The Construction Source Australia

Welcome to the latest issue of Construction Source Australia, the magazine that highlights the best of the best in building and building products across the country. In this edition, we’ve taken a look at some of the developers and builders behind some of the country’s most acclaimed projects. MGroup, for example, is anestablished integratedproperty group comprising a number of well-recognised brands in development, construction, maintenance, investment, and real estate services. We talked to them specifically about their Match brand, which delivers high-end, highlyboutique multi-family developments in Western Australia. Specifically, we discussed the ‘M/32 Terrace Homes’ – 23 ultra-modern and spacious terrace homes located at the Shoreline Precinct in North Coogee. We got into the design concept by award-winning architect David Barr, the features and finishes, the visionary neighborhood, and more. Ignite Projects, meanwhile, is the developer behind some of the most luxurious properties on the Gold Coast. We caught up with founder and Managing Director Josh Foote, who walked us through all their projects so far. In particular, we covered ‘The Monaco,’ which comprises an exclusive collection of palatial full-floor and halffloor luxury villas, and which was designed by acclaimed Brisbane architecture firm Rothelowman. This edition also features Lifespaces Group – they’re not a developer, but they also work with industry-leading, award-winning architects. Working with those partners, they create series of limited-edition luxury homes, and they only build up to 10 of each design to maintain exclusivity. This approach allows them to provide clients with fixed costs and fixed timeframes, while still giving them access to the highest calibre of architecture on the market. We talked to owner and founding director Grant Downie about the origins of that unique model and about how well it has been received by customers. We have other stories too, on more innovative and barraising developers and builders. For more, just keep reading. All the best, The Editorial Team We will keep adding business units that enhance our offering and separate us from our competition. “ ” Editor From The Dear Reader,

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The Construction Source Australia Group Publisher Jermaine Poulsen General Manager Alexandra Box Operations Manager Josh Stewart-Boyd Production Manager Vicki Lee Head of Editorial Content Allen Bishop Editor Zach Janes Graphics Design Pranim Thapa With over 58,000 senior executive readers, The Construction Source Australia is proud to offer an attractive platform to share your message with the people that matter most - your customers. Whether your objective is to promote a new product, to attract financial investment or to build brand recognition, we stand ready to help. To find out more about being featured in TCS Australia, please contact our Group Publisher Jermaine Poulsen e: info@theconstructionsource.com.au The Construction Source Australia Suite 11.01, Level 11, 175 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia info@theconstructionsource.com.au ABN: 42 976 059 923

October 2021 Industry INNOVATIONS MATCH Pairing Style with Quality and Responsibility Ignite Projects The Best Locations, The Best Products Lifespaces Group Building Certainity Strength Group One-of-a-Kind Design and Service Raymond Vincent Homes Trademark Skills, Superior Homes Lux Building Honesty, Reliability, Excellence Product of the Month The Kights Scanner IN THIS ISSUE OCTOBER 2021 Raymond Vincent Homes Strength Group Lifespaces Group

October 2021 Aluminum expected to accelerate worldwide adoption of electric and self-driving vehicles Material takes on an ever-widening role in tomorrow’s vehicles For more than a decade, concerns about fuel efficiency have been encouraging OEMS to replace steel with aluminum on vehicle bodies, doors, trunks, hoods, bumpers, crash boxes, brakes, cables and wheels. With the advent of electric and autonomous vehicles, OEMs worldwide are discovering new uses for aluminum. The need for battery casings and heat exchangers in electric vehicles, combined with autonomous vehicles’ demands for high visibility and structural integrity, is expected to exponentially increase the use of sheet aluminum in tomorrow’s cars, trucks and buses. Supporting the transition to battery-powered vehicles Four major design challenges confront OEMs in their transition to electric vehicles. Extending vehicle range Improving battery and passenger safety Increasing passenger comfort Optimizing cooling systems for lithium-ion batteries The substitution of sheet aluminum for steel helps resolve OEM concerns. Industry INNOVATIONS

