Street Smart

Posted: 29 July 2009 by Metricon Homes

Tags: bricks, cladding, facade, materials, render, stone, timber

Metricon's Product Development Manager, Adrian, explains what gives a home it's "wow" factor.

Clearly Metricon has never heard the proverb “never judge a book by its cover”. New techniques, new materials and a fresh approach to design have resulted in a stunning release of homes with strong street appeal. Product Development Manager Adrian says creating points of difference in the homes – inside and out – is the key to Metricon’s continued success.

“We think it’s extremely important that the front of the home looks striking,” Adrian said. “We like to think it makes people want to go inside and look at what’s behind the façade.”

Metricon is now incorporating a variety of materials to accentuate architectural features and intensify impact.

“There is still a place for render but we are adding interest by introducing other elements such as lightweight cladding, feature brick work, stacked stone and timber,” Adrian said. “We have been inspired by commercial architecture and we continually look for new products that are suitable to be used in residential applications. “While we are looking to achieve an architectural, modern feel, we still want to convey warmth – and I think we do that with the combination of materials, such as timber battening and some of the natural stone finishes.”

Another finish making a big comeback is external panelling. “It might look like weatherboards but it is actually a product called Matrix,” Adrian said. “It is a lightweight fibre cement panel with an express joint which is very durable, low maintenance and rot resistant – not at all like what your parents and grandparents might have had to maintain in years gone by. The technology in materials is incredible; on the Laguna at Mernda we are featuring a tile which has a metallic finish – this combines brilliantly with the lightweight cladding, render and brick work. It’s all designed to give our homes that extra individuality and personality. Whenever we find a new material we push hard to be the first to use it in our homes to keep our position ahead of the market.”

Adrian believes the advent of five–star energy requirements and the initial impact on the way windows are used in homes is starting to change. “We obviously need to work within the sustainability guidelines, but there is no denying that people love lots of natural light in their homes,” he said. “Reducing the glazing area is not necessarily a solution; we are now recommending double glazing and working hard with our suppliers to push down the price. This means our homes will be able to have bigger windows and yet still maintain the required energy rating under five–star. There are, of course, areas of the home where we do incorporate strategic window treatments, such as the horizontal slit windows in our home theatre rooms – this is a key area where you don’t necessarily want natural light.

“We continue to push the boundaries, come up with interesting, functional details and innovative solutions to continually refresh and wow the senses.”