Sea Change Tree Change & Building Your Dream Home

SEA CHANGE, TREE CHANGE & BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOME

14/10/2014

Is a tree change or sea change on the cards? When you're dreaming of a change, more often than not a new home is part of that dream. Today Inverloch 3996 sits down with Gil Trease & Carl Talbot from Trease Builders, who have been servicing Inverloch and the surrounding area, building innovative and unique homes for the last 30 years, with over 50 years of combined build experience.

1. Gil & Carl, when did your interest for design and construction begin?

Gil - I was interested in timber and design since childhood and was often distracted at school by the wonderful architecture surrounding me and how it was built.
Carl - When I was about 9 years old, our family had a builder do an extension and renovation at our home and I knew then that was what I wanted to do. Since then my focus has been on design and building.

2. What does the Australian culture look for in good design?

Gil & Carl - Family is the most important part of our lives, so great design can extend that enjoyment with open plan living. Outdoor entertaining areas that cater for family and friends whilst maximising views or increasing privacy, combined with well designed living or sitting areas are key themes that people look for in good design.
Our local building area encompasses Inverloch to Phillip Island and also Venus Bay, Cape Liptrap, Walkerville, Waratah Bay, Sandy Point, Fish Creek and Meeniyan. It's no surprise that most of the homes that we build are used as weekenders and holiday homes and are specifically designed around family, friends and lifestyle.
All of the homes that we build are architecturally designed to suit the needs of each client. Trease Builders works in collaboration with these architects and specialist engineers to include other key features, such as two separate bedroom and bathroom combinations to suit two families. A studio or office which are sometimes separate dwellings from the main residence, separate deck areas to align to the north, east or south that can be used depending on different weather conditions or times of the day. Outdoor showers, storage for marine activities and bicycles, passive solar design and sustainable or recycled materials.

3. What should clients look for in a good builder?

Gil & Carl - Clients look for a builder who can grasp their ideas, understand the constraints and create a home. A great relationship between client, architect and builder is absolutely necessary. Therefore you need to look for a builder who has integrity, is reliable, genuine and has decades of experience in custom designed homes along with testimonials to back it up.
A good builder and architect must understand what their client wants and create a home that encapsulates this right down to the smallest of details. If you could choose one thing that we concentrate on the most, it would be attention to detail. Whether it is in technical aspects of the frame and structural steel or such items as trims, cladding intersection points or flashings - this is what sets us apart from other builders.

4. How can people optimize the design of their home to enjoy the surroundings?

Gil & Carl - Homes are all about lifestyle with a high emphasis on the landscape, views, and orientation to the north etc. These factors will enhance the outcome and if there are no views on offer in a town block situation, the design should focus on privacy and noise reduction, especially if on a busier street. This can be achieved by double glazing, material selection, acoustic insulation and tasteful screening and fencing whilst still be aesthetically pleasing.

5. How important is it to understand the elements when building in the Inverloch region?

Gil & Carl - It is very important to understand where, when and how weather impacts on housing. We have extensive experience in this area, thermal mass is important and describes the ability of the building material to store heat. The basic characteristic of materials with thermal mass is their ability to absorb heat, store it, and at a later time release it.
Adding thermal mass within the insulated building envelope helps reduce the extremes in temperature experienced inside the home, making the average internal temperature more moderate year-round and the home more comfortable to live in. Insulation to walls and ceilings with high R values and double glazing are also critical as are material and colour selections.

6. What changes have you seen over the years when it comes to design and construction of custom design and built homes?

Gil & Carl - I would say the increasing awareness and use of renewable and sustainable materials such as pine framing and trims rather than hardwood and the use of veneer products such as LVL beams, particleboard flooring, plywood and other engineered products. There is a lot of thought in the orientation of homes than ever before to maximise passive solar outcomes.
Orientation is the positioning of a building in relation to seasonal variations in the sun’s path as well as prevailing wind patterns. Good design and orientation can increase the energy efficiency of your home, thus making it more comfortable to live in and cheaper to run.

7. Can you tell us about your recent wins and awards this year?

Gil & Carl - Housing awards depict a number of things, but mainly - good design. Other considerations are the understanding of the desired outcomes, attention to detail and an excellent relationship between client, architect and builder. This year we received a 'Commendation for Residential Architecture' from the 'Australian Institute of Architects.' The winning home was also featured in Edition 96 of Houses Magazine. See below the images on rotation.

PORTFOLIO OF TREASE BULIDERS PROPERITIES

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8. If a client wants to works with you, what is the process?

Gil & Carl - Generally our clients hear about us via word of mouth or we come recommended from architects, they then call us and we have a meeting with them. This is usually on their proposed building site, and it is here we get an overview of their wish list. We then recommend an architect or designer which we think is most suited to the type of build they have in mind.

Alternatively after hearing or reading about us they may have their own architect who then approaches us. We have several meetings with the clients and architects throughout the concept stage of a new build. This requires a lot of preparation to review the site and plans, we use our knowledge to advise on construction methods, materials and design considerations to maximise the end result in the most economical way.

Are you looking to make a sea change, tree change and build your dream home? Trease Builders have the expertise, they specialize in collaborating with specialist architects and engineers, together building dream homes by the sea.

TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot recommend Gil highly enough. Gil was focused on the project from the very first meeting, was extremely flexible in accommodating changes, and very knowledgeable in providing good advice and guidance along the way.”

“Gil managed to our timeframes, and the end result was to the highest standard. It was a real pleasure working in partnership with Gil and I look forward to another project with him in future! He’s definitely a builder you keep for life.”

Menindee Williams – Venus Bay 16th September 2014