The Construction Source Australia The lighter the vehicle, the longer its range. According to Ducker Worldwide, aluminum is expected to contribute more than half of the anticipated vehicle mass reduction demanded by electric vehicles (EVs) to extend range. Ducker reports that in North America alone, aluminum content in EVs will increase to nearly 565 pounds (256 kilgrams) per vehicle by 2028. The larger the vehicle, the heavier the battery and casing required to optimize the EV’s range. It is the larger EVs, i.e., sedans, SUVs, taxis, trucks and buses, that will realize the greatest benefits from a steel-to-aluminum conversion. In the U.S., a vehicle’s gross weight determines which class of commercial driver’s license (CDL) will be required. Without lightweighting, some EVs could demand a higher-class license or additional endorsements due to the added weight of the battery. In older European cities like Brussels or London, some bridges and tunnels only allow vehicles up to 3.5 tons in weight, a target that is very difficult to meet for larger EVs without lightweighting. For heavier material transport EVs such as trucks, weight reduction enables an increased payload, providing a significant monetary benefit. Generally, the larger the vehicle, the higher the payback. Particularly relevant for larger human transport EVs such as buses and taxis, the weight reduction made possible through aluminum provides the added benefit of reduced CO2 emissions and improved air quality, of value not only to vehicle operators, but to the communities they serve. The thermal and anti-corrosion properties of aluminum make it ideal for battery frames. Sea-water resistant, highly formable, highly surfaced aluminum alloys provide the strength necessary to pass side-impact crashworthiness testing, protecting passengers and the battery should impact occur. Casing floor plates made out of aluminum are not only strong, but also capable of resisting corrosion related to weather exposure. These characteristics enable aluminum battery casings to resist weather-related deterioration and impact from road debris, minimizing the risk of related fires and further securing passenger safety. Optimizing battery and human safety Extending range Dispersing heat The batteries used in EVs produce energy while charging and decharging, requiring the use of heat exchangers to dissipate heat. But the types of heat exchangers used in vehicle air conditioning systems are inadequate to meet this new challenge. Aluminum clad brazing (which connects multiple layers of aluminum together to disperse heat) requires heating in a controlled atmosphere (e.g., a vacuum) to achieve optimum joining. Aluminum heat exchangers designed specifically to meet the challenges presented by electric vehicles can use as many as five types of aluminum sandwiched together, with the layers providing gradient properties to optimize cooling. These specialized processes and materials address OEM concerns, ensuring adequate dissipation of the heat generated by battery-powered vehicles. An experienced aluminum processing partner can help OEMs specify the right process and alloys to meet specific vehicle temperature thresholds, ideally working side by side with OEM engineers early in the design process to maximize the performance of electric vehicles. IT IS THE LARGER EVS, I.E, SEDANS, SUVS, TAXIS, TRUCKS AND BUSES, THAT WILL REALIZE THE GREATEST BENEFITS FROM A STEEL -TO-ALUMINUM CONVERSION .

October 2021 The luxury sedan market will likely be the first to transition to self-driving electric vehicles. Passenger comfort and safety, and an expansive view of the surrounding environment, are expected to be top priorities for this market. The hefty B pillars used in conventional vehicles to meet structural requirements for crashworthiness are undesirable in a self-driving scenario. To enable large windows and an unobstructed view without sacrificing passenger safety, lightweight aluminum will be the strong material of choice. Supporting the eventual transition to autonomous vehicles In addition to the design challenges presented by EVs, society’s demand for sustainable solutions will likely continue to be a driver in the transition to aluminum-lightweighted vehicles. A Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrwesen mbH Aachen (fka) study, using a Volkswagen Golf as its reference vehicle, determined that an electric aluminum-based vehicle could meet the same safety standards as its steelbased equivalent, while emitting 1.5 tons less greenhouse gases over its lifecycle, taking into consideration production, a total driving distance of more than 93,000 miles (150,000 kilometers) and eventual recycling. Ongoing environmental concerns Conclusion Aluminum alloys are ideally suited to the design challenges presented by electric and autonomous vehicles. By aligning with aluminum partners deeply experienced in developing processes and alloys to meet demanding performance requirements, transportation vehicle OEMs are accelerating the pace of EV and self-driving vehicle adoption throughout North America. .

The Construction Source Australia

October 2021 Busin ss World Australia

The Construction Source Australia Business Worl d Australia

Pairing Style with Quality and Responsibility MATCH

Founded in 2001, Match is a boutique developer situated in Western Australia dedicated to matching design and space with urban lifestyles. Aside from building unique developments, Match has also preserved and converted heritage sites. Match delivers award-winning work and continues to offer unique designs that shape new, urban landscapes.

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A great architectural feat highlighted in the Match portfolio is the M/32 Terrace Homes, which rest on the Shoreline Precinct in North Coogee. Lloyd Clark, Managing Director of Match’s parent company, M/Group, discusses the ideal location of the M/32 Homes. According to Lloyd, M/32 is “situated a few steps from the beach and on the cusp of South Fremantle, Shoreline isamasterplanned coastal community that has been carefully designed to create a diverse family-friendly environment, with expansive parkland, playgrounds and future plans for a coastal plaza to include shopping, cafes and dining.” While Match focused on innercity development and building a reputation in its earlier years, the company began to shift its attention to the Fremantle coastal corridor. They saw the site as a place with great potential, good infrastructure, and excellent growth prospects. Lloyd says, “Match has had significant involvement in Fremantle and its stretch of coastline for almost a decade with many varying projects catering to people from all walks of life. There really is no other place in the world like WA’s coastline, and with the revitalisation that is currently underway in Fremantle and North Coogee we’re very confident it has a bright future.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA “We consistently choose to work with the same architects,” adds Lloyd, “because we see them as partners in business – believing that working with good people on a regular basis achieves a better outcome and a higher quality design.”

