15 Mulga Street, O'Connor. Photo: Supplied There are a few things The Jetsons got right. We have a few decades before we should expect robot maids in the kitchen and flying cars in our driveways, but home automation and flat-screen TVs are no longer a fantasy.
And a flat-screen TV isn’t always enough these days – the purpose-built home theatre is a requirement, rather than a luxury, for homeowners with the cash to splash.
Houses are now designed to be easier to live in. For some that means a kitchen with all the bells and whistles, for others it’s simply a low-maintenance backyard.
The quest to reduce our ever-complicating lives has been a driver of home design and technology trends, according to Luton Properties Manuka agent James Carter.
“More and more we are seeing lifestyle demands and the way people live affect the designs,” he says.
Take, for example, this week’s cover property in O’Connor. Home automation controls LED lighting, security systems and speakers throughout the home.
The new owner will be given two days of on-site tech support and personalised tailoring of the controls.
Carter says the attention to detail and surprises throughout every corner of the property have been a hit at open homes.
“Richard [Luton] and I have had over 100 groups the first Saturday of this property and their reactions were all impressive,” Carter says.
“With the level of inclusions and the detail of this property on Mulga, anyone would want to live here – it would be so easy to just move in and enjoy the design and the lifestyle it offers.”
Carter says a focus on the environment has begun to move to the forefront of design and will continue, with features like double-glazed windows to become commonplace.
But it’s not just high-tech gadgets that are improving home design. New technology has made it easier to inject personality into a property.
“We are living in a world where it is easier and easier to create something bespoke and unique that is high quality,” Carter says.
“Canberra, traditionally, has been a market that never liked to test different designs and methods of constructions. Surprisingly, we have some renowned heritage for blending good design and streetscapes and it is refreshing that we now have such a educated market on building quality, inclusions and design.”
Nik Bulum, the man behind some of Braddon’s most distinctive developments, says people are yearning for that missing piece of the puzzle.
“It’s your home and it’s special to have something that reflects your personality,” Bulum says.
He believes the design and features make a home and it’s the points of difference that allow a property to retain value, particularly within the unit market.
“I feel like more focus should be put on the design and the quality,” Bulum says.
“A lot of people are trained to look at the square metres and the size of the apartment and not focus on the beautiful features. I think that having these differences creates a better investment because it’s something a bit different to the stock-standard apartment.”
Must-haves for homes of the future
- Sustainable design – Energy efficiency is not only good for the environment, it’s a money saver. Expect to see double (or even triple) glazing and solar panels become standard in Canberra homes.
- Home automation – It already seems like there’s an app for everything and while home automation is still the exception, rather than the norm, it’s only a matter of time before each light is turned on with our smartphone.
- Bespoke inclusions – Expect to see more personality and less monotony as technology makes one-of-a-kind features more available and easier to create.
Daring to be different
The latest Lonsdale Street development, Branx, above, aims to capture something that has been lost in larger projects, according to developer Nik Bulum.
Designed by Nathan Judd, the mixed-use development rebels against the standard list of inclusions in favour of something a bit more theatrical.
“The interiors will be based on a luxe, rich blend of industrial antique and modern furnishings,” Bulum says.
Each of the 59 units will be finished in one of three styles, including a modern take on classic colonial, warehouse grunge and a third that embodies the development’s theatrics.
Features such as internal atriums and metallic details will also create interest.
Bulum says the building won’t be to everyone’s taste, but that’s the whole point. It dares to be different and those who like it will absolutely love it.
“I do believe it will add to the landscape of interesting architecture.”
Glitteringly clever
Beyond the LED-lit front steps, clever features can be found throughout every room in this spectacular four-bedroom house at 15 Mulga Street, O’Connor.
The modern facade incorporates an extensive use of glass, which allows light to fill the home.
A state-of-the-art kitchen overlooks the family room and includes a huge butler’s pantry, Sub-Zero fridge and Wolf appliances. It is finished with Calcutta marble and custom joinery, while pop-up USB and powerpoints are concealed in the benchtops.
A central alfresco area with a sunken spa provides the ideal setting for outdoor entertaining.
A glass, steel and timber staircase against an exposed brick backdrop is a stunning focal point for the open-plan living spaces. It leads the way to a segregated master wing complete with an opulent en suite, his and hers dressing rooms and an adjacent nursery or guest room.
The home is fitted with a home automation system that controls lighting, security and the sound system. The garden irrigation system is also fully automated.
Other features include a three-car garage, spotted-gum floorboards and LED lighting throughout.
Set in a private, elevated position, the property is close to the O’Connor and Lyneham shops and just a short drive to the city.