The Brief

For the Walcott Street site in Coolbinia, Novus Projects was engaged to deliver a high-quality residential development while keeping the project commercially sound. The brief was to design and construct four quality townhouses that would feel right at home in the local market, with strong appeal to owner-occupiers, professionals and downsizers looking for low-maintenance living.

We delivered the project to a fixed $2.7M contract value within a clear 22-month timeframe. Keeping the design, build and program aligned from the outset was key.

Design & Materials

We managed the project from start to finish, with a focus on maximising the potential of every square metre. The main challenge as a designer was balancing a higher-density outcome with strict local residential building requirements. Practical planning and a clear design strategy set us up for success within these constraints.

To meet coverage limits while still allowing for secure parking, we opted for a tandem garage layout that gave each residence two car bays without taking away from the living spaces. The north-facing orientation also helped us to create homes that felt bright and inviting.

Rather than finishing all four dwellings the same way, we gave each one its own look and feel. We chose four different colour schemes and varied the kitchen cabinetry layouts across the units to add a bit more individuality, complemented by stone benchtops, premium Smeg appliances, dado-height bathroom tiling and in-house designed landscaping. These touches helped drive the project’s final market value.

Subdivision Process

A big part of keeping the project moving was managing the civil and subdivision work in-house. This gave the client one point of contact across design, construction and the technical process needed to bring the development together.

The site originally comprised two separate allotments. We first combined them into one “superlot”, then completed a survey-strata subdivision to create four individual titles.

Handling this internally kept coordination simple, reduced delays and helped the project move through the stages that can often slow delivery down.

Outcomes

The result was a well-executed, high-quality development delivered on time and within budget. All four homes were completed within the 22-month timeline and stayed within the $2.7M contract value.

The differentiated approach to interiors also resonated strongly with buyers. Once listed, all four homes sold within four weeks, which reflected both the quality of the product and the strength of the overall presentation.

The client expressed satisfaction with how the project came together, especially the way design, construction and subdivision were coordinated from start to finish.