Match successfully managed to harness the beauty and potential of the Fremantle Coastline and convert it to the innovative M/32 Terrace Homes. The balconies offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape while the large windows connect the interior and exterior with sunlight. The celebration of coastal living does not stop with the exterior. The interiors of soft whites and mica motion back to the salty ocean and bright sand just beyond the window. “Internally,” notes Lloyd, “colour scheme options are inspired by ‘sand dunes and salt spray’ or ‘sea swells and storms.’ Or, purchasers can simply be the curator of their own space that reflects their personalities as part of the construction process.” Match collaborated with David Barr, Director of Cast Studio, an award-winning architecture firm, to design a concept which celebrated coastal living and peaceful, private spaces for the family. Match and David Barr shared a vision and philosophy regarding the dialogue between a building and its surrounding environment. Lloyd notes, “As an awardwinning architect, David Barr from Cast Studio, is Perthbased and reputed in Western Australia for consistently delivering creative, sustainable and ‘of its place’ work. David is passionate about good design and the value in commencing a project with a narrative that might respond to local character or context, the climate or the brief. With M/32 Terrace Homes by Match, David draws inspiration from one of the world’s most celebrated architectural innovations of our time, adapting the concept to the Australian conditions and way of life.” The accomplishment that is M/32 Terrace Homes reflects the strong and sustained relationships that Match builds with its architects, subcontractors, trades, and clients. By consistently working OCTOBER 2021

with reliable individuals who share the same standard for quality and detail, Match has managed to delivery quality work that client’s expect. “We consistently choose to work with the same architects,” adds Lloyd, “because we see them as partners in business – believing that working with good people on a regular basis achieves a better outcome and a higher quality design.” Match not only considers the quality of the physical product, but it also takes into account the surrounding environment and the quality of life individuals want to have. By understanding the lifestyle of its clients, Match is able to provide value through convenience and ease of living. Lloyd outlines, “M/32 Terrace Homes offer all the benefits of apartment living but with more space. The homes are low maintenance perfect for a lock-and-leave lifestyle similar to that of an apartment but provide separated living and 3-storeys of space suitable for a family. With the beach as your playground, residents don’t need the maintenance hassle that comes with a traditional backyard.” Match does more than offer homes with high levels of amenities. Itoffersahomewhich accounts for the interactivity between a person and the surrounding environment. They offer a home which matches your lifestyle. It’s matchmaking at its best. “When you purchase into a Match project, you are not THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA

buying into a ‘cookie-cutter’ development. You are buying into a unique proposition and a ‘built-form’ signature of your taste and style. Helping people live in a style that they love, elevates what we do beyond what is expected of a developer,” tells Lloyd. Match was behind the iconic restoration and adaptive reuse of the Dalgety Wool Stores to create what we now know as the Heirloom Warehouse Apartments. Match re-imagined the industrial warehouse as a context for apartments with beautiful brickwork and exposed jarrah beams. Elevation and style are at the heart of Match’s work. When looking at its history, it is clear that Match will continue to evolve and help visualise new landscapes to cater for emerging lifestyles and needs. Match will continue to integrate well-designed and beautiful spaces into thriving and growing communities. “As the apartment market has evolved, so too has Match’s desire to keep meeting the demand of people who want the best out of their lives and their home environments,” Lloyd says. ““We helped to break the mould of apartment living back in the early 2000’s, now we’re looking to bring even more to the table in terms of innovation and style.” From Heirloom to the unique design of M/32 Terrace Homes and everything in between, Match has established a portfolio with a clear vision. “Match works to a proven and distinctive formula that has endured changing market conditions, and delivered highquality, considered residences that have effectively helped alter the perception of higherdensity living. We see design as a delicate balancing act that seeks to address aesthetic, social, heritage, statutory, environmental and amenity aspects,” details Lloyd. This company’s power rests in its name—Match. Match is able to combine environment, lifestyle, design, and quality in order to match a beautiful home with the ideal client in the perfect setting. OCTOBER 2021

THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA For more information about Match, their M/32 Terrace Homes, and their other past and present projects, visit www.itsamatch.com.au

The best locations, the best products

Ignite Projects is a Gold Coast-based property development company seeking to elevate coastal living. Over the past few years, they have focused their attention on three luxury apartments, with 2 of these easily considered extremely high-end – ‘Periscope’ was completed in 2019, ‘Cabana’ is under construction now, and ‘The Monaco’ commenced construction recently. All three buildings are in highly-coveted locations, and they were all conceived to offer residents “remarkable innovation” and “unforgettable quality,” according to Josh Foote, Managing Director.

