Testimonial Story: North Wollongong Project
In our next story, we’re excited to share a remarkable success story from one of our valued clients, Warren and Ken, who live near the ocean in Wollongong. This story showcases the transformative power of Adlington Homes and the exceptional results we deliver.
Client's Journey:
Warren and Ken’s journey with Adlington Homes began with a house built in the early 1940s. The home had undergone a renovation in 1996, but due to its proximity to the ocean, it had degraded rapidly – a common issue for beach homes. When they purchased the property, they were fully aware of the challenges they were taking on. There was known termite damage, 25-30 year old windows, and an outdated floor plan. As Warren put it, “We knew that before we bought it. And so we bought into that risk and we knew we needed to manage it.”
This awareness of the home’s condition and the potential issues they’d face demonstrates the client’s commitment to the property and their vision for its future. They understood that owning a beachside property comes with unique challenges, but they were prepared to take on those challenges to create their dream home.
The house was a prime example of how homes built in that era often don’t stand up to modern living standards, especially in coastal areas. It had an old floor plan that needed updating to suit today’s lifestyle. Most critically, it didn’t take advantage of its beautiful oceanside environment. The house failed to capture the changing light throughout the day or showcase the breathtaking ocean views. While it may have been built appropriately for its time, its generic design meant it was no longer fit for purpose in the modern era.
This awareness of the home’s condition and the potential issues they’d face demonstrates the client’s commitment to the property and their vision for its future. They understood that owning a beachside property comes with unique challenges, but they were prepared to take on those challenges to create their dream home.
The house was a prime example of how homes built in that era often don’t stand up to modern living standards, especially in coastal areas. It had an old floor plan that needed updating to suit today’s lifestyle. Most critically, it didn’t take advantage of its beautiful oceanside environment. The house failed to capture the changing light throughout the day or showcase the breathtaking ocean views. While it may have been built appropriately for its time, its generic design meant it was no longer fit for purpose in the modern era.
Impressive Project:
What started as a modest idea to add a small attic room evolved into a comprehensive transformation. Warren and Ken’s vision expanded as they realised the potential to not just renovate, but to reimagine their home to truly embrace its coastal location while addressing the inherent risks and challenges of the property.
Throughout the build, our team at Adlington Homes, led by Duane, worked closely with Warren and Ken to bring their vision to life. We focused on creating a home that would not only withstand the challenges of coastal living but would also celebrate its unique location while addressing the existing issues.
Throughout the build, our team at Adlington Homes, led by Duane, worked closely with Warren and Ken to bring their vision to life. We focused on creating a home that would not only withstand the challenges of coastal living but would also celebrate its unique location while addressing the existing issues.
Some key improvements included:
- Redesigning the floor plan to maximise ocean views and natural light
- Adding strategically placed windows and skylights to capture the changing daylight
- Creating multiple living and working spaces that take advantage of the coastal environment
- Using durable materials suited to withstand the harsh seaside conditions
- Addressing the termite damage and other structural issues to ensure long-term stability
- Incorporating unique elements like a repurposed telegraph pole and vintage chandeliers to add character while respecting the home's history
Let's Talk Outcomes:
The transformation of their home goes beyond mere aesthetics. It’s now a functional, light-filled space that not only caters to their work-from-home needs and future retirement plans but also fully embraces its oceanside location. The house now captures the beautiful coastal light throughout the day and showcases stunning ocean views from various vantage points, all while being structurally sound and better equipped to handle the coastal environment.
Warren and Ken now have a home that’s not just livable, but truly enhances their daily life. They can enjoy the changing seascape from multiple areas in the house, work from home with inspiring views, and look forward to retiring in a space that will continue to meet their needs for years to come, free from the worries that came with the original structure.
Bottomline:
Warren and Ken’s project exemplifies Adlington Homes’ commitment to excellence in custom home building, particularly in challenging coastal environments and with properties that come with inherent risks. Our ability to blend creativity, functionality, and durability resulted in a home that not only meets but exceeds our clients’ dreams, while effectively managing the risks they knowingly took on when purchasing the property. We’re proud to have turned the client’s evolving vision into a reality, creating a home that’s not just beautiful and livable, but also perfectly suited to its unique coastal location and built to last. This success story reinforces our reputation as a trusted partner in turning housing visions into reality, especially when it comes to updating older homes to meet modern standards of living and environmental considerations, while addressing significant structural and environmental challenges.