Wonga Park Knockdown Rebuild: A New Home on the Block She Grew Up On
Jude grew up in this house. Her family had called it home for more than 60 years, and she knew every corner of it and every view from its windows.
The original house had served the family well, but it no longer suited the way Jude wanted to live. She didn't want to leave the area she loved or the block she grew up on. So she came to us with a clear idea: knock down the old family home and build a new one on the same ground, designed for her life today.
A view worth building around
The block is special. It sits on a generous parcel of land looking straight out to the Dandenong Ranges, and the whole design was built around that outlook.
The kitchen, living area and alfresco all face the mountains. Every morning starts with a coffee and a view of nothing but nature.
Designed for the way Jude lives
A full-length porch runs across the front of the home, giving it a warm, welcoming presence from the street. Inside, the layout gives Jude room for everything she needs:
Three bedrooms, two with their own ensuites
A large main bathroom
A study with its own skylight
A billiards room
A formal entry
Open-plan living, dining and kitchen, all facing the view
The heart of the home
The kitchen is a beautiful 2-pac shaker design, finished with natural stone benchtops. Two skylights sit directly above the island bench, pouring natural light into the space throughout the day.
Blackbutt timber flooring runs through the entire home. We carried the blackbutt into the billiards room as well, as a shiplap feature wall that gives the room its own warmth and character.
Details that make the difference
The finer details are what set this home apart. Every external bulkhead is wrapped in James Hardie Axon cladding with mitred edges, so the grooves flow unbroken around every corner. It takes time and skill to get right, and it's the kind of finish most people never notice, but they'd notice if it wasn't there.
The home was built to last with as little upkeep as possible. The deck uses composite Ekodeck boards, so Jude can enjoy her outdoor space for years to come without sanding, oiling or maintenance.
Building in a bushfire zone
Wonga Park sits in a bushfire-prone area, so meeting fire safety requirements shaped this build from day one. Working through council and bushfire requirements took patience, and it was a journey Jude and Blair took together.
None of it held the project back. Careful planning and detailed thinking about how every stage would be built meant the home met every requirement without compromising the design Jude wanted.
The result
The build was completed in just over 10 months. The house that stood on this block for more than 60 years has made way for a new one, built on the same land and with the same view, and made for the life Jude wants to live now.
It's a home she can call her own for the rest of her life.
Comments