News Articles & Media Releases

24/07/10
First timers the target for new Indiana
Writer: Maureen Eppen
Publication: The New Homes Guide – The West Australian

Full height windows and a glass sliding door provide seamless links between the main living areas and an alfresco area of the new Indiana display by Homebuyers Centre.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home at Lakelands Estate is suitable for sites with a rear view or to bring the backyard into focus from the open-plan kitchen, family room and dining area.

Sales and marketing manager Jared Stone said the Indiana was designed and priced to cater directly to the first-homebuyer market and combined a desirable layout and features with an affordable price.

“Once again we have hit the nail on the head when it comes to refining what you can do while keeping affordability in mind,” Mr Stone said. “We have been able to keep construction costs down to ensure the home remains as affordable as possible, and the layout is really effective zoned, which is something a lot of people are looking for.”

Mr Stone said incorporating broad, separate entry into the layout was a good alternative to designs in which the front door opened right alongside the lounge area, and the study was well located to easily convert to a third minor bedroom, if required.

High ceilings combine with the extensive windows to enhance the impression of space in the living zone and each area is effectively integrated yet clearly defined.

A long island bench in the kitchen houses the double sink and has a breakfast bar on its outside edge, next to the family room. Stainless-steel appliances are in a parallel row of cabinets, between the fridge recess and pantry.

In the front wing, a boxed opening left of the entry reveals the separate theatre room which has a shallow horizontal window in its outside wall. Its location behind the double carport buffers this space from any street noise, and there is ample room for comfortable seating.

Across the entry, the study has a tall corner window overlooking the front porch, and three vertical openings in its back wall ensure anyone working in the study can hear what is happening in the main living areas and in the bedrooms.

Two minor bedrooms are at the front of the house, opening from a T-shaped hall behind the study.

Each bedroom has a single robe recess with shelf and rail, plus a full-height corner window and a vertical glass panel in a shared boxed bay area that is a feature of the façade.

The bathroom and laundry are also in this part of the house, dividing the minor bedrooms from the main suite, at the opposite end of the hall.

Locating the main suite at the back makes the Indiana a practical design for shift workers, who need to sleep undisturbed by street noise during the day. The sleeping area has a broad window facing the backyard. Twin walk-in robes flank a link to the ensuite, which has a three-door squareform vanity unit, outsized shower and separate toilet.

From the street, the home has attractive contemporary styling with two vertical windows in a boxed pavilion, balanced by the sectional door on the double carport to the left. A shallow porch shades the front door.

“This elevation looks great but it’s not really expensive to recreate – we always try to make an effort to ensure the elevations look really nice while keeping affordability at the top of our agenda,” Mr Stone said.