General practitioner Lynda Ashton and her family moved into the multi award-winning extension of their South Perth character home just 12 weeks after the concrete slab for the renovation was poured. 

 

“We were living in the original part of the house, in the height of summer, so we were very keen to have the renovation finished as quickly as possible,” Dr Ashton said. “SIPs Industries had a 12-week construction schedule and they did not miss a deadline.”

 

The extension comprised a contemporary new kitchen with an open plan dining and family room, complete with a cellar, and additional entertaining area on the ground floor, three bedrooms all with ensuites and walk-in-robes on the second storey and a third storey study with sweeping city views.

 

The modern extension to the character home, completed in 2018, has given the family of four, a dog and several chickens, a new lease on life after moving into the original home 10 years ago.

 

“The character frontage is lovely and very fitting with the South Perth streetscape, however, as a growing family we really needed more space,” Dr Ashton said.

 

“At the same time, we were very conscious about using sustainable building products that also ensured our new extension had excellent insulation properties.

 

“Using SIPs enabled up to meet every construction goal we had – an extremely quick build, a sustainable development, and more space in a home that was cool in summer and warm in winter. It is remarkable how much we have saved in electricity costs as a result of the insulated and air-tight panels.”

 

The development was named the Housing Industry Association’s GreenSmart WA winner for 2018, Best Renovation/Addition WA winner 2018 and also took out the national HIA GreenSmart Spec Home prize.

 

Judges said the long-term benefits of the home included lower energy and water bills and less requirement for energy to heat and cool the home.

 

“The thermal comfort, water, energy and resource efficiency have been championed in every facet of the development,” the judges said.

 

SIPs Industries Managing Director Rob Vis said the SIPs panels were manufactured in Bibra Lake WA, which meant there were no supply chain issues which were currently impacting the construction industry.

 

“From development approval to the slab pour and to lock up, SIPs builds can be completed within three months,” Mr Vis said.

 

Dr Ashton said while she was aware her new extension would be insulated, she was not prepared for how marked the difference was.

 

“The house is quite honestly the same temperature year-round,” she said. “In addition to the panels, all windows and glass doors are double glazed, sealed and positioned in a way that ensure maximum solar use in winter and retention of cool air in summer.

 

“We have literally turned on the air conditioner twice since the renovation was completed and that was for a very short period of time during the extreme summer heat.”

 

For more information on SIPs Industries, visit www.sipsindustries.com.au or call 08 9494 2211.