Building a home on the waterfront is no ordinary task! Waterfront homes come with unique challenges and opportunities that demand a special set of expertise, creativity and technical execution. Choosing a builder who specialises in waterfront homes will ensure that your home is built with meticulous attention to detail and without any unexpected speed humps along the way.
Here’s why working with a custom builder is essential for the success of your waterfront project.
1. Overcoming Unique Environmental Challenges
As waterfront homes are built so close to the water, there is increased potential for damage to the house due to the enhanced environmental conditions.
- Soil Instability: waterfront homes often have loose or sandy soil, which can impact the stability of the foundation of the home. Specialised engineering such as reinforced foundations may be required.
- Flooding and Erosion Risks: Custom builders are very-well skilled in crafting homes to withstand the natural elements. Making the homes higher, using elevated foundations and erosion control techniques makes a big difference to the quality of your home.
- Weather Exposure: Homes near water often face high humidity and strong winds. Custom builders know how to select materials and finishes that are more resistant to these harsh conditions. For example, at Crown Building and Construction, we use James Hardie cladding for the exterior of the house as it is more resistant to moisture damage.
Case Study: Goroka
We recently finished building a large four-bedroom home along the creek in Wangaratta, which is located in a flood zone. To address the increased risk of flooding and comply with council regulations, we implemented Katana Screw Piles to ensure that the home is elevated enough to avoid flooding.
Discover our ‘Goroka’ project here: www.crownconstructions.com.au/projects/goroka/
2. Maximising Waterfront Potential
The attraction of living on the waterfront is often associated with people’s desire to be connected to nature. A custom builder knows how to design the house to maximise:
- Views: Custom builders are able to design and build your home to maximise the waterfront views. For example: floor to ceiling windows in the master suite.
- Natural Light: It’s best practice to orientate the home to be North-facing. A North-facing home ensures consistent and high quality natural light. For example: large windows in the kitchen, dining and living areas.
- Outdoor Living: Creating functional outdoor spaces like decks, patios, or alfrescos that enhance waterfront living. These features can be strategically incorporated into your home design to ensure that your new home meets your needs and enriches your lifestyle.
Case Study: Woods Lakehouse
Built on the edge of Lake Mulwala, in Yarrawonga, this double-storey dwelling showcases the highest level of quality workmanship. We prioritised energy efficiency and natural light to create a tranquil indoor and outdoor environment for our clients.
Discover our ‘Woods Lakehouse’ project here: www.crownconstructions.com.au/projects/watersedge/
3. Tailoring The Design To Suit Your Vision
Waterfront living is deeply personal, and no two homes are the same. As custom builders, we understand the importance of working with you to bring your dream home to life.
- Two-Storeys: Are inherently more complex due to their structural, design and logistical demands.
- Design & Build: Our construction team is involved in the project throughout the design stage, to ensure all the building elements work together.
- Outdoor Areas: Building a two-storey home near the waterfront means there is more opportunity for top-storey balconies to take in the stunning views.
Case Study: Watersedge
The brief for our ‘Watersedge’ project was to create a home that “feels like a holiday everyday”. This luxury, two-storey project features four bedrooms, three bathrooms and three living spaces, with all the bedrooms located on the top storey.
Discover our ‘Watersedge’ project here: www.crownconstructions.com.au/projects/watersedge/
