The Construction Source Australia

Welcome back from your holidays, and welcome to the latest issue of The Construction Source Australia, our first of the year 2022. As always, we’re proud and excited to launch a new year with a new batch of stories of business excellence. To begin the year, we’ve covered a range of homebuilding and property development companies from across the country, many of them award-winning and industry recognised. Gilchrist Homes, for example, recently won a ‘Best Display Home’ prize at the 2021 Master Builders Victoria Awards. We spoke to company founder and third-generation builder Matt Gilchrist about that award-winning quality. We also discussed the company’s speedy growth in recent years, and the values and exacting standards that have powered it. Beyond Build Constructions is similarly acclaimed – at the 2021 Master Builders New South Wales Awards, they won a category for ‘House Alterations & Additions.’ They are also similarly fast-growing – in just a few years they have already met or exceeded all of their founders’ initial goals. We spoke to one of those founders, Jason Economos, who talked us through the company’s rapid evolution and detailed their ambitious new goals moving forward. Then there’s First Avenue Homes – at the 2021 HIA-CSR Victorian Home of the Year Awards, they were a finalist in four categories and a winner in two. We spoke with Director Anthony Karlovic about those nominations and victories. For more on that those stories, and others like them, just keep reading. We hope you enjoyed your holidays, and we look forward to seeing you throughout the rest of 2020. 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,

JANUARY 2022

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 Michael Hinden 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

JANUARY 2022 Industry INNOVATIONS GILCHRIST HOMES Good projects for good people BEYOND BUILD CONSTRUCTIONS Beyond expectations ARCHEWELL CONSTRUCTION Building solutions FIRST AVENUE HOMES Building for the future ALROE CONSTRUCTIONS A one-stop-shop for developers SYMMETRIC HOME That little bit extra Product of the Month The Kights Scanner IN THIS ISSUE JANUARY 2022 GILCHRIST HOMES ARCHEWELL CONSTRUCTION FIRST AVENUE HOMES

JANUARY 2022 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 REALIZETHEGREATEST BENEFITS FROM A STEEL -TO-ALUMINUM CONVERSION .

JANUARY 2022 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

JANUARY 2022 Business World Australia

The Construction Source Australia Business Worl d Australia

Good projects for good people Gilchrist Homes is an Albury-Wodonga-based builder that was founded with the goal of building “beautiful quality homes without compromise.”

JANUARY 2022

Led by Managing Director Matt Gilchrist, a third-generation builder, the company has evolved considerably over their six years in business. Powered by their valued, combined with skill and capability of their team, they have progressed to delivering high-end and environmentally-sustainable homes, as well as a selection of commercial and industrial projects. In all sectors, they are committed to delivering premium quality and producing optimal results for every stakeholder. “As a team, we always want to be proud of what we build,” Matt says, “and when we build a home, we want our customers to be proud to call it home.” From a very young age, Matt has spent a lot of time around the construction industry. Both his grandfather and father were builders when he was growing up, and as a child he spent on a lot of time on job sites. “I was probably always destined to be a builder,” he says. “I don’t know that there was any other real option for me. I’ve always had a passion and love for the industry. I love that you when you finish your dad, you have something you can show for it – something that’s physical and tangible, and 10 years later you can drive past it and it’s still there. That’s very rewarding.” Matt started his own career in the industry as an apprentice THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A “As a team, we always want to be proud of what we build,” Matt says, “and when we build a home, we want our customers to be proud to call it home.”

JANUARY 2022 under his father. Following that experience, he stretched his wings and worked as a supervisor for some high-end commercial builders. Roughly seven years ago, he decided to strike out on his own and form Gilchrist Homes. His sister, an interior architect, joined him a few years in, and the company has grown rapidly ever since. Matt credits that rapid growth to several factors. One factor is the uniqueness of their designs, which are largely driven by his sister. Another factor is their focus on building relationships with every stakeholder. “We’re a relationship-driven company,” Matt explains. “We’re a family company. We consider our team family. We consider our customers family. We want to get to know them really, really well so we can deliver something that’s really unique and specific to them.” Delivering unique homes has always been important to Matt. From the moment he started Gilchrist Homes, his goal was never to build the most houses in the area – it was to build homes with the “highest level of quality, care and integrity,” and homes that “suited the client perfectly.” “Again, what I love about construction is that you can build something, and then you can look back on it and say ‘I did that,’” Matt reiterates. “Building custom has always been fundamental part of that. I’ve never been interested in building standard homes that you could just cut and paste onto different sites. I’ve always wanted to build relationships with customers and build homes that were specific to them. Those are the homes that you can drive past years later and get excited about.” Gilchrist Homes also gets excited about building homes that are environmentally sustainable.Theyarecommitted to ensuring their works are carried out in a safe and responsible manner, and they are passionate about learning how to do that even better. They are always on the lookout

THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A for construction methods that increase efficiency, reduce waste, prevent pollution, and minimize impact on natural and cultural environments. “We have a pretty young team, and we have a passion for learning,” Matt explains. “The group that we have is super excited about energy efficiency and sustainability. We all want to be a part of it. And we’ve developed some really good relationships with customers who share our passion.” Today, Gilchrist Homes’ projects can range in size and value from tiny homes to $2 millionplus estates. When evaluating and selecting jobs, however, Matt says the company looks less at the budget and more at the client and their vision. As an example, Matt cites a recent project for a customer in her late-60s. They are building her first-ever home – a twobedroom, one-bathroom unit that is “tiny” but “super sustainable and superefficient.” “We’ve spent so much time researching the products we’ve used and making sure they’re the least-harmful to the environment,” Matt explains. “We’ve spent so much time researching the optimum performance for a home of this size. That’s all been driven by the client. She has a huge focus on sustainability.” “So for us, that job was a nobrainer,” he says. “We didn’t care about the size; we just wanted to work with the client. She’s a wonderful lady and

she gets along so well with our team.” “It’s all about our connection with the customer,” he adds. “What it comes down to is if it gets our team excited or not.” It’s important to keep the team engaged, Matt explains, because Gilchrist’s team members the best at what they do, and they are not lacking in other opportunities. They don’t have to work for Gilchrist Homes, Matt says. “We have such a highperforming team here. Any of them could get a job with any other business any day of the week, because they’re all so incredibly high calibre.” “The reason they stay here, and the reason they stay passionate about Gilchrist Homes, is because we take on exciting projects for really good people,” Matt continues. “That makes them want to get on site in the morning, because they are excited about what they are doing and they want to get the next bit done. They want to be able to chat with the customer.” JANUARY 2022

In recent years, the success of Gilchrist Homes has been repeatedly recognized by local industry. Last year, specifically, Matt was personally the winner of ‘OutstandingBusinessPerson’ at the Albury Wodonga Business Awards. That award recognises the positive contribution made to business by local business people and professionals. It’s given to those who demonstrate outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas, and to those who provide inspiration to a new generation of upcoming business leaders. At the same awards, Gilchrist Homes as a company was a finalist for ‘Outstanding Small Business.’ That award recognises companies with five-to-20 employees that have achieved significant growth in the previous year. Getting the relationship right THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

JANUARY 2022 According to Matt, the credit for that recognition does not just belong with him, even if it’s his name on the former award. He says the company’s whole team shares in the credit. “The team that we have is exceptional,” Matt says. “What that results in is not just incredibly high quality product, but also an incredibly brilliant experience. That’s what our customers have been responding to. That’s how we’ve grown.” “Our supervisors call our clients every week,” he explains. “They’re organized, they’re invested in the job, they know our client’s kids’ names, they know their dogs’ names – they’re so well-connected that they genuinely want what’s best for them. At every stage, they’re always thinking ‘Is the customer going to be satisfied with this?’” “That’s probably our biggest point of difference,” he says. “We believe we provide superior quality, superior designs, and superior efficiency – but that’s not what it comes down to, it comes down to the relationship we build with our customer. We know that if we can get that relationship right, everything else will flow out of that.” “Our designs are more unique and specific because we know our customers,” he elaborates. “We’ve gotten to know them during the design stage. We’ve learned how they live their lives. We’ve learned what’s important to them.” “And our quality is better because our team cares,” he continues. “They have a connection with the client. They are invested in their lives. They will see something on site site and think ‘Oh, Brenton’s not going to be happy with that, we can’t leave it like that.’ They’ll go the extra mile because of the relationships we have with our customers.” Matt’s praise for his team is not just limited to his direct team members – he also says that he’s close with the majority of his team of subcontractors and suppliers. Some of those relationships, Matt says, date back to the beginning of Gilchrist Homes, with many of their partners having grown alongside them. “When I say we’re a relationship-driven company, I’m also talking about our relationships with our subcontractors,” he says. “They are very important to us. At the end of the day, they’re all an extension of our team.” “We only use highly-skilled, highly-qualified people,” he adds. “Because we want the best – and my theory is that if you want the best product, you have to work with the best materials and the best contractors.”

