Creating solutions for a Queensland duplex build

Resi Homes, a top builder in Queensland, successfully built a beautiful duplex on East Point Drive, Mackay Marina. The project demonstrated their expertise in tackling construction challenges and delivering luxurious homes that take full advantage of scenic views and refreshing ocean breezes.

Building Challenges

The client's brief was for a high-end home with upmarket finishes that would take full advantage of the fantastic views and ocean breezes. They wanted a family home that was safe and secure yet architecturally stunning. The build faced several challenges, including:

• Wind, rain, and heat were constant factors, making construction difficult.
• The design of the duplex required careful planning and execution to ensure that the two dwellings were properly separated and that the structural integrity of the overall build was maintained.
• The expansive open areas and cantilevered decks required innovative solutions to achieve the desired effect while meeting building regulations.

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Duplex Build

‍Resi Homes designed a unique duplex-style build that featured two detached dwellings, each with its own title. The design was aimed at capturing the stunning views on offer, as the ocean views were limited by sand dunes. Resi Homes tackled the challenge of limited ocean views by placing the majority of the living and entertainment areas on the second story of the duplex to maximise the stunning views.

‍The result is a large 4-bedroom house with a double lock-up garage and ample laundry space. The bathrooms feature large showers, a freestanding bath, and semi-recessed basins on stone benchtops for the vanities. All bedrooms are on the ground floor, with a landscaped entertaining area and a deck leading to the frameless-glass fenced pool. 

‍The second story features a spacious open-plan living, dining, and lounge room, accented by a designer 2pac kitchen with stone benchtops. This area flows onto a large entertaining balcony with a built-in outdoor kitchen, providing breathtaking 180-degree ocean views. The outdoor kitchen ties into the indoor kitchen using a bifold window and serving platform. 

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‍The Result

“Dayne, you have delivered,” said the client Mary. “We haven’t seen the build in months, so we were a little anxious coming up, but this is fantastic. We are very happy with the build.

“I haven’t stopped smiling since I arrived.”

Resi Homes built detached dwellings in a duplex style, which made the separation a little trickier than average and increased the bracing on each house significantly due to the number of windows and open plan areas in the plan. 

Resi Homes used power trusses instead of standard ply bracing. They opened up areas by using large timber beams and cantilever steel. 

We used a relatively new James Hardie zero alignment wall system to achieve the built-to-boundary wall on the detached dwellings. This product is only 8mm thick, allowing us to maximise the living space and save an estimated 8m² of area. Previously, the width and cavity of brick would have taken up this area.

Resi was able to separate the backyard by using a modular wall-dividing fence that is aesthetically pleasing. It maintains superior noise reduction and insulation properties, which helps with privacy between the two backyard pools. 

Resi Homes accomplished a remarkable feat while building the house in a C3 cyclone-rated zone. They achieved the expansive open areas and cantilevered decks using the latest lightweight cladding products. They made the rear balcony the heart of the house with a large parapet around the roof and two large wing walls levered off each side.

We went with a brick pattern hardwood ceiling with a 10mm shadow line between each hardwood panel, which is one of Resi’s features on the house. “I love the raw elements you get when using natural products such as timber and stone, said Resi Homes director Dayne Rogers.  

“To see the smiles and appreciation from clients make these types of intricate builds 100% worth it,” said Dayne. 

“I’m an ocean lover, so to combine two things I love in life, building houses and being near the ocean, was very enjoyable. It’s hard to have a bad day when looking at million-dollar views.”

Queensland Home Builder

Resi Homes is a Queensland home builder with over 54 years of combined building experience. The company specialises in creating custom homes that meet their clients' specific needs and desires. Resi Homes has earned a reputation for its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

We can provide finance, cost-saving, structural, and flow solutions you might not know. 

This build offers a new perspective by overcoming the size of modern blocks and the perception that a duplex-style build is cramped and only for investment purposes. It allows people to reduce the expenses required to have a large house while enjoying expansive ocean views.

Resi Homes finalised the design, price, and selections with one-half of the client located 10 hours away from the build. They organised extras like inspections for relevant parties and assisted with after-build handover items to make the building process easier when building from a distance.

Contact Resi Homes

If you are looking for a Queensland builder to build your dream home, contact Resi Homes today. The company offers a wide range of services, from design and planning to construction and after-build warranty and maintenance. Resi Homes will work with you to create a home you will love for years.