Category: Residential

Comfort is the best quality a home can have, and as luxury custom home builders, we know that maintaining comfort throughout the seasons can be taxing both financially and unsustainably. That’s why whenever we design a home, we consider passive design — a sustainable and beneficial practice. But what is passive design? Keep reading to find out about the importance of passive design as well as some luxurious green touches that will maximise your comfort and mitigate your bills.

Defining passive design

Put simply, passive design takes into account several factors such as building materials, window placement, room placement and land positioning to leverage the climate to keep your home warm in winter and cool during summer. This lessens the need for active methods like air conditioning (which can make up roughly 40% of energy usage in Australian homes and are costly).

The ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for these active methods and instead take advantage of the sun and cool air to carry the bulk of the load. Efficiently built envelopes are important — as they act as the barriers between the external and internal environment — as well as appropriate insulation.

How does insulation factor into this?

Insulation is one of the most crucial aspects of a passively designed home. There are several different types of insulation available that our luxury custom home builders can install and each type will bring its own benefits to the table. The important specs to look out for, though, are the R-values.

R-values determine the insulation’s thermal resistance; different products will have different ranges, but what you should keep in mind is that the higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation. The primary goal of insulation is essentially the same purpose that fuels passive design; insulation works by slowing the transference of heat — whether that be keeping it inside longer during winter or keeping it outside longer during summer.

Choosing the right position (and being aware of passive design)

As mentioned earlier, the positioning of your home and the placement of the windows play a significant part in passive design; catching the morning sun, for example, can be a real treat during those cold winter mornings which is why north-facing windows are highly sought-after additions in key rooms.

Our luxury custom home builders highly recommend you consider double-glazed windows which will allow the sun’s radiant energy to penetrate but will then ensure that heat is trapped inside your home — leaking out very slowly. Of course, this can present an issue in summer, which is why it is up to the occupants to ensure that windows enduring the full force of the sun’s rays are covered during hot weather. Heavy drapes or thick blinds will be sufficient to circumvent your home from overheating — that way, the other passive aspects of your home can pull their weight.

Solar power

It’s no secret that electricity can be costly, especially when you’re using it in large quantities, but a smart (and sustainable) way to mitigate that is to install solar panels and batteries. Leveraging solar power is a clever and economical option that can actually provide you with an auxiliary income (as any remaining power you do not use will be fed back into the public power grid to be utilised by others in your community if you so choose).

Solar power also means that if you do need to use your air conditioning for a period during extremely hot or cold days, you’ll be using a renewable source. Solar panels should be installed at angles between 10° and 35° on north-facing roofs for the best efficiency across the board — ensuring they can take in the sun’s energy throughout the day. Installing photovoltaic solar panels on your home’s roof with a storage battery is a luxurious and sustainable feature that you will be able to use every day.

Are you looking for luxury custom home builders?

The keys to a passively designed home are all achievable during the initial construction; this is the best time to decide whether or not you would like your future home’s passive energy efficiency taken into account and something the luxury custom home builders at S & B Lamble Builders can help you with.

With over 35 years of experience in the construction sector, our veterans know the ins and outs of residential homes and will offer unique insight and evaluations pre-construction in addition to turning your dream home into a luxurious, high-quality reality.

Give us a call today on (03) 5941 8135 or contact us via our website if you would like to find out more about how we can help with your luxury custom home project.

Our luxury home builders have witnessed a variety of lavish and extravagant backyards that complement newly built custom homes over the last 35 years. Yards have so much potential and the more room you have the larger the scope of possibility becomes. Let’s take a look at five lavish features that really take a custom luxury home to the next level.

1.     Outdoor living space

A highly sought-after luxury feature is an outside living space. There is so much possibility depending on whether you’re after a more casual or formal touch. If you’re having trouble deciding, you can just opt for both if you have the space and combine the two. Some popular elements include complete kitchens, speakers/televisions, couches/lounges, dining sets and even outdoor fireplaces. If done correctly, you’ll rarely have to go inside for anything.

Outdoor living spaces are particularly useful when it comes to entertaining guests. If you’re going for a fully fitted-out option with a kitchen and all then we highly recommend placing it all undercover, which will also shield the furnishings from the elements. Of course, if you have the space, a separate, uncovered living space could come in handy as well but would probably feature fewer amenities.

2.     Swimming pool and spa

A swimming pool with an additional spa is probably the quintessential luxury backyard feature and one that our builders have seen plenty of variations of. Let’s start big — if you’re looking to make an impression and add a splash of next-level luxury to your backyard, then you should build an indoor pool. Indoor pools are essentially accessory buildings made specifically to house a swimming pool and should also have space for changing rooms or even other activity rooms (like an at-home gym or yoga studio, for example).