Moving forward, Gilchrist Homes’ goal is to keep “being the best.” They want to continue working with the best team members and partners, and they want to keep delivering the best quality products. That doesn’t necessarily mean the biggest products, Matt reiterates – though they do have some significant jobs in the works. For example, they have a current project on Rainbird Circuit in Huon Park Estate which features rammed earth, polished concrete, vaulted ceilings, big fireboxes, pizza ovens, and a 22-metre pool, among other luxury features. “That project has evolved a lot since we started working on it, but it’s been a piece of cake for us,” Matt says. “The whole team has been with the customer from so early on in the piece that they know the project Being the best THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

inside-out. There’s nothing the customer can throw at them that they’re not going to be ready for.” That’s an example of a large project, but Gilchrist Homes hasn’t had to ignore their passion for energyefficiency. The clients are big on entertaining and have two daughters, so they needed a lot of space initially – but when the daughters move out, a large portion of the home is designed to be effectively closed off in order to reduce heating, cooling and power costs. That’s also an example of a project with a highly-satisfied client. According to Matt, their brief called for “something unique, something stylish, and something they hadn’t seen before.” “Right from the early onset, they said ‘You nailed it,’” Matt says. “They’ve been really enjoying the process.” That’s the kind of relationship that Gilchrist Homes will continue to strive for as they grow – and the company is still growing, Matt says, but at a measured pace. They currently have significant waiting times for new customers, but they refuse to get bigger just because they can. They will only grow as fast as their team will allow. “We’re welcoming new members of the team, but we’re making sure that they’re the right members,” he says. “We’re making sure that they absorb and embrace the culture here and that they become positive culture-shapers themselves.” “We don’t want to have so many new people that it changes who we are,” he adds. “We want to stay relationship-driven. We don’t ever want to become the biggest company, but we always want to stay the best.” Lastly, Matt says they will be expanding their work in the commercial sector. Currently, they have about a $3 million portfolio of commercial projects on the go, ranging from shop fit-outs to a multimillion dollar sporting complex. In the coming years, they expect to do even more work along those lines. “We have some highly skilled personnel who specialize in that area,” Matt concludes. “We expect to continue to develop that side of the company.” JANUARY 2022

For more on Gilchrist Homes, their capabilities, values, and in-house plans – and to get in touch with Matt and his team – visit http://www.gilchristhomes.com.au/ THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

Beyond expectations

Beyond Build Constructions is an award-winning, Sydney-based custom home building company committed to delivering their clients the quality and customer service they expect and demand. In order to do that, they work closely with a roster of reputable architects, experienced contractors, and skilled tradesmen. Together, they take care of the whole design-and-build process from conceptto-completion, at all times working towards “making the client’s vision become reality,” says Jason Economos, founder and director.

JANUARY 2022

“Our constant goal is to provide clients with their dream home,” Jason explains. “Whether that’s designed by our team, or their own, we want to ensure that the end project is completed beyond their expectations.” Beyond Build was founded in 2017 by Jason and his co-founder, co-owner and co-director Mark McMullen. Both Jason and Mark are carpenters by trade with backgrounds in high-end residential construction. When they teamed up and started their own company, their goals were not all that lofty – they just wanted to get to a point where they would always have three jobs going at once with a site foreman on each. Within 12 months, they had already reached that point, and their vision for the company evolved. Today, Beyond Build Constructions has 22 full-time employees, including six site foremen. They have evolved from doing “decks, pergolas, and bathroom renovations” into multi-million-dollar new builds and developments. Their projects now consist of a mix of high-end renovations and new builds, and they range in value from $500,000 to over $2 million. “We like to do a variety of work,” Jason explains. “We like the challenge of doing different projects. Our goal is not just to target one market.” THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A “Our constant goal is to provide clients with their dream home,” Jason explains. “Whether that’s designed by our team, or their own, we want to ensure that the end project is completed beyond their expectations.”

