So we have found our block (just over 4000sqm) in the beautiful hills of Bedfordale in the city of Armadale south of Perth. Cost: $309,000. My wife and I are first time builders and essentially have no idea what we are doing. I thought that I would document our triumphs and failures here in the hope that perhaps one day the information could help somebody else.
First we needed to find a builder. I have my heart set on rammed earth, so a specialist rammed earth builder seemed the logical choice. Initial meetings with the builder have been great and being a small operator he will allow us to manage and contract out as much or as little of the project as we like. This works well for us as we are on a very tight budget and simply cannot afford to hand over a large sum of money to have it all taken care of by a big name builder.
In my second meeting with the builder the designer was also present. The designer is fresh out of university with a full degree with honours in architecture and just so happens to be the builders son! I have a really good feeling about the combination of a young, creative and enthusiastic (though inexperienced) architect and a builder who is essentially the most experienced rammed earth builder in Western Australia.
The design brief was simple — We want a building that exhibits a balance between contemporary and traditional design techniques and materials. We have no problem with a modern design as long as it is in harmony with it's bush surroundings. The use of rammed earth will obviously play a major factor in achieving this harmony.
So without further ado ... let the games begin!