “Our innate human connection is to want to be in nature, yet we’ve evolved to be spending purely 90 per cent of our time indoors,” she said.

“Natural materials, patterns and shapes and lots of natural light — all of those are really important for a healthy indoor residential environment.”

Ms Romeo said using a lighter colour palette and reflective surfaces would brighten rooms and minimise the need for artificial light during the day.

Lighter colours inside helps brighten rooms.

Natural materials also improve your sense of wellbeing inside.

“Take your time to research Australian made, locally sourced items that you love and slowly add them into your home,” Ms Romeo advised.

Durie said bringing natural colours inside was giving people a greater connection to nature and improving wellbeing.

He added that Allianz and UTS’ Future of Living Report found that future generations had shifted their focus towards sustainability and smaller homes.

“Some of this came up in that study,” Durie said. “Using a higher level of Australian native species and starting to fall in love with our own backyard again.”

“I’m just grateful native plants are suddenly becoming cool again,” he said.

Developments like C & L Residences have diverted more focus to communal rooftop spaces.

TOP ECO TIPS

■ Use bamboo as it’s sustainable, natural and fast growing, plus easy to replace.

■ Use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials as a standard practice, including paint to reduce chemical impact.

■Add a water tank, as water scarcity is expected to become more of an issue.

■ Plant natives like proteas, callistemons and bottlebrushes, as they allow the bee population to regenerate.

■Cloth shades, LED light bulbs, good insulation, double-glazed windows, solar panels, adjustable thermostats and light dimmers are all additions that will help your household be more eco-friendly.

Sources: Jamie Durie, Sophie Hutchinson and Patrizia Romeo

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jack.boronovskis@news.com.au

@jackboronovskis

The post Jamie Durie: Sustainable home style, affordable green living appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Netherby house at 34 Netherby Avenue fetched $1.34 million in March. Pic: realestate.com.au

Adelaide’s million-dollar club has changed a lot in a year, with four new suburbs making it into the exclusive group while six others have been pushed out.

Median house prices in Hazelwood Park, Netherby, Stonyfell and Westbourne Park surged to more than $1 million in the year to June 30.

On the flip side, those in Joslin, Kensington Park, Kingswood, Millswood, North Adelaide and Unley dipped below the seven-figure threshold.

The figures are based on suburbs with a minimum of 10 sales, so one deal could have pushed the suburb medians above or below $1 million.

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The Millswood property at 74 Mitchell Street sold for $1.685 million in March. Pic: realestate.com.au

Ouwens Casserly Real Estate agent Alistair Loudon said several renovations and new builds in suburbs like Westbourne Park and Netherby had improved house values, therefore pushing the areas into the million-dollar club.

Kingswood and Millswood were suburbs Mr Loudon believed would move back into the club very soon – but he said there were still good opportunities to get into them for less.

“There’s definitely options below the millions in Millswood, particularly on the western side of Goodwood Rd,” he said.

“If more stock sells on the western side of Goodwood Rd than the eastern side, then you’ll see the median house price come down.”

Chief economist at realestate.com.au Nerida Conisbee said househunters who had been longing to buy in some of the city’s most exclusive suburbs but couldn’t afford it now had a chance.

The Unley house at 14 Fairford Street sold in June for $781,000. Pic: realestate.com.au

The North Adelaide house at 24 Ward Street is on the market. Pic: realestate.com.au

“Despite being two of the most popular suburbs on realestate.com.au, Unley and North Adelaide have now dipped under a $1 million median, offering buyers a good opportunity to get into some of the most desired suburbs for less,” she said.

Harris Real Estate agents Henry Gower Tillett and Georgie Todd said there were always opportunities to buy into some suburbs like North Adelaide and Unley for six figures but it depended on market conditions at any given time.

“I think people were hesitating to commit through a four-week period in the peak of COVID-19,” he said.

“Some people may have had to sell quickly too.

“This could be reflective of that (median price) drop.

“But as soon as restrictions were lifted in South Australia, the numbers were skyrocketing.”

Adelaide now has 17 suburbs in its million-dollar club, according to realestate.com.au.

