What Makes a Home Australian?

Having spent the long weekend at assorted barbecues, wolfing-down several sanger sandwiches and laughing with friends over cold cans from the esky; we got to thinking: what is it that makes a home Australian?

So, aside from geographical location, and regardless of whether there’s a Hills Hoist in the backyard, here are some of our favourite, quintessentially Australian house designs.

The Queenslander

image from traditionalqueenslanders.com.au

We figure that you can’t talk about Australian house designs without mentioning The Queenslander; so let’s get it over and done with:  

The wraparound balconies on Queenslander homes were designed to allow you to sit on your deck, in the shade, regardless of where the sun was at that time of day.

These days, we’ve gotten much better at designing homes to allow you to make the most of our outdoor lifestyle, but without building a wraparound deck.

Workers Cottages

image from homestolove.com.au

Even though workers have been given huts on their lord’s lands for years, the Australian Workers Cottage was unique, as it was designed for our climate and weather.

These cottages were often built with large windows to maximise air flow; which was important, as most were built with smoky, indoor fireplaces; and rustic, outhouses; which became known as “dunnies.”

Iron Lacework

image from chatterton.com.au

Whether you’re driving through rural Australia, or strolling down a back alley in Sydney’s historic Rocks precinct; you’re bound to see an abundance of iron lacework.

From adorning letterboxes to decorating verandas; these filigree screens were seriously fashionable in the mid-nineteenth century, and have since become synonymous with Australian architecture.

As with most things fashionable, however, they don’t really offer any use – apart from looking pretty.

DLUG

Image: our Thrive 'Alysium' design with the 'Rubix' facade

Whether you grew up in a Ford family, or a Holden family; most Australians used to have a double lock-up garage.

Sadly, with the “Manhattan-effect” bringing more and more people into the city, and as more people opt for apartments over houses; DLUGs are simply out of reach for most Australians.

However, if you’ve always wanted a place to park your pride and joy, then never fear, as all of our designs feature a garage and many offer the option of that coveted DLUG!.

Modern Australian

Featuring elements drawn from hundreds of years of construction (and mistakes); modern Australian homes remain quintessentially Australian – but without the lacework.

Just like the old Queenslanders, our modern designs bring the outdoors in, and allow for alfresco entertaining, to make the most of our balmy climate.

Likewise, Thrive Homes are all built to maximise airflow, to keep your house cool during the warmer months. Luckily, modern insulation means that there’s no smoky fireplace, and all of our designs (believe it or not) feature indoor toilets.   

So if you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own, Australian home, then take a look at our hugely affordable house and land packages. You’ll see that, while iron lacework and outdoor dunnies may be a thing of the past - owning your own Australian home doesn’t have to be.