News Articles & Media Releases

13/02/10
Style Challenge is a Success
Writer: Maureen Eppen
Publication: The New Homes Guide – The West Australian
Section: Display Home, South Yunderup 

Compact cottage design provides proof that bigger is not always better, finds Maureen Eppen.

Full-height windows with modern glazing bars, render walls, shingled roof tiles, subtly decorated gables and a deep porch with optional deck give the front elevation of the Fiesta display, by Homebuyers Centre, street appeal in abundance.

The compact cottage design, on a rear-loaded block at Austin Cove, provides proof that bigger is not always better – offering ample space for first-homebuyer couples, families with small children, or older couples and singles looking to downsize without sacrificing style.

Sales and marketing manager Jared Stone said while there was a limit to what could be achieved in a compact cottage design, the Homebuyers Centre team had developed designs over a number of years that looked great, worked well and could be built at an affordable price – within reach of the builder’s target market. “The Fiesta is the result of years of developing designs suitable for the smaller cottage lots, and we have pretty much got it all just right while making the home as affordable as possible,” he said.

“If you’ve got hundreds of thousands of dollars to put into a home there’s almost no limit to what you can achieve on a compact block.

“When you are trying to build a functional and attractive smaller home that won’t cost a fortune to build there’s a greater challenge involved, and it’s one we’ve succeeded with.

“This home has a very simple floor plan with hallways kept to a minimum to ensure there’s no wasted space, yet all the features our clients are looking for.

“It’s also got a separate lounge or TV room and a very nice, big, open plan living area which looks out to an alfresco area.”

Mr Stone said the home’s front elevation had been designed according to building covenants for Austin Cove, which aimed at creating a sense of community and neighbourhood interaction among its residents.

It included a deep porch accessed from the lounge room, and had been fitted with an optional deck for the display version. The good-sized alfresco area at the back provided a more private alternative for dining and entertaining outdoors.

The main living zone also has plenty of space for getting together with a group of friends or family, topped by a raised ceiling and brightened by broad windows in its outside wall.

At the front of this area, the kitchen is streamlined and practical, with parallel rows of cabinets, ample bench and storage space and stainless-steel cooking appliances, including a compact range hood.

The main suite has a spacious sleeping area, deep walk-in robe behind the backdrop for a bed head and ensuite with outsized shower, two-door vanity with extended squareform benchtop and a separate toilet.

Each minor bedroom has a single robe access with shelf and rail, and the laundry and bathroom divide these rooms, to give occupants plenty of privacy.

A version of this home called the Centro can be built from $133,900.