Capricorn Drive

PROJECT NAME

Capricorn Drive Project

TYPE PROJECT

Accommodation

Independent Living Homes

SECTOR

Accommodation

Accessible Housing

CLIENT

Cootharinga North Queensland

Winner of the 2016 Master Builders Queensland State and Regional Award: Lifestyle Housing for High Care Needs, Disabled and Seniors Award – Purpose Built Detached Dwelling

This award-winning home was once again the product of the Martin Locke Homes-Cootharinga North Queensland partnership.

Martin Locke Homes was chosen to design and build two unique, purpose-built homes, to be constructed to the Platinum level, as outlined in the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines.

LHA’s Livable Housing Design Guidelines outline 16 design elements that contribute to a livable dwelling. All 16 elements are necessary in order to achieve Platinum level accreditation, with this project actually far exceeding the Platinum level requirements due to the client’s needs.

A large corner block was chosen for the project allowing two separate dwellings to be built on the same block but with entries to the two properties from different streets. The project consists of two homes. One home included four bedrooms plus a self-contained staff sleepover dwelling. The other dwelling is a two-bedroom stand-alone self-contained unit.

As well as having their own private entrances, the two homes are connected by a common shade sail over a paved outdoor area where occupants can meet. There is also another shaded pergola complete with a planter box.

As well as the need for millimetre-perfect finish to all doorways and thresholds for a smooth transition between different floor finishes, there was also the same precision required for heights and finishes for all bathroom fixtures and fittings, electrical switching as well as custom joinery to kitchens, laundries to meet very specific needs of the client.

While the project has disabled access features, it does not have the appearance or feel any different to any other typical new-home.

The effort, experience and skill required to deliver a project of this type to stringent Livable Housing Guidelines is an ability Martin Locke Homes is proud to have proven time-and-time again.