Port Hedland Lifestyle Units
This exciting project will soon be starting construction in Port Hedland in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. A corporate development to help an organisation provide accommodation for employees in a tight housing market, these homes were custom designed to suit the lifestyle, environment and local building methods of the region. It is usually an expensive mistake to ignore local conditions when designing a home. In this case one of the major factors is designing to suit cyclonic conditions so construction is all steel. Design decisions like having carports instead of garages (to avoid very expensive cyclonic grade garage doors) and a gutter-less roof design are typical for north west homes.
The balconies will provide glimpses of the beach at the end of the street, and the appropriately placed and designed windows will help with breeze ways in the upstairs living while complying with privacy overlooking requirements. Four bedrooms, a study, games and a small workshop store completes the package for liveability.
Like most homes in this area the design uses lightweight claddings, predominantly colorbond with Scyon claddings acting as a feature in select areas. This type of construction suits this area because it cools quickly, can be insulated well and is cost effective for the long distance material transportation required (as opposed to the brick construction that is typically found in the south west).
The facade design includes some subtle but effective opposing angles on the carport and the balcony. The wedge shaped balcony includes privacy screens and an attractive glass balustrade. Combined with the blade walls, which are finished in a texture coat, the facade epitomises the the modern coastal aesthetic of the north west.