JANUARY 2022 Whether they are doing a renovation or a new build, however, Jason believes that clients choose Beyond Build for the same reasons. One of the main reasons is their complete service offering, from design through to handover. They don’t have architectural capabilities in-house, but they do work with a stable of trusted architects and designers, and they have an instinct for pairing clients with the designer that they will work best with. “For our clients, we’re generally the first point of contact,” Jason says. “We’ll introduce the client to an architect that’s right for them, and then we’ll be there to hold their hand throughout the whole process, from the design to the development application right up until construction.” “We’re very hands-on,” he adds. “Even before engineers are engaged and plans are finalised, I’m right there with the client. A lot of builders will say ‘Hey, come back to me when you’ve got full approval and we’ll start the pricing process then,’ but that’s not how we do it. We’re there from the beginning, we’re chiming in, we’re making sure the plans suit the budget, and we’re making sure that the client’s expectations are aligned with what they’re going to get.” “A lot of the time, architects can get a little bit carried away and lose sight of the budget,” Jason continues. “Or sometimes, they won’t quite know what something will cost to build, because they’re not builders themselves. So it’s a huge part of our role to make sure that we’re working within the client’s expectations and budget. If something is in the design is unrealistic, we’ll communicate that right away – and not down the line, when the plans are already finished and the client has fallen in lovewith something it turns out they can’t afford.” At the same time, Jason clarifies that their role in the design process is not there to tell their clients ‘no.’ Instead, they will work with the architects and the engineers to come up with tweaks and alternatives that can achieve the client’s

THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A objectives “without blowing up their budget.” “We think that’s where we really come into our own,” Jason says. “That’s where we really shine.” Beyond Build also keeps up the communication throughout the build process. Jason calls communication “a big part of our business model.” “That starts at the top, with me and Mark,” he explains. “We have a site foreman on every job taking care of the build day-to-day, and we have a project manager that looks over everything, but we’re also personally very involved. At any one time, we have seven or eight clients, and we speak to almost all of them at least every other day if not every day.” Being so hands-on also helps with quality control. Mark and Jason not only talk to clients almost every day; they also regularly conduct site visits, so they always have a handle on what’s going on. If they see ever see a finish they wouldn’t accept in their own home, they’ll make sure it’s redone. “We will never say ‘Oh, we could probably get away with it,’” Jason says. “Instead, we’re happy to pull tiles off if the grout lines aren’t lining up.” Jason also credits the quality to the company’s in-house team. Of their 22 direct employees, he says that 21 have backgrounds in carpentry – which is importance, he believes, because “it’s a huge part of understanding of the fundamentals of building and

JANUARY 2022 how a house goes together.” “We self-perform all carpentry,” he explains. “I think that’s a huge part of the quality control on any project.” “We actually self-perform quite a lot,” he adds. “A lot of the time we’re doing our own formwork. We do a lot of our own digging. That gives us a lot of control.” Beyond Build does rely on some subcontractors, however. Jason says on that topic, they have been lucky to find partners that share his and Mark’s values, and who are just as strident about quality as they are. One such is In Control Automation – a “systems integration, consulting, and bespoke building automation solutions” company. They have extensive experience in a wide variety of building industries, including luxury residential, and they work with clients like Beyond Build to provide endto-end solutions that fit the functional requests and budget of their projects. Beyond Build relies on them to stay up-todate on the latest trends and technologies. Another partner that Beyond Build relies on is Tasker Joinery. They also have extensive experience in their field, as their company was founded in Sydney all the way back in 1981. Over the years, they have gained in-depth knowledge of their trade, and they have earned an unrivalled reputation for their professional and reliability. They are now known as one of the city’s premier manufacturers of high quality kitchen, bathroom, home cabinetry and commercial fit outs. According to Jason, Beyond Build has done their best to build strong and lasting relationships with those kinds of partners. “We like to work with the best, and we like to work with them over and over,” he explains. “We like to have the same team moving around from project to project. If possible, we’ll use the same people over and over.”

