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Media Release |
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Spring Boosts Outdoor Renovations
Tuesday, 18 October 2011 10:46
The longer daylight hours and warmer weather extends the use of the home for entertainment and relaxation, and is often the catalyst for people to start thinking about creating versatile indoor - outdoor dining areas, according to Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects.
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The rising costs of living are also having an impact with many people looking at more ways to capitalise on the use and the value of their home.
Archicentre South Australian State Manager Edward Lukac said, "In the current economic climate the thought of spending on average of $50,000+ to move, with costs in estate agent fees, advertising and government taxes and charges, has seen thousands of home owners embark on a renovation strategy to improve their existing homes and increase their equity."
"For many people, especially retirees, renovating has become an important way to improve their lifestyle and also boost their retirement assets by increasing the value of the family home."
Mr Lukac said, "One of the most popular and cost effective ways of increasing the liveable areas of the home is to extend out into the back garden by opening up the back wall of the home and creating an indoor - outdoor link."
"It's all about making the outside as comfortable as the inside," Mr Lukac said. "This is done with a combination of landscaping, paving, decking and folding doors, retractable roofing or light wells within an energy-efficient design. A complementary style of flooring creates the illusion of seamlessness."
"The trend is resulting in the Australian back yard receiving a major make over and a return to importance as people move to spend more time in the open and in their gardens."
Mr Lukac said this is also placing more emphasis on housing design fitting into the environment with the blending of landscaping and building becoming an important part of the original design brief. "However, renovating is not without its traps and through the Archicentre design service we see some projects that fail when the renovation turns out to be poorly designed or badly executed." "Smart renovators who spend time and money at the front end of their renovation creating a well designed project that's costed and supervised through construction are the renovators who make money when the property is sold." The most popular renovations for indoor outdoor living include: Decking and Paving "A lot of people still love the timber deck and it's often the most practical solution, however, natural stone products and polished concrete are often used for outdoor paving. "Where a deck is not feasible, a courtyard fills the void," Mr Lukac says. "Courtyards have become important with privacy achieved by screening plants." Pergolas and water features Leafy pergolas provide sun protection and garden character, but a lot of outdoor extensions have been defined by even more elaborate constructions with integrated lighting, fans, speakers and kitchenettes. Pools and water features are also popular including ornamental ponds, lap pools, and plunge pools. Outdoor Kitchens The continuing trend of outdoor kitchens is already a growing demand among Archicentre customers and they are set to become one of the biggest changes. The outdoor kitchen is the step up from the traditional family portable barbeque as entertaining in the outdoor environment takes on a more formal approach of a dinner on some occasions. Health and Relaxation In a busy world and with tightening budgets people are looking to create a signature sanctuary and home where they can sit and rest quietly in natural surroundings. The indoor outdoor zone in a family home is versatile providing both an entertaining area for family and friends and a quiet area for individual relaxation. Maintenance Coming with outdoor living Archicentre architects report a trend to move away from lawn to low maintenance gardens using the paved courtyards, drought resistant plantings that can survive weather extremes and potted plants which can provide colour and be moved around. Media Enquiries:
www.archicentre.com.au
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre - Mobile: 0417 329 201