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“They are all high end, high quality products in high quality locations,” Josh says. “With each of them, our goal has been to push the boundaries and raise the bar in the Gold Coast.” Josh has been working in development for roughly 20 years, both in New Zealand and Australia. Roughly 10 years ago, he moved to the Gold Coast and founded Ignite Projects in collaboration with fellow director Gary Gordon. Initially, they started with a small land subdivision in order to test the waters and get a feel for the local market. That project fully sold out fairly quickly, and Josh and Gary rolled the profits onto their next project, which was a multi-residential apartment in Palm Beach. That first multi-res project – Periscope, on 1265 Gold Coast Highway in Palm Beach – set a high standard that Ignite Projects wanted to exceed with every subsequent endeavour. “Now that we’ve set such high expectations for quality, we believe we have to live up to them,” Josh explains. “But that’s fine with us. We’re getting very good at delivering that quality. We’re getting very good at finding the best locations and selling the best product.” These days, when evaluating an opportunity, Ignite Projects first looks for beachfront property. They want to build projects that THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA “We know that we can’t tell the market what people want,” Josh says. “We have to know the market, and then we have to give people what they expect. Our projects are extremely considered in that respect.”

OCTOBER 2021 are either “on the sand or close to it,” Josh says. Just as importantly, Ignite Projects is looking for opportunities where they can deliver boutique units, but at a larger scale. The Monaco, for example, is 25-storeys tall, and has only 24 apartments. Cabana, meanwhile, has only 30 apartments over nine storeys, all facing directly to the ocean. “We’ve always been boutique, and we want to stay that way,” Josh says. “That’s our niche. We like working with owneroccupiers and with people who prefer a high standard of finish. That’s what we’re really good at delivering.” Each of Ignite’s projects has their own unique points of difference – but what they all have in common, according to Josh, is an “extreme attention to detail.” “That’s something I’m extremely particular about,” he explains. “Every single element of our building is carefully considered by our team during the design phase. We critique everything we do to ensure that it’s practical, that it’s going to look good, and that it can be delivered – because it’s one thing to design something, but if a builder can’t build it, there’s no point.” “I have a construction background,” he adds. “So I have a good understanding of what you can and can’t do. I make sure that what we’re selling is what we’re actually going to deliver.” Josh is also passionate about technology and automation, and that’s something that recent Ignite projects have in common. For example, instead of having a concierge at the door, their buildings incorporated a digital concierge service, which was developed in Melbourne. With that system, which is entirely app-based, residents can perform a wide variety of functions: they can control their CCTV and their air conditioning; they can unlock the doors allow guests in; they can monitor their power

THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA consumption; they can book the building’s steam room; the list goes on. Ignite has also responded to the growing “electric vehicle (EV) charging dilemma,” Josh says. Most buildings in the world won’t have the capacity to charge the future predicted volume of EVs, but Ignite is working on a system that will be able to resolve that challenge. Even if every resident of their building drives an electric car, they want to be able to accommodate them. The company also wants their buildings to stand out in other ways. In fact, Josh says their goal is give every project a “true point of difference.” For example, when they started developing The Monaco, it initially included a 25-storey car elevator, so residents could drive their car right into their apartment. That was the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and earned the project a lot of publicity. With Cabana, meanwhile, the company decided to spread their pool across the beachfront. All the comparable developments were hiding their pools on the back or side of the building, but Josh and his team decided they wanted to create the feel of a “beachfront resort.” “That’s a real luxury,” Josh says. “None of the other products on themarkethavethat.Wewanted to do something different, something unexpected.” At the same time, Ignite Projects also strives to deliver features

that customers do expect. For instance, with the prevalence of lockdowns, almost all buyers want offices in their apartments so they can work from home. Ignite has recognised that need, and they have made sure that every unit they are delivering includes space for residents to work. “We know that we can’t tell the market what people want,” Josh says. “We have to know the market, and then we have to give people what they expect. Our projects are extremely considered in that respect.” Ignite’s projects are also extremely well-built. Again, that starts with Josh personally making sure the designs are functional and buildable. From there, the quality is a result of the high-calibre of the company’s consultants and builders. “We’ve very selective in our partners,” he says. “They have to meet very high standards, and they have to work with us closely and collaboratively. We’ve filtered out a number of partners because they were slow to respond, or they couldn’t meet our standards.” When it comes to builders, in particular, Ignite Projects is adamant about working with companies with strong track records. Building partners have to have already proven their ability to deliver to the quality standard that Ignite expects. They also have to have strong financial backing, considering the value and scale of Ignite’s buildings. On their current projects, Ignite is working with McNab and Hutchinson Builders – two of the few companies on the Gold Coast that meet Ignite’s stringent criteria. Josh says that Ignite’s relationship with both companies is strong, and that both are performing to the company’s high expectations. OCTOBER 2021

Ignite Projects’ latest building is The Monaco, located at 2-4 Macarthur Parade, Main Beach. It comprises an exclusive collection of palatial full-floor and half-floor luxury villas. It was designed by award-winning architects, Rothelowman, and every unit features uninterrupted views of the stunning coastline and The Southport Yacht Club. One of the more unique selling points of The Monaco is how customizable it is. “Every floor of the 25 storeys will be unique. Every single apartment will be unique. Every kitchenwill be entirely different,” Josh explains. “That’s something I have never heard of before in Australia. We decided to do that because the average apartment was valued at near $5 million. At that price point, people expect a level of customization.” “Instead of us telling the buyer what their kitchen had to look like, we’re offering a concierge service and a kitchen designer. Keeping up the quality THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA

The buyer signs the contract, then they sit down with the kitchen designer, they design their own kitchen, and we have it custom built and delivered for them.” The Monaco buyers can also make other significant decisions, Josh explains: “We go through the floor plans with them. Do they want three bedrooms or four? Where do they want their living room? Where should the walls be? We completely customize the unit.” “From the developer’s perspective, that’s very complicated,” he adds. “But the buyers absolutely love it. They have really embraced that. They have become our biggest advocates at sales functions. You couldn’t find happier people. They’re literally getting a custom home in an apartment, which no one else is offering.” The Monaco is now over threequarters sold out. Construction commenced in September. Cabana, meanwhile, sold out in just six weeks – “record time,” according to Josh. Construction is due to be completed, ahead of schedule, by Christmas of next year. Looking ahead, Ignite Projects has no intention on slowing down. They are currently looking at two more sites, one in the south of the Gold Coast and one on the north. Both are unique locations, and Ignite’s plan is to deliver to them similarly high-end and largescale projects as Cabana and The Monaco. “We have a standard that we plan to stick to,” Josh says. “Beachfront buildings with a really high level of finish – that’s our model, and it obviously works. We want to come up fresh ideas and deliver something unique each time, but we don’t want to change up our quality. We want to keep our quality right on the cutting edge.” OCTOBER 2021

THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA For more on Ignite Projects, their past and present developments, their values, and their team – and to follow the company on social media, including Facebook and Instagram – visit https://www.igniteprojects.net.au/

Building certainty

Lifespaces Group is a contemporary builder creating limitededition, luxury homes designed by Australia’s most innovative architects. They work across Geelong, Surfcoast, and the Bellarine Peninsula, and their approach is like no other builder – they commission leading architects to design a signature series of limited edition homes, and then to maintain exclusivity, they only build up to 10 homes of each design. This approach allows them to combine the uniqueness and innovation of a bespoke architectural builder, with the fixed costs and fixed timeframes of a production builder.

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“We give clients really high quality homes, and just as importantly, we give them certainty,” says Grant Downie, owner and founding director. “Clients really enjoy that. They enjoy not having to worry about their budget blowing out or when it’s going to be built.” Grant started Lifespaces Group along with fellow owner and director Simon Babb. Together, the two of them have over 40 years’ experience working in the premium building industry. Over the course of the careers, they have earned extensive experience in every facet of building, and they worked with some of Australia’s most established building groups. In those roles, they were able to recognize where the industry was not meeting the needs of the market. “We used to do a lot of high end projects where an architect would send out the design, three or four builders would tender it, and the winning bidder gets the project,” Grant recalls. “We did that for about 10 years, but we saw that there were somemajor flaws with that process. Clients would get really frustrated. The timeframes and budgets would often blow out. Five years ago, Grant and Simon started Lifespaces Group with the goal of doing things in a way that provided more certainty upfront for clients. “Our business model is we THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A “We give clients really high quality homes, and just as importantly, we give them certainty,” says Grant Downie, owner and founding director. “Clients really enjoy that. They enjoy not having to worry about how much their home is going to cost or when it’s going to be built.”

OC TOBER 2021 invite talented architects to design a series of homes,” Grant explains. “We fully cost those homes up-front, and then we go to market with a unique product that’s fully-designed and documented and ready to go. So clients are able to access these great designs without the uncertainty of a fully custom build.” With Lifespaces Group, compared to the vast majority of custombuilders, “timeframes are a lot more certain” Grant says. Costs are also more certain – the price is given upfront, and it’s guaranteed to be accurate. There’s no chance of that with Lifespaces Group. “We came up with this business model after seeing so much frustration in clients,” Grant says. “They would go through quite a lengthy design process, only to discover the design that they had fallen in love with was coming in at a price that was way above what they could afford. Then they would have to let go of their dream home. We thought that we had to do something to help those people. We wanted to give them that certainty up-front.” Grant and Simon also wanted to give clients premium quality homes designed by industryleading architects. They didn’t want to churn out cookie-cutter homes. They wanted to give every client something special – and they wanted to offer it at a more affordable price point. To achieve that balance, the company decided to build only 10 of each design, before retiring that design forever. “That gives the customer some exclusivity, while also allowing us to achieve some cost efficiencies,” Grant explains. Today, Lifespaces Group’s projects typically range in value from $700,000 to $1.5 million. They are still in the midst of their inaugural release, which was designed by Auhaus Architecture. They initially released five designs – called Scandi House, CourtyardHouse, Double Court House, Bluestone House and Frame House – and

THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A three more designs are set to be released in 2022. When Lifespaces Group first approached Auhaus, the design brief they gave was “actually quite simple.” “When you go to market, you need to go with something that’s going to appeal to a large audience,” Grant says. “You have to give the general populace what they’re after.” In this case, that meant every home needed to have four bedrooms, two living areas, a bathroom ensuite, a separate powder room, and an oversized double garage. “That was the basic accommodation that we wanted to see in each home,” Grant says. “From our research, that’s what we found that people wanted.” In the first series of five house designs, Lifespaces Group also asked Auhaus for three singlestorey designs and two doublestoreys. In the new release, they asked for another single and two more double storey designs. Other than that, Grant says, they were hands-off – they let Auhaus freely express themselves. “When it came to the style, we didn’t giveAuhausanyguidance. We wanted them to have free expression. We went to them because we like what they do, so we didn’t want to dictate to them how the homes should look. We wanted them to be free to come up with something that they themselves liked.”