As an example of the quality that Beyond Build is capable of, Jason points to a large scale renovation of a Victorian terrace the company completed on Watkins Street in Bondi. At the 2021 MBA NSW Awards, that project won the category for ‘House Alterations & Additions $400,001 to $450,000.’ Judges commented that it “showcases high levels of finish throughout,” and they called it “fine work from a very young builder.” Personally, Jason says he is proud of that project because of all the challenges they had to overcome to deliver it. He calls it “about three years in the making.” “First, we had a bit of a battle in council because it was a heritage façade,” he recalls, “so that took a little bit longer than anticipated.” “Then, just before we were Industry recognised THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

JANUARY 2022 about to kick off, COVID hit,” he continues. “So the job almost didn’t happen.” He credits the end-result to the passion that basically every stakeholder had for the project. He says that the client, the architect, and the interior designer were all heavily involved from start-to-finish. “There was a lot of detailing in there,” Jason says. “I think we’re all super proud of what we pulled off. We’re all very excited about the project.” Moving forward, Jason says that Beyond Build’s goal is to continue taking on exciting projects like that one, ideally at a progressively larger scale. He’d also like to see the company grow, and to maybe start doing their own residential developments. “I’m not someone who can sit still,” Jason says. “I’m always looking at the next step. I’m always looking for better ways to do things, for ways to improve.” “I think the next step for me and Mark is to look at the development market,” he concludes. “We’d like to start building for ourselves. That’s definitely our long-term goal. That’s the next big challenge. We already have a few things in the pipeline that we’re really excited about.”

For more on Beyond Build Constructions, their services, their process, and their past projects – and to get in touch with Jason and Mark – visit https://beyondbuildconstructions.com/ THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

Building solutions Archewell Construction is a Sydney-based and family-owned construction, fitout, and refurbishment company. Led by founder and director Justin Stevenson, and director Joel Davie, they are a company powered by innovation and forwardthinking. Using the latest in home building technology, they deliver projects quickly, sustainably, and cost-effectively. Along the way, they take pride in their strong communication, their premium quality workmanship, and the contributions they make to the communities in which they work.

Justin has over 13 years’ experience in the construction industry, having started his careerasacarpenterandjoiner’s apprentice in the city. After completing his apprenticeship and earning his builders license, he formed Archewell roughly four years ago. Since then, the company has grown and evolved considerably – they started doing bathroom and kitchen renovations, they eventually graduated to larger projects, and about a yearand-half-ago they entered the prefabrication space. “I was really interested in prefab,” Justin recalls, “and the more I learned the more passionate I became. As a builder, it is another method of making life so much easier. It’s faster, it’s cleaner, it’s better for the environment, and there are fewer trades to manage on site – there are a lot of positives there. I’m now very much an advocate for prefab.” Joel Davie also has extensive experience in the construction sector, having built his reputation as a project and site management professional working with Tier 1 companies domestically. In recent years, Joel was integral in the delivery of a number of large-scale school, hospital and prison projects valuing over $250 million. Archewell’s initial entry into the prefabrication market was JANUARY 2022 “Archewell’s initial entry into the prefabrication market was a large rollout of specialist disability accommodations (SDAs) – funded by the NDIS, those are dwellings that have accessible features to help residents live more independently and that allow supportive services to be delivered more safely.”

integrawindows.com.au Our vision is to provide builders, architects and homeowners with top energy efficient double glazed windows and doors. As a leading manufacturer of uPVC Double Glazed Window & Door systems Integra Windows meets your need with precision and integrity. Our unique glazing method can easily accommodate special safety glass and acoustical insulation so you can truly create a uPVC window or uPVC door to meet your design requirements. Call our expert team to discuss your next project (02) 8964 7764. Find out more about our maufacturing facility SYDNEY | PRESTONS | CANBERRA THE FUTURE IN HIGH PERFORMANCE UPVC DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS & DOOR SYSTEMS. Integra Windows CS Advert.indd 1 21/12/21 11:59 pm THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

