When the developers of Eaton Private Estate asked if we’d like to build a display home overlooking the creek and some very nice natural bush, our thoughts immediately turned to the Brookfield Loft and how we could enhance the house to take advantage of these very unique surroundings. We’ve also shown how the house can be enhanced with a brick build-up and an extensive deck to capitalise on this typical bush outlook.

We haven’t really changed the essence of the home, but rather brought forward enhancements from observing the changes our clients were making. The first of those enhancements was the addition of a garage with direct access into the home. As well as an activity room, we have provided a second escape room - an office that can be accessed from the master suite wing. The activity room can also be re-designed as an alternative entry, if access to the home through the living areas isn’t preferable.

We also increased the size of the loft itself, allowing us to build in a cross ventilation louvre window to take the hot air out of the apex. The steel staircase with timber treads and unique internal steel balustrade really sets off the appearance. The nook at the end of the loft also makes a very good library. The second storey deck area was also extended so that the space was big enough for entertaining. The kitchen was the other area that was enhanced, using the design protocols of our association with a celebrity chef.

Probably the most interesting change was when we played around with the structure, using slab on ground, framed external walls, and brick internal walls to 28 courses. This provides extremely good thermal efficiency through the insulated external walls, and the mass of the internal walls. The home is also available in the traditional double brick style or
can be easily framed and placed on poles or stumps.

The external materials and colours show what can be best achieved using Hardie’s Linear Weatherboards - which provide a very authentic weatherboard appearance - and the
use of Colorbond. Of course, the glass in a home such as this provides the panoramic views from the total living area and from the loft space. The bush poles that support the upper floor balcony and the roof cover over it epitomise the style that is so much The Rural Building Company.

As one would expect, the appointments in our homes are first class. Porcelain sanitaryware, semi-frameless shower screens, the down draft exhaust system to the kitchen that ties in with the Westinghouse five burner hot plate and Westinghouse oven with separate grill. Naturally, the home features energy saving components such as AAA-rated plumbing, E-Vents to the roof space and an Edwards Solar gas boosted hot water system.