The response to the Auhaus release has been very positive, Grant says. “The homes not only look good, they are very functional. They make sense. The layouts make sense. The people who are living in these homes absolutely love them. We’ve had incredible feedback.” The response to the Lifespaces Group model has been just as enthusiastic, Grant adds. “Clients have loved the certainty in the timeframes and the certainty in the cost,” he says. “The most common feedback we get is ‘We love how easy the process is.’ Some of the most common stress points in a build come from uncertainty in regards to the budget and the timeframe, and we’ve removed those from the process. That helps clients to relax. It makes the whole process more enjoyable.” OC TOBER 2021

The success of Lifespaces Group, according to Grant, is not just a credit to their model or their architecture – it’s also a credit to their roster of suppliers and subcontractors, who consistently deliver to an extremely high quality standard. “Our suppliers are a big part of what we do,” Grant says. “The materials you choose contribute to the longevity and the functionality of the homes you’re building. We make sure that we’re always choosing high quality products.” “We also make sure we choose suppliers who really stand behind their product,” he adds. “That’s a big part of how we select people. Inevitably in the building industry, issues will arise, but weworkwith suppliers who stand by their product and deal with those issues quickly. They are a great support to us.” Thesamegoes for thecompany’s roster of subcontractors and trades – most of those partners have been working with Grant and Simon for 10 to 15 years. “We’ve been building in this area for a long time,” Grant says. “We know who the best people are, and we’ve been using them for over a decade. They have an in-depth understanding of our expectations and how they understand how to reach that level.” “We don’t go after the cheapest contractor, and we don’t jump at the cheapest supplier,” he adds. “We use people who we know consistently produce a good product, consistently produce a good job. That goes a long way to ensuring the home is built to last.” “When I speak to clients three of four years later, and they go ‘I love my house,’ it’s because they’re not having things regularly fail on them,” he says. “The taps are still working. The sliding doors are continuing to slide in a quality way. That’s really important to us, and that’s thanks to our suppliers.” Suppliers and subcontractors THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

Lifespaces Group will release three new house designs by Auhaus Architecture in 2022. Comprising one single storey and two double storey plans, these designs meet different needs, while also staying true to the same accommodation principles of the first designs. “Our designs to date have been flexible, and we expect that to continue”, Grant says. Lifespaces Group affirms that the new designs carry the Auhaus stamp of innovative architectural design along with top quality craftsmanship. In the longer term, Lifespaces Group expects to expand in a careful and considered way. Grant says the company currently has a ‘small boutique family business type of feel,’ where every employee enjoys what they do, and every customer receives personal attention. “We never want to become a really large company where clients become just a number,” Grant says. “It’s important to us that we maintain a size where we know every client very well. We want to provide them a really personal service”. The next steps OC TOBER 2021

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THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A For more on Lifespaces Group, their latest releases, and their suppliers and brand partners – and to get in touch with Grant, Simon and their team – visit https://www.lifespacesgroup.com.au/

One-of-a-Kind Design and Service

Based in Melbourne, Strength Group is a custom luxury home builder and renovator. The company prides itself on an inhouse team of Architects, Engineers and Builders, which allows for efficient communication with its clients and other project stakeholders. In its seven years of business, Strength Group has developed a diverse portfolio with more than one hundred designs and build projects completed.

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The company was first founded in 2014 by Aditya Kuthalam and Mark Rapa. Together, the two are a dynamic duo with a blend of experience in Architecture and Building. Kuthalam, the Managing Director and CoFounder, has over fifteen years of experience in Architecture and Project Management. Rapa, the Construction Director and Co-Founder, has over twenty-five years of experience in construction site supervision. In fact, Rapa started his career in a very hands-on way as a carpenter. By putting their experiences together, Kuthalam and Rapa discovered there was a great need for their combined services and so started their own company. “The reason for our partnership” reflects Kuthalam, “is that we saw that there were many inefficiencies andmany ways we couldn’t progress quickly during the designing and building processes. We partnered up to eliminate problems. Synergy was born from there, and that is how we came up with Strength Group.” In order to make the designing and building processes smoother and more efficient, Strength Group built an inhouse team. The in-house team creates a one point of contact for clients, and it allows its architects and builders to simultaneously collaborate on a project to formulate a realistic outcome within budget. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA “We are doing things that are custom, luxury, and pushing boundaries. People who want something different and exciting come to us. We don’t do the run-ofthe-mill houses” adds Kuthalam.