JANUARY 2022

THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A a large rollout of specialist disability accommodation (SDA) – funded by the NDIS and investors, these dwellings have been designed with accessible features to help residents live more independently and allow supportive services to be delivered more safely. Since entering that market, Archewell has constantly been involved in numerous SDA rollouts across the Eastern Seaboard, as well as housing for Aboriginal peoples in New South Wales (NSW). The company now regularly tenders projects valued at $10 millionplus. At the same time, Archewell also remains active in the more traditional residential space. In that sector, they continue to do awide rangeof high-end custom homes and renovations, many of them valued in the in the multimillion-dollar range. According to Justin, clients in both sectors choose Archewell Construction for similar reasons. Mostly, he believes they are attracted to the way they “put clients first.” For example, on the prefab side, he says they invest a lot of time and effort into figuring out how to save their clients’ money. “With our current ‘large’ rollout clients, we’ve assisted heavily with the designs,” Justin explains. “We’ve done numerous workshops in order to figure out how to cut costs and make the designs more appropriate and efficient – but without compromising the quality. I think clients have been really appreciative of that effort.” “We’ve provided practical solutions,” adds Richard Kilian, General Manager. “Our client-based approach is to work with each stakeholder, through genuine co-design, to determine what their needs are, their key motivators, and to address those needs with ‘actual’ and not ‘perceived’ solutions. This speaks to the uniqueness of each client.” “Every client is looking for innovation – it doesn’t matter if they are a government client, a corporate client, or an

JANUARY 2022 everyday homeowner,” Richard says. “They’re looking for best practice. They’re looking for ways to save money, improve quality or to finish their project quicker. Those are the kind of solutions we provide.” Richard came to Archewell with over 20 years experience across the government and business sector – he’s held various executive level roles, and in 2013, he founded a business management consultancy, Benchmark Certified. Notably, Richard has spent most of his career working to support vulnerable, marginalised or ‘at risk’ community groups to address social and economic disadvantage through leadership, empowerment and local capacity building. Archewell Construction also provides extremely attentive customer service. They strive to ensure that every client has a positive experience, and that they walk away at the end of the process happy to recommend them or work with them again. “It is evident that the people we deal with can see that we’re genuine,” Justin says. “Ultimately, we are a business with a goal to grow, but at the end day we take pride in going ‘above and beyond’. We want to finish a project with a client that’s super happy and who would use us again. Maybe that’s cliché, but I think genuinely people understand that about us from day one.” On top of that, Justin believes that clients of all kinds also appreciate the quality that Archewell provides. Again, on every single project – from their high-end custom homes to their SDA dwellings – they strive to achieve a very high specification. As evidence of that effort, he points to the company’s ISO accreditation. This certification not only validates the quality of Archewell’s work, but also the company’s environmental and safety performance. “We went through quite a rigorousprocess tobeapproved for that,” Justin explains. “That took over eight months to earn. It included numerous audits. There were a lot of forms and documents we had to generate. We had to prove we had a system that works – and that’s what we did.”

Since forming just four years ago, Archewell Construction has achieved quick success in both the custom home sector, and perhaps even quicker success in the disability and prefabrication space. Richard credits the company’s rapid growth to the strength of their relationships – and not just their relationships with clients, but also their relationships with their subcontractors, suppliers and vendors. For example, to provide their prefabrication services, Archewell has partnered with Zen Haus Group. They are an Australian-based prefab company that makes all their modules from sustainable timber, recycled and renewable construction materials. They use premium features from double glazing and internal lining through to high-end facades, and they source all their products from top European Beyond just building THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

JANUARY 2022

THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

suppliers. Projects reach a minimum of an 8 NatHERS rating, which is industryleading. On their more traditional custom homes, Archewell also relies on top-quality vendors, though most of their partners are based locally in each jurisdiction of operations. One example is Credence Plumbing – a company founded in Sydney in 2016 with the goal of delivering excellent quality paired with transparent service. Their team is highly experienced in every area of plumbing and capable of meeting all their clients’ requirements, nomatter how large or small the job. Another example is Integra Windows, a Sydney-based specialist in double-glazed windows. Their team has even more experience working with builders and homeowners and ensuring their visions become reality. Their goal is to deliver the most efficient, functional, and aesthetically-pleasing double glazed windows and door systems. Their products are amongst the highest quality in the industry, and as a company they are committed to making regular improvements on safety, security, acoustic and energy performance. Moving forward, Richard says that Archewell’s goal is to continue building relationships with trusted partners like those. He believes those relationships will be key to the company’s continued growth – and the company is growing. In 2020, he estimates they turned over JANUARY 2022