If you prefer to have a more traditional pool out in the elements, then there’s plenty you can do to make it luxurious and lavish. Adding a spa is definitely one of those features and another one can be attaching some marble water features. If you’re looking for more ideas on how to make your swimming pool more extravagant, you can check out our article dedicated to luxury swimming pool features.

3.     Hedge art

Whether you’re looking to pick up a hobby or are hiring a professional to do it — hedge art is an immaculate addition to your backyard (and even front yard) and allows for your creativity and personal passions to be represented through a unique and gorgeous medium. Whilst larger pieces will require big backyards, you can definitely still feature some smaller pieces if you haven’t quite got the space. Hedge art is also a great conversation starter, however, it will require regular maintenance.

4.     Elevated gazebo

Placing a gazebo in your backyard takes the idea of a pergola and makes it more regal and structured. Depending on the size, you will be able to fill it with a variety of furnishings and the solid rooftop will ensure enjoyment all year round. Making it a centrepiece (both literally and figuratively) is a fantastic design choice and elevating it so it sits a bit higher will add a distinctive depth that you won’t be able to fully appreciate until you’re actually experiencing it.

Our luxury home builders would also recommend a dedicated path leading from your home to the gazebo. The path itself opens up plenty of opportunity for border decorations as well as a roof that will shield your walk to the gazebo during a downpour. The gazebo is the perfect setting for you to do some work, read a book or even enjoy a quiet, outdoor lunch.

5.     Japanese ponds

If you’re looking to add a touch of classic culture to your garden, then Japanese ponds are the way to go. Not only will they add a truly unique aspect to your yard, but they’ll become a tranquil and coveted area ideal for relaxation. You can even purchase some fish to add to the pond for authenticity. Japanese ponds generally have lavish additions such as mini-waterfalls, stepping-stones and lots of shrubbery and native plants.

Are you looking for luxury home builders in Melbourne?

S & B Lamble Builders are experienced luxury home builders that can make your residential dream a reality. We’re passionate about providing the premium service that you would expect for such high-end construction projects. We’ll work with you and your architect to iron out any kinks and ensure that everything is achievable whilst still remaining true to your vision.

Give us a call on (03) 5941 8135 or fill out our contact form if you would like to chat to with about your dream home.

It’s one of the ultimate dreams for some – to have another home you can go to during the holiday season (or whenever you may choose) and relax or even rent out to others as a secondary source of income. There are a few key elements that truly make a holiday home stand-out and our luxury home builders are going to be covering them in today’s article.

Open-planned living

A holiday home should be as open as possible – small, closed rooms tend to feel restrictive whereas open and interconnected rooms will feel airy and more relaxed. It’s also great for entertaining guests and leaves more room for furnishings. Staples like joint living rooms and kitchens with a large kitchen island bench are essentials – being both practical as well as stylish.

Large windows

Provided you don’t have neighbours that can peak right into your living room – large windows and even skylights are highly recommended because no matter what the weather is like it will always bring a gorgeous mood with it.

If it’s sunny then your living room will be flooded with natural light and if it’s raining it will help to create a cosy ambience that would pair perfectly with a fireplace. Our luxury home builders recommend double-glazed windows, so the outside weather doesn’t creep too much into your internal ecosystem.

Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms

If you’re planning on visiting your holiday home with family friends (or even renting it out when you’re not using it) then having multiple bedrooms and bathrooms is great for ensuring everyone has a comfortable experience.

If this is the case, it’s worth giving the same amount of detail and care to the construction of the other bedrooms as is given to the master bedroom for the ultimate premium experience. This will also allow you to offer a higher price if you’re offering it as a temporary holiday home for others.

Special amenities

Having special amenities in your holiday house – like a billiards or foosball table – is a great way to drive up its value as well as offer endless entertainment for you or your guests. You can insert them into one of the main rooms or request a specially designed room to specifically house such amenities.

This room could be a specific entertainment room with a bar, television, seating and even mood lighting. It essentially would be like a second living room, but one designed more-so with entertainment in mind rather than an all-rounder like living rooms tend to be.

Outdoor living

Generally speaking, holiday homes that tend to be located down the coast have huge potential for stunning outdoor living setups. This could be a simple deck with a barbeque and some basic furnishings – or, you could go a few steps further and create a more detailed outdoor living room with a kitchen, roof, fireplace and even some built-in speakers. Additionally, having a swimming pool will yield heaps of fun if you’re not feeling up to heading down to the beach.

Location

If you’re looking to build your holiday home down by the coast then you’ll be able to enjoy stunning ocean and beach views – this especially rings true for homes that are built on hills where the vertical positioning will give you a geographical advantage. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a different vibe, then a holiday home near a forest will give you a serene and gorgeous ambience – especially when it starts raining.

Additionally, consider nearby amenities such as supermarkets, restaurants/cafes, petrol stations etc. as you don’t want to be travelling too far for your basic necessities. It’s crucial to take the location into account before starting construction.

Low maintenance

Since you probably won’t be spending the majority of your time in your holiday home, it’s best to ensure that it’s low maintenance so you don’t have to worry about cleaning it so often. If you’re going to be renting it to guests over the years, then choosing materials that are easy to clean is key.

For example, white tiles will dirty easily due to their colour, however, because they’re tiles they’ll also be quite easy to clean – so it’s that perfect middle ground of looking stunning but also being easily cleanable for the next set of guests.

Are you looking for luxury home builders?

S & B Lamble Builders are the ultimate luxury home builders in Melbourne and can create your dream holiday home with the utmost care and proficiency. Our experience and impeccable attention to detail allows us to craft the finest luxury homes in Melbourne – so, what are you waiting for?

Give us a call on (03) 5941 8135 or fill out the contact sheet on our website if you’d like to have a chat with us.

Spring is coming to a close and the gorgeous weather we’ve been having recently has gotten our luxury home builders excited for summer. The best way to enjoy summer without worrying about going out is, of course, a swimming pool in your own backyard. At S & B Lamble Builders, we’ve had experience with stunning and luxury swimming pools of all shapes and sizes. If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of luxury elements that can go into a swimming pool, then allow us to focus that gaze onto five of the best that will leave no room for doubt when it comes time to make a decision.

1.     Grand tapestry on the pool floor

Picture it – you’re standing over your pool and see the crystal-clear water that is further emphasised by the magnificent tapestry below it. Our luxury home builders recommend a medium-sized design in the centre that can be complemented by supplemental tiles on the edges of the floor. Alternatively, you can go all out and opt for a single, large design that will cover the whole pool floor. Remember that the colour of the tiles will affect what colour the pool is – so, bright, summery shades like blues, yellows or greens are safe options.

2.     A water feature

Complementing your luxury swimming pool with a water feature or two is a great way to improve its overall vibe. This could be a series of small water fountains spread out around the pool that continuously recycle the water and shoot it upwards in an arc back into the pool. Or, for a more lavish centrepiece – why not consider a mini waterfall a metre or two wide. 

Something like the waterfall can also be adorned extravagantly to match the grand tapestry of your pool’s floor or even independently to make it stand out further. Similarly to a waterfall, you could also design the pool so that the water on one side actually flows off the edge to replicate the effect that the edge of the pool is a waterfall itself.

3.     Spacious patio and practical materials

Regulations state that your swimming pool must be gated for safety reasons. But, the room around your pool can still be used to spread out lounges (banana or otherwise), or even a small table and chairs along with large umbrellas for shade. Even certain plants will give the space a more tropical feel. 

There are several great materials you can use for the flooring surrounding the pool such as specially treated timber (which will look sleek and muted) specifically designed for pool decking and exposed aggregate concrete (which comes in an endless number of design combinations and is slip-resistant).

4.     A spa

Whether it’s integrated or a separate feature a metre or two away, a spa is always favourable as it can be used during the cooler climates as well as the warmer ones. As luxury home builders, we’ve seen our fair share of spas and can safely say that the best-sized ones can fit at least seven or eight people in them – so that’s a good place to start. 

The shape is up to you – both rectangular/square and circle options have their benefits and it really just comes down to personal preference. Having a circular stand-alone or integrated spa at the end of a rectangular pool will look just as good as a rectangular/square spa – as long as you don’t mind the geometrical shift from sharp to round edges.

5.     Pool heating

Whilst it may seem like a subtle feature – a heated pool is extremely useful and one that you’ll be taking advantage of frequently throughout the summer (and other seasons). It will allow you to regulate the temperature so a relaxing and even swimming experience can be enjoyed by all. You can choose from solar, gas or electrical heating systems – all of which have their pros and cons. 

Solar heating is the most environmentally friendly and one of the more efficient methods – becoming even more effective and efficient when used in conjunction with a solar power battery (so you don’t have to rely on the weather being sunny for it to work).

Are you looking for luxury home builders in Melbourne?

S & B Lamble Builders have built a vast number of luxury homes over the last 35 years and can help turn your dream home idea into a reality.

If you’d like to know more about past work and get a feel for our style, then please feel free to view our portfolio. Please give us a call on (03) 5941 8135 or fill out the contact form on our site if you’d like to discuss our services further.