Design Overview
Merealba House is a contemporary custom home in Teralba, Lake Macquarie, designed for a property developer looking for an alternative to a standard project home. The design needed to balance architectural appeal, practical family living and construction costs while addressing a sloping block, BAL-29 bushfire requirements and mine subsidence.
DA & CC Approval - Lake Macquarie City Council
More About This Project
The Brief
Contemporary Custom Home Design on a Challenging Teralba Site
Merealba House involved designing a contemporary two-storey home for a property developer in Teralba, near Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
The client wanted a home that would appeal to first and second-home buyers, offering the practicality and affordability of a project home but with a more individual architectural design.
The brief called for generous family living areas, modern finishes, good natural light and a distinctive street appearance, without unnecessarily increasing construction costs.
The property also presented several challenges. The land was sloping, located in a BAL-29 bushfire area and affected by mine subsidence requirements.
We needed to address these issues while creating a home that looked and felt more individual than a typical project home.
The Design Response
Designing a Custom Home That Stands Apart from Project Homes
Rather than starting with a standard project home layout, we developed a design specifically for the property and its intended market.
We used contemporary architectural forms, contrasting exterior materials and carefully considered rooflines to give the home its own character.
The aim was to achieve a strong street presence while keeping the design practical and suitable for the client's construction budget.
Working With a Sloping Block and Mine Subsidence Requirements
The site's natural slope influenced how we positioned the home and developed the floor levels.
We considered the ground conditions and mine subsidence requirements during the design process, coordinating the necessary specialist advice to help ensure the home could be constructed appropriately.
These constraints needed to be addressed without allowing them to dominate the appearance or everyday function of the finished residence.
Incorporating BAL-29 Bushfire Requirements
The property was also subject to BAL-29 bushfire construction requirements.
We considered these requirements when developing the external design, particularly the selection of building materials and the treatment of windows and other exposed elements.
This allowed us to maintain the contemporary architectural appearance while addressing the property's bushfire classification.
Creating Light-Filled Living Spaces and Outdoor Connections
Inside, we designed generous open-plan kitchen, dining and family areas with large windows that bring natural light into the home.
The layout provides comfortable family living, with additional spaces for relaxing and entertaining.
Covered outdoor areas, an upper-level balcony and landscaped gardens help connect the home to its surroundings and take advantage of the property's outlook.
The result is a practical modern home with the character and detailing of an individually designed residence.
Project Outcome
DA Approval Custom Home in Teralba, Lake Macquarie Council
DA and CC approval was achieved through Lake Macquarie Council and Merealba House was completed in 2024, delivering a contemporary family home that offered a more individual alternative to a standard project home.
The completed residence provides generous living spaces, modern interiors, outdoor entertaining and a distinctive architectural appearance.
The design successfully brought together the client's commercial requirements with the challenges of a sloping site, mine subsidence and BAL-29 bushfire construction.
Merealba House demonstrates how a custom design can add character and appeal to a residential development while remaining practical to build.
A Long-Standing Client Relationship
Merealba House also forms part of a long-standing relationship with a returning client who has engaged Distinct Innovations for several custom home projects across the Lake Macquarie region.
Other projects include Valentine House and Dilkera House, each developed around different design requirements and site conditions.
Working together over multiple projects has allowed us to build a strong understanding of the client's preferences, investment objectives and expectations for each new home.
Project Gallery Click Image to Enlarge