$4.4 million. In 2021, he says their turnover was closer to $40 million. He expects that number to continue ticking up. “Our goal is to keep partnering with government,” he says. “We’ve had a lot of success with the SDA projects and the Aboriginal housing projects. I think the next step is a school infrastructure project or a health project. We have people who work here that have experience in that type of work, so I think we’re well suited to take it on.” Also, as previously mentioned, the company is currently pursuing several high-end multi-unit projects. That’s also a sector they see a lot of potential in, where they believe their prefabricated modules can make a difference. “We still have a lot of room to grow,” he says. “Growth is still very much on our radar.” Lastly, Richard says that as the company grows, they will continue upping their community engagement. Their work on Aboriginal housing is a good start, but they want to go beyond “just building houses.” “This year, we have launched a number of different national strategies looking at how we can support the disability and Indigenous community above andbeyondourhomes,”Richard explains. “We’re partnering with education institutions to get kids into schools and providing pathways to transition into meaningful work, working with the business sector to ensure parents have the skills THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

and confidence to get jobs, and we’re working generally with communities to increase their capacity to become selfdetermining and take control of their own futures, et cetera.” Similarly, Archewell gives back to ‘Culturally and Linguistically Diverse’ communities. “We’re a nation that’s taking on more and more refugees and immigrants,” Richard says. “Thesepeopleplay an important role in our communities and our country’s diversity, so we’re reaching out to those peak organizations that represent their thoughts and views. We want to make sure that they are being listened to and heard and that they are part of all decisionmaking processes.” Archewell is also determined to increase female participation across all disciplines of the construction sector. “We are working with women and advocacy groups to ensure all females have equitable opportunities, feel safe in a male-dominant environment, are supported and can achieve their career aspirations,” Richard says. “Over 20 per cent of our workforce is female and this continues to grow. Our goal is to have parity – we’re striving to have this at 50 per cent in the coming years”. “As part of those strategies, we’ve set quite ambitious annual goals in terms of the support we’re going to provide and the results we aim to achieve,” he says. “That goes beyond our quality builds.” In general, Richard says that giving back is “extremely important” to the whole team at Archewell. “Yes, we’re a construction company and our core business is to build homes and infrastructure, but we’re equally as passionate about making sure people who are less fortunate have opportunities to live healthier, happier more sustainable lives and to reach their full potential.” “We want all Australians to have the support and tools to be successful,” he concludes. “What ‘being successful’ means is up to each individual, but through our commitment and support – we know their chances are increased to get there.” Their call-to-action is simple, Richard says – “partner with us and experience the Archewell Difference!” JANUARY 2022

For more on Archewell Construction, their capabilities, and their past and present projects – and to get in touch with their team today – visit https://www.archewellconstruction.com/ For more on Zen Haus and their prefabrication services, visit https://www.zenhaus.com.au/ THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A

Building for the future First Avenue Homes is a Victoria-based boutique building and construction company that offers a variety of professional services, including re-build projects, custom extensions, luxury homes, and multi-occupancy developments. Infused within the company’s services is pride in open communication with clients and dedication to professionalism during every stage of a project’s development.

