People look for a home which refl ects their personality and fits their needs. There are a multitude of influences, everyone’s different, but we all want a space where we feel comfortable, relaxed and safe. A space which says something about us - who we are and where we’re going.
The brief from our US based clients was for a barn style home with a rustic feel that settles into the site and takes full advantage of the spectacular views of the private pond, canyon and lake and mountains beyond.
With their background in hospitality a grand dining hall was requested and is an amazing first impression upon entering this home.
There is also an adjoining sitting room with matching back to back stone clad open fires. For less formal living the kitchen / family area provides a more intimate setting for relaxation. As there are often visitors the bedrooms are self contained and separated for total privacy.
PREBABRICATED HOMES have come a long way from the basic cabins of old. Today's premium designs give you flexibility, style and an eco-friendly edge, too. BUILDING a house from scratch in the conventional manner is a time-consuming and expensive business. But there are other options, namely in the form of prefabricated and kit houses. Prefab houses are erected on site (by the owner or a builder) from factory-assembled sections; they generally include fittings, floors and all the "essentials" of a house. Kit houses, on the other hand, arrive at your building site in "nuts and bolts" form and, with basic skills, can be assembled by hand, you may only end up with a shell, however, and will have to install plumbing, electrical, etc separately.
NEW GENERATION PREFAB HOME
The Bachkit (pronounced "batch kit") home shown on these pages is an example of a new breed of prefab home, one that achieves a truly architectural look but comes without the fees associated with commissioning a one-off design. Designed by architect Andre Hodgskin and imported from New Zealand, the Bachkit's 1940s-‘50s Palm Springs - inspired architectural design in modular form, teamed with top-of-the-range finishes, gives it it's point of difference. The house sports clean lines and floor-to-ceiling-height glass that recesses into the wall cavity. This allows for indoor-outdoor living under the large overhanging roofs that mirror the generous decks beneath. The spaces are bright, breezy and link together with a natural flow. The walls can also be slid to different positions, changing the mood and feel of the home according to the seasons. This is no cabin!
VERSATILE DESIGN
When locked up the Bachkit home becomes an impenetrable box: commercial-grade aluminium joinery stops sea salt from entering; ComfortPlus glass, a high-thermal-quality glass, stops the home getting too hot in summer; and the highly insulated sub-floor and roof with effective seals means that the house is fully airtight. This is perfect for a holiday home that is left unattended for weeks or months on end - and also fine if you build the Bachkit as your main house in the suburbs. You could also use the home as an addition to your existing home. In remote locations this kit actually comes into it's own because labour costs are kept to a minimum. The home can be delivered to the site in two shipping containers and assembled by two skilled carpenters, with a visit from an electrician and plumber along the way. Once you've found your land it's a matter of deciding how big a home you want - there are many floor plans to choose from, including two-storey Bachkits.
BUILT TO LAST
Built from glass and commercial-grade aluminium, the Bachkit home is a solid construction. Internal options include hardwood floors, skylights, air-conditioning and/or fireplace.
PERFECT PAD
The "Total Bachkit" home covers 172sqm and is split into two pavilions - one main area with two bedrooms, bathroom and ensuite.
DESIGN DETAILS
Attention to detail such as pivot doors (instead of hinged doors) and ceiling shadow lines give the Bachkit a more architectural look. The structure carries five-stat energy and insulation ratings and can even be moved from one location to another once built.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
In the summer the generous surrounding decks and indoor-outdoor living design comes into their own. In the cooler months you can open just the aluminium louvre panels to keep the warmth in but still enjoy the view.
FINAL TOUCHES
Decorate how you choose to add your own unique touch and personality to your home.
KIT OUT THE KITCHEN
There are four different kitchen styles available.
The elegant glass and aluminium modular Bachkit home "blurs the boundary between inside and out", according to the company's Managing Director, Charlie Ball. The large roof overhang is matched with a deck of the same size, providing shade in summer and protection from the elements in winter. Double-skin walls house huge sliding glass panels that open every room to the outdoors, while aluminium louvres let the sunshine in but keep thieves out.
