Arli Custom Case Study
Project Banksia, Albert Park
| House size | 218m² |
| Land size | 185.52m² |
| Site | Knockdown Rebuild |
| Completed | November 2024 |
Nestled within the heritage-lined streets of Albert Park, Project Banksia is a Custom Arli design that embodies a harmonious fusion of past and present.
With a meticulous approach to design, this inner-city residence sits gracefully on a compact block, effortlessly blending modern contemporary elements with traditional features. The home integrates seamlessly into its heritage surroundings while offering restrained elegance and family oriented functionality.
Client vision
“Building on a small site was challenging, but Arli Homes made it work seamlessly.
Ian, the architect, brought our vision to life by pushing boundaries while staying within council guidelines.”
SAM
Our clients, a growing family of four, wanted to create a warm, low-maintenance home that felt lived in and loved. It needed to be functional yet fresh, with a tactile, earthy Australian palette and subtle touches of low-key luxury.
Maximising the potential of a compact urban block, the design had to evolve with their lifestyle and offer everyday comfort with enduring style.
Key priorities included:
- Two distinct living zones, including a retreat space for teenage children
- Generous storage and luxury bathroom spaces
- Off street parking and seamless indoor outdoor entertaining areas
- Abdundant natural light and a strong sense of openness throughout
- A contemporary architectural expression using clean lines, articulated forms, and authentic materials such as face brick and weatherboard
A central consideration was how the home would sit within the heritage-lined streetscape of Albert Park. The facade needed to integrate quietly, offering a respectful presence without appearing bulky. Our final design balanced ambition with restraint, pushing boundaries where it counted, while remaining realistic within planning constraints.
Architectural approach
This residence offers a refined take on low key luxury across two levels. Interiors balance restraint and richness, layered with tactile finishes, raw textures, and earthy tones that echo the Australian landscape.
A quiet sophistication runs throughout, elevated yet unassuming, luxurious without feeling overdone.
A striking facade
Guided by a heritage overlay, the design of the facade thoughtfully integrates weatherboard cladding and face brick to echo the historic charm of the neighbourhood while simultaneously introducing striking contemporary elements.
The ground-floor brick anchors the design, while shadow-lined upper-level weatherboards and carefully crafted angles invite visual intrigue.
Low-key luxury
Inside, the home unfolds as a sanctuary of low-key luxury, enhanced by an earthy Australian palette and tactile finishes.
Natural light streams through expansive glass doors and skylights, ensuring a sense of openness and tranquillity despite the urban setting.
Luxury for less
By prioritising the design phase and through integrated collaboration with our architect, interior designers, engineers and construction team, every detail was carefully considered to align with the client’s vision.
By selecting a strategic combination of high-end and cost-effective materials, we achieved a sophisticated, cohesive result within budget.
“The collaboration between architect and builder at the design stage kept the project cost-effective without compromising on aesthetics.
We previously had a house designed by an architect (without a builder involved during the design stage) and it was a lot more expensive.”
SAM
Materials and finishes
Our team carefully curated materials and engineered the design to deliver a premium build and aesthetic, balanced with functionality and budget. Through Arli’s integrated design and construction process, we were able to:
- Offer cost-effective solutions from the early design stages
- Engineer the design to minimise use of steel, significantly reducing costs without compromising integrity
- Leverage our strong supplier relationships for unique, value-driven outcomes
- Combine premium finishes with practical, cost-effective materials for maximum impact
- Achieve a luxurious feel using Arli’s standard range, enhanced by our buying power
Some of the luxury finishes and key factors including higher costs in this custom project:
Custom steel doors – adding architectural edge and opening up the kitchen and living areas
Fluted glass – for added visual interest, texture and privacy
High-end integrated appliances – premium performance and sleek design
Custom cabinetry – designed for both style and smart storage
Ceiling cladding – to create depth and a refined finish
Fireplace – a central feature adding warmth and ambience
Natural stone – for timeless beauty and material richness
Bronze tapware – subtle metallic warmth with a luxe finish
Italian porcelain tiles – bringing elegance and durability to everyday spaces
Large skylights – flooding interiors with natural light
Customised rangehood – blending functionality with bespoke detailing
Handmade bricks – offering rich texture and charater to the exterior
Challenges and innovative solutions
Design constraints often give rise to the most resolved outcomes. At Project Banksia, the challenges of a heritage overlay and a compact site became opportunities for architectural innovation, refined through Arli’s integrated design and build process.
If your project has stalled in the face of complexity, we can help bring clarity, direction, and momentum.
Compact site
Challenge
Maximising functionality on a compact block of land without compromising spaciousness
Solution
To maximise space, we:
- Incorporated large glass doors and skylights to flood the interiors with natural light, creating an open an airy atmosphere
- Created thoughtful landscaping to evoke a sense of tranquility and transform the property into a retreat-like oasis, despite the inner-city location
Cost-saving strategies
Steel optimisation
By leveraging Arli’s integrated design and construction approach, the home was engineered to reduce the use of steel despite the first-floor setbacks and cantilevers.
Only two steel members were used, drastically lowering costs while maintaining structural integrity.
Material selections
Cost savings were also achieved by balancing premium finished with practical, economical materials.
Building on a small site was challenging, but Arli Homes made it work seamlessly.
Ian, the architect, brought our vision to life by pushing design boundaries while staying within council guidelines.
The collaboration between architect and builder at the design stage kept the project cost-effective without compromising on aesthetics. We previously had a house designed by an architect (without a builder involved during design phase) and it was a lot more expensive.
DKO Architecture nailed our interior design brief, creating a light-filled, warm, and cleverly designed home that feels more spacious than it actually is. Despite a few minor bumps during construction, the team’s professionalism and dedication delivered a finished product that exceeded our expectations. We couldn’t be happier!
SAM
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