OCTOBER 2021 Strength Group has added to this synergy by setting up an engineering branch. Such an addition adds more service and benefits to the client. “As of last year, we included an engineering division, and we have a business partner running that. Further to this we also do much of our own trade work and even manufacture items in our factory. The more we do inhouse, then the more efficient we can become. This also leads to greater collaboration and synergy as more parts are added to our in-house team. All this ultimately leads to better outcomes for our clients” adds Kuthalam. One of these better outcomes is transparency for the client and a workflow that is designed to solve problems and implement solutions that fit the client’s needs and expectations. Kuthalam points to in-house work as amajor part of Strength Group’s ability to best estimate costs and adjust the build to a client’s wishes. “Because we got the building arm, we price our jobs accurately prior to finalizing the design concept, so the client has a realistic indication of cost before going too far down the process. They might not have this indication with just an architect. We are able to bring in efficiencies early through the engineering arm in ensuring designs efficient in how they are constructed. Having the design and engineering arms also makes it easy to make changes on site. Basically, in any part of the process, it is easy to be in contact with each other for clarification. Our teams work closely, so the work flows smoothly” outlines Kuthalam. Kuthalam notes that the company prides itself on communication with clients. There are regular contact points and meetings built into the design process. The built-in meetings always keep clients in the know about the project and its status. “They are kept in the loop with everything” adds Kuthalam. “We actually do regular meetings

THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA with clients during thebuild. You are always having touchpoints with clients, so they never feel kept out of the loop. That is one way to build a level of trust and communication.” This smooth, collaborative workflow allows for assurance of quality and luxury products. It is clear from Strength Group’s portfolio that the company tries to remain on the cuttingedge while always maintaining its high standard of quality. Strength Group is assisting clients who want something new, custom, and unique. “We are doing things that are custom, luxury, and pushing boundaries. People who want something different and exciting come to us. We don’t do the run-of-the-mill houses” adds Kuthalam. Strength Group is able to bring new, exciting designs and vision to projects because the team has a such a strong and diverse background. Even the company’s unique utilization of material creates pathways for new designs. Kuthalam explains, “We came from a commercial building background. Coming to the residential space, we came to see it in a fresh light. We asked how we could use the materials in commercial construction and looking at ways we could build residential houses with commercial methods. That was something that we have been passionate about.” The Keysborough Residence is one home that illustrates

Strength Group’s unique perspective on design and material. The minimalist home utilizes concrete brickwork, foam and render, metal cladding, and timber. The interplay of materials is both modern and luxurious. The same level of quality and luxury is also applied to Strength Groups’ renovations. For the renovation in Wheelers Hill, the company managed to transform a retro 70’s interior to a modern one by replacing carpet and tile with timber boards. Rather than plaster, the brick walls remained as a means to contrast black timber frames. When calling upon the quality of Strength Groups’ work, Kuthalam gives credit to the team’s level of quality control and their prescribed processes. “Throughout the design, every point of the design has our senior designer review it, checking it, and approving it” notes Kuthalam. “There are certain touchpoints that we assure are done correctly so that nothing in the future is negatively impacted. We have reviews before moving into the next stage. You also have checks across every stage of the engineering and the build.” Whether it is a new luxury home, a home renovation, a cultural center, a nightclub, or an office, Strength Group will use their inhouse team to make sure every detail is considered and the utmost quality upheld. It is not shocking that Strength Group has loyal customers, trades, suppliers and subcontractors. The quality and success of the company speaks to the number of projects they currently have ongoing. “We’ve got about ten construction jobs and about twenty design jobs going on at any one time. They can be renovations, where you extend out and up sometimes. They could be double-storey OCTOBER 2021

THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA

architectural homes with a basement. Then you’ve got the townhouses and multistorey residences too. Every project is one of a kind. Our biggest one is a five-storey building. You have a couple levels of offices. That is for a private developer” notes Kuthalam. Despite continued success, Kuthalam does not foresee the company growing bigger in the traditional sense any time soon. Instead, he wants the business to grow in different ways. “In terms of Strength Group itself, we don’t necessarily want to grow it any bigger vertically but rather bigger horizontally” adds Kuthalam. “We are opening other arms to the group. We are looking at getting into other trade work, like producing metal frames. We want to explore other avenues and markets within our industry where there are openings for innovation. It will be growing its breadth rather than its depth.” Regardless of how much or where Strength Group grows, it is certain that the company will continue to use its in-house team as its ultimate strength. Strength Group will continue to work as a group to build products that are luxurious and always high quality. “When you are working as a team, we are working for the greater good, which is the client. The architect is working in mind with the engineer, trade, and builder. That is the benefit of bringing everyone together” adds Kuthalam. It will always be the team and teamwork which gives Strength Group its ultimate ability to “Imagine. Design. Create.” OCTOBER 2021

THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA For more information on Strength Group, its team, its projects, or its services, go to--- https://www.strengthgroup.com.au/

