The checklist for this townhouse was long, but every box has been ticked, no matter how challenging. The site was a tight rear piece of land that threw up a number of significant hurdles. It had a 10-metre riparian setback for a creek, strict height restrictions, limited car manoeuvring space and, to top it all off, a flood-risk designation. Before building could even start, a garage and shed had to be removed and the site stabilised, levelled and 19 piles driven into an 80sqm foundation. The clients, an extended family, had a clear vision for their new home: they wanted a single garage, ground-floor suite for grandparents, three equal-sized bedrooms for the kids and a spacious retreat for the parents.

Craftsmanship and care has resulted in this smart 181sqm, two-storey five-bedroom townhouse. The slick exterior — a combination of low-maintenance brick veneer and timber weatherboard that balances durability with aesthetics — belies the build’s complexity. So, too, the interior, which features clean lines, white walls and a blend of contemporary finishes. The builders needed another important tool in their kits for this project — open communication channels to ensure the clients’ vision was met at every stage. This house is proof that smart design and builder determination can turn challenges into opportunities.