MILLION DOLLAR SUBURBS

(Suburb, median house price at June 30, 2019, median house price at June 30, 2020)

Dulwich – $1.2 million – $1.05 million

Erindale – $1.16 million – $1,085,250

Glenelg South –$1.02 million – $1.05 million

Glenunga – $1.207 million – $1,005,250

Hazelwood Park – $881,500 – $1.1 million

Hyde Park – $1,079,500 – $1.425 million

Malvern – $1.315 million – $1.09 million

Medindie – $1,450,500 – $1.65 million

Netherby – $970,000 – $1.205 million

St Georges – $1.125 – $1.090 million

St Peters – $1.215 million – $1.285 million

Stonyfell – $895,000 – $1.04 million

Toorak Gardens – $1,272,500 – $1.46 million

Tusmore – $1.25 million – $1,238,500

Unley Park – $1.9 million – $1.325 million

Walkerville – $1.125 million – $1.14 million

Westbourne Park – $910,000 – $1.085 million

JOINED THE MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

Hazelwood Park – $881,500 – $1.1 million

Netherby – $970,000 – $1.205 million

Stonyfell – $895,000 – $1.04 million

Westbourne Park – $910,000 – $1.085 million

LEFT THE MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

Joslin – $1.11 million – $925,500

Kensington Park – $1.04 million – $890,000

Kingswood – $1,067,500 – $945,000

Millswood – $1,018,500 – $995,000

North Adelaide – $1.145 million – $925,000

Unley – $1.06 million – $971,500

(Source: realestate.com.au)

The post Adelaide’s million-dollar club: the suburbs that have moved in and out appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Window coverings, like the honeycomb Duette blinds by Luxaflex, can help prevent cold air from entering the room once it has hit the glass. luxaflex.com.au

Most of us can’t get through the whole of winter without some sort of heat source. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s the right size for the space.

Josephine says most of us could manage living in smaller houses that would be easier to keep warm.

“Everyone wants open plan now but think back to a lot of older homes that were smaller,” she says. “You’re not trying to heat large, cavernous spaces.”

This Albury house by Kerstin Thompson Architects uses brick to prevent heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. kerstinthompson.com Picture: Dan Preston

Your friends may not comment on it when they come by, but insulation is the unsung hero for keeping you comfortable all year round. If the budget doesn’t stretch to every part of the house, start by installing or replacing batts in the ceiling, where most hot air escapes. Alternatively, use a reverse brick veneer construction where the face brick on the inside dramatically slows down heat loss.

This house in Camperdown was designed by Andrew Waller for comfort all year round. mrwaller.com Picture: Nicholas Watt

If there’s no budget for a big renovation or you’re renting, there are still options for staying warm without turning on the heater. Open the curtains during the day to let the winter sun in and draw them as soon as the sun goes down. You can create zones which are easier to heat by attaching ready-to-hang curtains between spaces. If you’re in a single-person household, heating the person rather than the room makes the most sense. Add extra layers, buy some quality slippers and avoid sitting down for long periods. If you haven’t already, make the switch to a winter quilt for the bed. Traditional feather down quilts have a life between eight and 15 years. Look for a baffle construction that prevents the filling shifting.

Trees can help moderate temperatures in the house. Instagram: avashirley.architect Picture: James Deck and Michael Nicholson

This small freestanding house was designed by architect Ava Shirley to accommodate the existing angophoras on site. Trees that allow the winter sun through to living areas during the day but protect the house from the worst of the heat in summer are a great way to regulate indoor temperatures, says architect Josephine Hurley.

“Deciduous trees are particularly good for this purpose,” says Josephine. “You get the shade in summer and then the leaves fall and the sun comes through in winter.”

If you don’t already have trees in your garden, it’s worth getting some professional advice before you plant something too big, too intrusive or too close to the house.

Glass windows can be the best or worst enemy for those trying to stay warm in winter. Architect Josephine Hurley says Australians don’t have a great track record with double glazing, which slows down heat transfer by creating a pocket of air between the two panes of glass.

“We don’t use double glazing as much as we should,” she says. “The Europeans use it really well. We also don’t seal our houses well, which lets the heat out.”

Window coverings, like the honeycomb Duette blinds by Luxaflex can help prevent cold air from entering the room once it has hit the glass. Josephine says placing external shutters on the windows can be even more effective in preventing the cold from coming in — and it slows the heat transfer in summer.

A concrete slab like in this North Bondi house renovated by architect Josephine Hurley, will help retain heat in winter, josephinehurley.com Picture: Tom Ferguson

Concrete slabs are not only a practical choice in many cases, but they’re a great way to manage temperatures, says Josephine Hurley, who designed this renovation in North Bondi. Where possible, she likes to go one step further and install underfloor hydronic heating.

“My first experience of hydronic heating was staying with friends and they were walking around barefoot in winter,” she says. ”It’s a beautiful, subtle heat that doesn’t dry out the air.”

josephinehurley.com

The post Building your house to increase warmth will help minimise bills appeared first on realestate.com.au.

NSW Houses Award winner Best House Alteration under 200sqm Bismarck House at Bondi by Andrew Burges Architects. Picture: Peter Bennetts

A tight site that actively engages with its neighbours on the street, a restrained re-working of a 1980s apartment, a sustainable house that champions good design and a breathtaking clifftop garden that looks like it has always been there were the NSW winners in this year’s Houses Awards.

Andrew Burges Architects picked up the award for Best House Alteration under 200sqm for Bismarck House.

Bondi’s award winning Bismarck House. Picture: Peter Bennetts

While many houses on such tight, urban sites seek to turn their backs on the street, this extension to a semi in Bondi celebrates it, with a kitchen window overlooking the laneway.

The jury said it “brings the domestic life of the house into direct relation with the energy and materiality of its laneway context.”

Picture: Peter Bennetts

Picture: Peter Bennetts

Picture: Peter Bennetts

Privacy is created with a series or roof gardens and light courts, treating the house and garden as one whole site.

Sydney’s best apartment

Minimalism is king in the reworking of a 1980s apartment in Cremorne Point by Studio Plus Three that took out the Best Apartment category. White walls and pale oak joinery dominate while a reconfiguration of the kitchen opened it up to harbour views.

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Minimalism wins in Sydney. Picture: Ben Hosking

Picture: Ben Hosking

It is an oasis of calm that allows the owners to impart their own personality with decoration.

The jury said “Cremorne Point Apartment is a work of intelligent, restrained design.

Picture: Ben Hosking

Its simplicity and limited palette of white walls and pale oak timber bring light and life deep into the interior of this moderately sized apartment in a way that might seem inevitable.”

Picture: Ben Hosking

Humility key to sustainable homes

Built with affordability and practicality in mind, it is hard to deny that the winner of this year’s award for Best Sustainability is also beautiful.

NSW Houses Award winner Best Sustainable Waratah House by Anthrosite Architects.

The modest house in Waratah in north western Newcastle was designed by Anthrosite Architects for a small, infill site using low waste materials and construction methods. It’s box-like form was designed to speed up construction and keep labour costs down.

A humble project.

Keeping costs down.

The jury said: “Waratah Secondary House is a small, humble project that delivers something that we need to see more of in our cities.”

Small cars only.

Design we need more of.

Garden that links the ocean to the land

The multi-award winning garden designed by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture with Bates Landscape adds another award to the shelf, taking out Best Garden this year.

Clifftop Garden in Vaucluse has taken out the top Australian Institute of Landscape Architects NSW Award of Excellence in the Gardens category. Designed by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture. Picture: Dianna Snape

A detailed and delicate landscape. Picture: Dianna Snape

It is positioned on a cliff edge at Vaucluse. Rugged and beautiful, it seeks to be the link between the natural escarpment and the architecture of the house. Able to be appreciated from a distance, closer inspection reveals a detailed and delicate landscape using sandstone and a mix of native and exotic species to create micro ecologies.

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NSW’s best garden. Picture: Dianna Snape

The jury said: “Delicate and detailed, Vaucluse Garden’s small series of landscape interventions acts to experientially ground the domestic life of the house.”

Garden by the sea. Picture: Dianna Snape

The post Jaw dropping NSW homes claim prestigious Houses Awards appeared first on realestate.com.au.

House prices have jumped more than 400 per cent in many Queensland suburbs in the past 20 years. Image: AAP/Sam Mooy.

HOMEOWNERS who bought a house in the “right” suburb at the turn of the millennium have pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars profit thanks to soaring price growth.

House prices have surged by more than a staggering 400 per cent in at least 20 Brisbane suburbs and four regional areas over the past two decades, with urban renewal and a shift in lifestyle preferences fuelling the surge — possibly the largest growth spurt in history.

Research by Realestate.com.au reveals the biggest price movers in the state over the past 20 years were predominantly inner and middle ring Brisbane suburbs and coastal suburbs, with the Sunshine Coast making up half of the entire top 20.

House prices have surged by more than 400 per cent in some Queensland suburbs since the turn of the millennium. Photo: Brett Wortman.

Windsor, in Brisbane’s inner north, posted the biggest surge in its median house price in the state, increasing from $183,000 in the year 2000 to a whopping $1.08 million in June this year.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said the top-ranked price growth suburbs had a lot in common.

Ms Conisbee said suburbs that had undergone urban renewal or become substantially more desirable because of a shift in buyer preferences had recorded the strongest price growth.

“Twenty years ago, it wasn’t as popular to live so close to the beach,” Ms Conisbee said.

“People also wanted bigger homes on big blocks and wanted to live further out, but there’s been a real shift towards wanting to live close to amenities and to be within walking distance of everything.

“If you have a look at Windsor, that suburb has become overwhelmingly popular.”

REA Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee.

Ms Conisbee said the gentrification of certain suburbs had also created a ripple effect, which had pushed up prices in neighbouring suburbs.

“A lot of old people have moved out of these suburbs in the past 20 years and a lot of younger people have moved in,” she said.

“Because young people tend to renovate and demand better services, that gives a lot of areas renewed energy, which tends to lead to some big changes in prices.”

Ms Conisbee said the traditional blue-chip suburbs had generally performed well also.

“It’s that flight to quality, broadly,” she said.

“Well maintained homes in well located areas have always done well.”

Ms Conisbee said Queenslander homes had seemed to have increased in appeal over the past 20 years, with many located in the older suburbs closer to the CBD and renovating becoming more popular.

Cohen Handler Queensland managing director and buyer’s agent Jordan Navybox said the heavy character overlays in suburbs such as Windsor, Grange and New Farm had pushed up prices because they had a high number of properties that could not be demolished or redeveloped.

“Couple that with the affordability of these inner-city suburbs compared to the equivalent in Sydney and Melbourne and you can see why they’ve become so popular,” Mr Navybox said.

“What we’re always targeting for investors in Brisbane are suburbs where there is high demand, that are as close to the CBD as possible, low supply and close to amenities.”

Jordan Navybox, general manager for Queensland at Cohen Handler. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen.

Newly engaged couple Nick Ruddell and Kirby Hursthouse bought a house in Windsor earlier this year and are hoping house prices will continue to grow at the same rate for the next 20 years.

The couple are in the middle of a major renovation to transform their house into a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home.

Mr Ruddell said he was confident they would not lose money by investing in the property because of the popularity of Windsor as a suburb.

“For us, we always wanted to be on the northside and in a suburb that had a village kind of feel to it,” Mr Ruddell said.

“We looked in Paddington, but it has really narrow streets and nowhere to park, whereas here, you’ve got nice, wide avenues, city views — like our place has got — and it’s really quiet despite only being three to 4km from the city.”

Engaged couple Nick Ruddell, 34, and Kirby Hursthouse, 32, are renovating their house at 23 Sixth Ave, Windsor. Windsor has recorded the highest house price growth of any Queensland suburb in the past two decades. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Ray White Wilston owner Alistair Macmillan said part of the reason house prices in Windsor were so much lower two decades ago was because one side of the suburb was considered less desirable than the other.

“Traditionally, there has been a large discrepancy in prices between both sides of Lutwyche Road, with prices traditionally better on the western side,” Mr Macmillan said.

“Some parts of the suburb on the eastern side are low lying areas and don’t capitalise on elevation like the other side, but what we have seen is where those prices were dragging for a long time, those areas have been undervalued and in the last 10 to 15 years, people are really starting to appreciate … that it’s still only 3.5km to the city, there have been huge investments into Albion Village and huge investments about to be made into Albion train station. So, it’s no longer seen as the poor cousin to the nice side.”

On the other side of town, the median house price in Cannon Hill has grown 421 per cent over the past two decades, according to Realestate.com.au.

Aaron and Yavanna Grogan are selling their house in the suburb after renovating for the past two years.

Mr Grogan said they bought in Cannon Hill specifically because they were confident they could flip the home for a profit.

“There’s a significant amount of new development in the area, which obviously pushes the prices up, and I actually really like the character of post-war homes and there are still quite a lot within the Cannon Hill area,” Mr Grogan said.

The couple bought a 1960s post-war home and have turned it into a six-bedroom, three-bathroom, contemporary house, which goes to auction today.

“We plan to hopefully sell this one and move on to something else in the area,” Mr Grogan said.

Aaron and Yavanna Grogan and their son Joseph, 6, at the home they are selling in Cannon Hill, which has seen house price growth of 421 per cent in the past 20 years. Picture: Peter Wallis.

Rachel Fechner of Place Estate Agents Bulimba, who is marketing the property at 56 Delsie Street, said Cannon Hill had changed significantly since she lived there 14 years ago.

“When I came from Melbourne in 2006, there was nothing here,” Ms Fechner said.

“A lot of the older generation have since sold and more families have moved in and development in the area has been quite significant.

“That’s definitely helped, and I also think people who previously weren’t able to afford Hawthorne, Bulimba and Norman Park moved here because it was the next suburb out, yet still within 10km of the CBD.”

Ms Fechner said Cannon Hill was now considered a desirable suburb, was tightly-held and no longer affordable.

“People used to say; ‘Oh God, why would you want to live in Cannon Hill?’” she said.

“Now, I think people have come to the realisation that Cannon Hill is a desirable area for families, with lots of facilities.”

TOP BRISBANE SUBURBS FOR HOUSE PRICE GROWTH OVER 20 YEAR
S

Suburb Median house price June 2000 Median house price June 2020 Growth 

Windsor        $183,000                               $1,082,500    492% 

Bulimba        $240,000                               $1,395,000      481% 

Coorparoo      $185,000                               $1,050,000    468% 

Grange          $206,000                              $1,160,000    463% 

Sandgate        $140,000                              $782,500    459% 

Salisbury      $115,000                                $625,000    443%

New Farm      $295,000                               $1,600,000      442% 

Rocklea         $76,500                                $408,000    433% 

Hawthorne      $265,000                               $1,410,000    432% 

Deagon          $91,000                                $480,000     427% 

Kedron        $144,500                              $760,000    426% 

Murarrie        $123,750                                $645,500    422% 

Cannon Hill    $140,122                               $730,000    421%

Morningside    $165,000                               $845,000   412%

Stafford      $124,000                                $633,000    410% 

Nudgee        $126,500                               $645,000    410% 

Hendra         $223,480                                $1,131,000    406% 

Underwood    $114,000                                $575,000    404% 

Chermside      $116,000                                $585,000    404%

Inala        $69,500                                 $350,000    404% 

(Source: Realestate.com.au)

TOP REGIONAL QLD SUBURBS FOR HOUSE PRICE GROWTH OVER 20 YEARS

Suburb Median house price June 2000 Median house price June 2020 Growth

Palm Beach $167,750 $900,000 437%

Warana $140,000 $740,000 429%

Buddina $170,000 $855,000 403%

Miami $165,000 $828,500 402%

Noosa Heads $231,500 $1,142,500 394%

Burleigh Heads $186,000 $910,000 389%

Sunshine Beach $315,000 $1,540,000 389%

Sunrise Beach $183,000 $890,000 386%

Noosaville $205,000 $995,000 385%

Mooloolaba $189,000 $905,000 379%

Minyama $250,000 $1,187,500 375%

East Toowoomba $119,000 $565,000 375%

Tugun $161,400 $760,000 371%

Yaroomba $165,000 $775,000 370%

Broadbeach Waters $260,000 $1,217,500 368%

Wurtulla $140,000 $649,400 364%

Doonan $197,500 $915,000 363%

Worongary $163,500 $752,500 360%

Golden Beach $138,000 $635,000 360%

Jacobs Well $121,500 $556,000 358%

(Source: Realestate.com.au)

The post Made a motza: The suburbs where house prices have jumped an amazing 400pc in 20yrs appeared first on realestate.com.au.

NSW EDUCATION Australian Institute of Architects Awards 2020 Finalist Penrith Public School by PTW Architects in association with McIntosh & Phelps. Picture: Murray Fredericks

Rachel Neeson has fond memories of her school days at Bethlehem College in Ashfield in the 1980s. She loved the staff and the students. But the buildings? Not so much.

So when her architectural firm, the award-winning Neeson Murcutt + Neille were tasked with the job of designing a space fit for 21st century learning on a 19th century site, she was delighted.

“It was great to be involved,” Ms Neeson said.

“The culture of the school hasn’t changed.

“It was a very open and honest school – the kind of place where, if the girls did graffiti, they’d sign their names to it.”

Australian Institute of Architects Awards 2020 Commendation for Educational Architecture, Bethlehem College Ashfield by Neeson Murcutt + Neille. Picture: Brett Boardman

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Bethlehem College received a commendation in the Education category at the recent Australian Institute of Architects Awards. It is one of a growing number of schools responding to overcrowding and changing teaching styles through design to create more efficient and more flexible spaces.

Bethlehem College Ashfield. Picture: Brett Boardman

Homebush West Public School, Bardia Public School and Penrith Public School were also finalists.

The NSW State Government says it has invested $1.3 billion to upgrade and build new state schools in 2020, the largest investment in public education in the history of the state.

The privately run new senior school building at MLC Burwood designed by BVN Architects took out the top award in its category, the William E Kemp Award for Educational Architecture.

MLC Burwood Senior School by BVN, Picture: Ben Guthrie

It was designed over five levels to include 21 new classrooms, eight science labs and a series of breakout rooms.

Architect Phillip Rossington from BVN, whose firm is also behind the award-winning Marrickville Library, said the needs of senior students are unique.

MLC Burwood Senior School by BVN. Picture: Ben Guthrie

“The students said they wanted to be treated like a mature person and they didn’t think that the building allowed for that,” he said. “You have to offer flexibility. In the past education buildings were so rigid in their interpretation of the spaces required and did not allow spaces to be used differently.”

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The senior school building also provides tea rooms designed by be used by students and staff to foster opportunities for casual meetings between the two groups.

“There are also individual meeting rooms and a lot of smaller rooms for the students to go into a separate room for a project,” he said.

The work, estimated to cost about $36 million, is part of a masterplan and designed for change as teaching styles evolve.

Australian Institute of Architects Awards 2020 Finalist Bardia Public School by TKD Architects Picture: Tom Ferguson

“Making the spaces and furnishings flexible ensures that all the spaces are being used so that the occupancy rate rises 90 per cent rather than 70 per cent most of the time,” Mr Rossington said.

Principal of Bethlehem College, Paula Bounds, said prior to the work commencing, the school which caters for 600 high school students was plagued by circulation problems and lacklustre teaching spaces that were stuffy and dark.

”Getting around the school was really challenging — there were fire doors everywhere,” Mrs Bounds said. “The passageways were really narrow and there was no room for lockers. It made it difficult for the students to get where they needed to be on time.”

Australian Institute of Architects Awards 2020 Finalist Homebush West Public School by TKD Architects. Picture: Tom Ferguson

The new three-storey building in the middle of the school site was completed over three years at a cost of $17 million. Through a central ‘spine’ it connects the other buildings on the site to create more classrooms and successful circulation that provides connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

“I wanted to create a physical heart for a school that already had a big heart,” Ms Neeson said.

The post Top marks for new school designs – how architecture is tackling the education revolution appeared first on realestate.com.au.