Trademark Skills, Superior Homes

Founded in 1973, Raymond Vincent Homes offers custom built homes with superior and award-winning quality. After forty years of business, Raymond Vincent Homes is known for innovative design and attention to detail. Its 2020 HIA NSW Awards are a testament to the company’s close attention to quality

OCTOBER 2021

When looking at the company’s design portfolio, it is clear that Raymond Vincent brings modern and uniquely different homes to families. Director Raymond Vincent describes the specific market for the company’s homes. “We aimed for the market at the upper end of the project home market to the underside of the architect design market” notes Vincent. “We aimed for somewhere in the middle gap. We market as a project company, but we are not a project builder. Our basic specification is more expensive than a project builder.” Many of the company’s homes are priced between $500,000 to a million. In fact, a new display home recently built was priced at $800,000. These prices reflect the detail, design, and quality that Raymond Vincent infuses in every build. Vincent attributes the company’s continued success to its unique vision and ability to offer innovative, modern designs. “We do not like to follow the patterns so much with building designs. Most of our houses are different. We are a bit of standout and have standout houses” notes Vincent. Raymond Vincent homes have notable curved or sloping roofs. It is this curve that helps the THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA “When looking at the company’s design portfolio, it is clear that Raymond Vincent brings modern and uniquely different homes to families. Director Raymond Vincent describes the specific market for the company’s homes.”

company’s homes stand out among others. For instance, their Eloura house design has a particularly modern look. The sloping tiered roofing of the fivebedroom home complements the geometric windows and garage doors. The same visual interest can be said of the Sandon Point Design—a three-storey home with three living rooms on the mid-level. Rather than an intensely curved roof, this home offers a gentle, sloping roof. The large rectangular windows lining the front of the home offer significant mounts of natural light into the rooms while the windows in the back offer a relaxing view of the pool. This curved roofing design is a signature of Raymond Vincent Homes, and it is one that Raymond Vincent points to as a brand signature. “We have a design that is not necessarily the popular design of the time” reflects Vincent. “We were previously the first company to build a display home with a curved roof. We started with a curved ridge, and then we progressed to a house with a fully curved roof. To our knowledge it was groundbreaking. We like to stay ahead of the game.” Raymond Vincent has a background in design, as he did design work when he first started in the industry. It is not surprising, then, that the company prides itself on its innovative design. The company’s designs have even been awarded HIANSWawards. In 2020 alone, the company was a Finalist in the categories of 2020 HIA NSW Region Residential Interior Design award, the Custom-Built Home up to $600,000, and CustomBuilt Home $600,000-$1million. The company credits much of its success and longevity to its customers and teams. In fact, it is the collaboration with customers that often results in a well-designed and unique home. That is why Raymond Vincent is always happy to alter a house plan to suit the unique needs or style of a client. These adjustments can help craft an OCTOBER 2021

THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRAL IA award-winning home with a timeless design. Vincent mentions that collaboration between clients and teams also result in great levels of job satisfaction among employees at the company. “I think it is the job satisfaction. We get the opportunity to put together a custom design. You getachancetodesignsomething that suits the property and the clients’ requirements. There is a lot of satisfaction in what we are doing” adds Vincent. That job satisfaction is matched by the satisfaction and excitement of its clients. Since the company displays show homes in village, many of the homes receive foot traffic. The villages often lead clients to Raymond Vincent Homes. “A lot of our inquiries come from our local reputation. We’ve been building on the south coast for fifty years, although we have been actively marketing our name for thirty. We are well known and have been in the industry. With the display homes we get a lot of traffic which generates a lot of business as well. The way in which Raymond Vincent Homes treats its customers continues to build a positive reputation. That reputation always reflects on the staff which make the company successful. “It comes down to the staff. We do not have a big staff, but everyone that works here goes out of their way to be nice to the customers. We try to give

them everything they ask for. We don’t restrict the number of variations they make after we sign the contract, even if that means undoing work or change the building. We accommodate. We have the philosophy that we are building someone else’s house and we want to give them what they want” notes Vincent. It is this great customer service that has led to a few repeat customers. Vincent notes that the company even built five homes for one customer. For Raymond Vincent Homes quality is not just in the build—it is also in the customer service. That great customer service points towards a great company culture. The staff at Raymond Vincent Homes is small, but many stay with the company until retirement. Long-lasting relationships extend to the tradespeople the company hires as well. “We only use tradesman that we know” outlines Vincent. “We prefer to wait rather than using someone new.” By using known tradespeople and retaining employees, the company is able to offer consistent service and meet shared expectations. When looking at the progress of the company and its future, Raymond Vincent finds no immediate need to grow. In keeping to its current volume and speed, the company can keep its attention on quality service. “I like where we are and have no current plans to change” ponders Vincent. “The cost of materials is going up, our bracket is going to go up. If the houses get much bigger or more expensive, then the houses are going to demand more supervision.” By keeping to what they know best, Raymond Vincent Homes will continue to deliver quality homes with unique designs. After forty years in business, they continue to retain their trademark skills and their clear attention to detail in order to build superior homes. OCTOBER 2021

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