JANUARY 2022

First Avenue was founded by current Director Anthony Karlovic, who is a secondgeneration builder. Growing up, Anthony observed his father as a director of a small building company. Anthony would visit building sites as a young child. This exposure eventually led him to get a degree in construction and another degree later in accounting. He returned to Australia after studying abroad and eventually began First Avenue. Anthony’s vision for the company was guided by his experiences while working for Simonds Homes prior to founding his company. “I saw what Simonds did,” says Anthony, “and I thought that there was a market for highervalue work. My intention was to do what Simonds did, but in a luxury market. I wanted to take what I leant from Simonds with systems and structures and model it with a higher quality build. That was the goal.” First Avenue’s return clients and HIA Awards clearly attest to the company’s dedication to quality and communication. Over the years, First Avenue was presented with over 10 HIA Awards, including Kitchen of the Year, House of the Year and Townhouse of the Year awards. The company won two more HIA Awards in 2021 for a spectacular bathroom and a stunning new kitchen. This has THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A “I have a subcontractor that worked for my father thirty years ago, and now they work for me,” says Anthony. “I have known some of these contractors since I was a little boy, but some are new. Having consistent trades and that familiarity is important. It keeps everyone honest and allows us to get the best job.”

JANUARY 2022 made First Avenue Homes one of the most awarded builders in Victoria. These awards are of particular pride to Anthony and his team because they not only point towards and acknowledge hard work, but they also signal towards a quality of work that stands the test of time. The future is of great concern to First Avenue, and part of that concern includes being environmentally conscious. The company spends money each year to ensure that it stays green and limits waste on site through green initiatives. “We are building for the future. We are housing families and children. We are part of the molding for children’s birthday parties, Christmas dinners and other celebrations. We have a big responsibility, and its all about honoring that responsibility. That responsibility towards environment and family is reflected in Anthony’s own family. Anthony’s father has beenaHIAmember for 50 years, and Anthony has continued that tradition by also becoming a member of the HIA before he even formed First Avenue. Aside from awards, First Avenue’s commitment to highquality products and services is made visible through their repeat clients and referrals . “We haven’t spent much time advertising,” says Anthony. “Ninety percent of our work is word of mouth, return clients, or friends of friends.” Anthony attributes the return of clientele and client referrals to the company’s consideration of a client’s needs, the careful attention given to any project, and the team’s testament to their word. First Avenue considers the anxieties clients may have during a build and works to develop trust with clients while addressing any concerns. “If there is a problem, and there always is a problem in the construction business, then we assist clients. We walk

THE CONSTRUC T I ON SOURCE AUSTRAL I A them through any problems. We don’t hold their hand, but we do guide them along the way. The more involved they want to be, the more we allow them to be. We have an online system to help clients monitor the project. That puts their mind at ease, and it allows them to feel safe in our hands. It is important that clients feel their investment in us is worth it,” says Anthony. First Avenue continues to build trust with clients by pairing with exceptional trades who can deliver high-quality services. After seven years of business, First Avenue has established a number of long-standing, collaborative relationships with contractors and subcontractors. In fact, some of those relationships reach back into Anthony’s childhood. “I have a subcontractor that worked for my father thirty years ago, and now they work for me,” says Anthony. “I have known some of these contractors since I was a little boy, but some are new. Having consistent trades and that familiarity is important. It keeps everyone honest and allows us to get the best job.” Anthony notes that the collaboration between the internal team at First Avenue and the external team of subcontractors is the key to achieving the company’s high standard of quality and delivering results that clients expect and deserve.

JANUARY 2022 First Avenue collaborates with Concrete Construction Australia, which is a company specializing in high-end singledwelling slabs and multi-unit development sites. By offering turn-key solutions, Concrete Construction has been able to build a successful and lasting relationship with First Avenue. Relationships like these allow First Avenue to deliver high quality products on time. As a boutique company, First Avenue is currently undertaking about 29 projects. Those projects range in value from $500,000 to $5.6 million in value. Many of the company’s projects are located within or close to Brighton. First Avenue’swork inDeepdene is one of the many jewels in its broad portfolio. The individual homeonBennett Street isoneof the biggest and most luxurious homes it has constructed. The French Provincial style mansion has dark hardwood flooring in herringbone and parquetry throughout all three levels. Marble paneling and countertops in the kitchen highlight the white cabinetry, which is mirrored in the walk-in closet. While the home in Deepdene shows understanding of traditional opulence, First Avenue’s work in Altona shows their understanding of sleek, modern architectural design. The home on Blyth boasts burnished polished concrete flooring and engineered stone. The open-plan design seamlessly transitions from indoor tooutdoor andhighlights the refreshing pool. First Avenue offers renovation

Made with FlippingBook

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTYzNTg=