Are you dreaming about building your dream home in a picturesque regional area like the Yarra Valley? Located amid this stunning area, Cobalt Constructions are experts at combining nature’s best assets with the finest in custom home building. The result is an oasis that is uniquely yours and harmonious with the surrounding beauty.
How do professional custom home builders accomplish this?
Let’s look at all the factors the Cobalt Construction team considers.
Site Analysis
The signature planning begins with a thorough site analysis, an essential first step in designing any bespoke home but more significant for passive and eco homes. The site analysis will help the architect and builders understand the terrain’s unique features and how they can be optimised into the design.
Here’s what we need to consider:
Climate
Yarra Valley is temperate, with warm summers and chilly winters, which influences the design of the home’s passive solar features, such as north-facing windows and overhangs, the choice of materials (e.g. roofing colour to waterproofing requirements), and the types of wall, roof and floor insulation to be used.
Topography
Known for its rolling hills, the Yarra Valley has advantages for passive solar design, allowing your dream home to capture the sun’s rays in winter and protect you from them in the summer. One challenge in this, however, is finding level land for construction that can accommodate the perfect position.
Vegetation
Native plants of many kinds flourish in the Yarra Valley landscape. We aim to integrate this into the home’s design so it’s shaded in summer, blocks the wind or provides seclusion where needed.
Views
Who needs wall art when you can capture the stunning surrounding hills and valleys? The site analysis will help identify the best perspectives from the site and how we can exploit them in the home’s design.
Thoughtful design integrations
Careful incorporation of many design components makes a passive and eco-home beautiful and long-lasting. We think about every detail, from the type of wood to use to where each door and window will go. The options are endless and include:
- Passive solar design to heat and cool the home naturally, such as orienting the house to invite sun’s rays in the winter while shading it in the summer.
- Natural ventilation where window and door placement allows their opening to create cross-breezes.
- Intelligent lighting control, comfort solutions and security options.
- Offering energy-efficient materials and appliances for the home, thermal insulation, high-performance windows, and energy-rated appliances.
- Planting trees and shrubs around the home to maximise privacy, shade in summer and water efficiency.
Another must for any custom home in Yarra Valley is outdoor living spaces like patios, decks, and balconies are included for you to entertain family and friends or sit back, relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Eco-friendly and luxurious materials
To unite the internal and external worlds in your custom home in Yarra Valley, we use large windows and doors to connect them both and choose materials that blur the lines between the natural landscape and home interior, such as wood, stone, bamboo and tile.
Using recycled, innocuous and low-impact materials like these in all our dream home construction is a requisite that brings a natural sophistication to the home. While looking great and being sustainably harvested, they also contribute to better indoor air quality.
Marble is an elegant, low-tox material that adds more than a touch of luxury to any kitchen or bathroom and is durable and easy to clean.
Hardwood floors add warmth and character to any home, reduce dust and air pollutants and can be refinished over time to keep them looking their best. Deluxe, sustainably sourced cabinetry to fit any space and style will make your home look like no other.
Other aspects to consider:
- The timeless sophistication of stained glass windows can be customised to complement the home’s character or be used to create a private space.
- Soaking tubs and steam showers for a therapeutic, spa-like experience every day.
- Walking barefoot comfortably throughout winter thanks to heated floors throughout.
Making dream homes a reality
Are you ready to stop dreaming and start designing your custom home in the Yarra Valley?
Contact the Cobalt Constructions team today, who are happy to discuss your needs and design a beautiful bespoke home that marries nature and cutting edge modern design.