Bachkit homes originated in New Zealand 10 years ago but the fully insulated design, with five-star energy rating, has been carefully adapted to suit most Australian climates. There are five configurations, from a guest pavilion to a three-bedroom home with enclosed breezeway, all with hardwood decks and pre-finished solid timber floors. These basic elements can be combined like building blocks to create personalised designs, and extra modules can be added later.
Prices range from $120,000 for a guest pavilion to $340,000 for a home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry facilities, open-plan living/dining room and kitchen. Wind and solar energy packages can be incorporated with water harvesting and recycling to create a completely self-supporting house. Go to www.bachkit.com.au.
Bach Kit Boom
Tuesday, 08 December 2009 03:50
Bachkit ’s philosophy to building is that constructing a new modular home should follow a similar process as purchasing a new car. Make your choice and it will do the rest, handing you the keys after the 12-week construction period.
Bachkit believes in simplicity: in its design, its use and in the details, they make it simple and easy. This perfect home offers flexibility, accommodating you and your loved ones in style. It is unique in its construction and requires no stress on your part.
Bachkit (pronounced "batch-kit") is a unique concept in premium modular homes that has been launched in Australia by Mosman Park businessman, Charlie Ball.
Produced in New Zealand for almost a decade, the product has a low-impact design, is quick to construct (an average project takes 12 weeks), has a high level of fit-out including Miele options, can be constructed with ease in remote areas and has a five-star energy rating.
Making the homes environmentally friendly are water efficient fittings, minimum low-e-glass (low emissivity) with an option for double glazing, wind and solar energy options, floor plans that facilitate natural cross-ventilation, rainwater harvesting and water recycling options and extensive louvres and eave overhangs to manage sunshine and shade.
Charlie has brought Bachkit's latest designs to WA and these can be mixed and matched to offer a diversity of home configurations, including two-storey, that are simple, low fuss and practical without compromising on style and allow for seamless indoor/outdoor.
Prices for the modular homes range from $120,000 for the guest pavilions to $320,000 for a total Bachkit containing three bedrooms, two bathrooms (one with laundry facilities), an open plan living/dining room and a kitchen.
Today's prefabricated house is stylish sustainable, low cost and goes up quickly, reports Denise Ryan.
PREBABRICATED houses are commonplace in the US and Europe but have been less popular here, partly because of a perception that construction standards are low. But new companies such as Modscape, Bachkit and Eco-Villa are transforming the image of modular housing.
Eco-Villa caters to budget buyers, with houses available for less than $50,000 to lock-up stage. Modscape and Bachkit charge more but offer a wider range of options and a stylish, minimalist finish. Each is much cheaper than constructing a conventional building. Perth businessman Charlie Ball has launched a new range of modular homes in Australia call Bachkits, which have been produced in New Zealand for 10 years. The name derives from New Zealanders calling a holiday house a bach, pronounced ‘batch'.
The Bachkits come in a variety of configurations and take 12 weeks to construct. A three-bedroom, two bathroom house costs $340,000, with a choice of four kitchen designs with different appliances and finishes. Where one buyer might choose a white kitchen with Fisher & Paykel appliances, another could choose timber veneer cupboards with Bosch appliances. An extra module comprising a bedroom and bathroom for guests starts at $120,000.
The standard Bachkit has a two-bedroom main pavilion, which is joined by a roofed breezeway to a second one-bedroom pavilion. Recessed sliding glass panels close off each pavilion. The indoor/outdoor design was influenced by the works of the late Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect, interior designer, writer and educator hailed in 1991 as ‘the greatest American architect of all time' by the American Institute of Architects.
Mr Ball says the designs are five-star energy rated and have a low environmental impact, thanks to their design for cross ventilation, the use of low-e glass (low emissivity) in the windows, plus many options for wind and solar energy, rainwater harvesting and water recycling. Louvres and eaves moderate the rays of the sun.
Modular Home shows flexibility and simplicity
Thursday, 17 September 2009 05:25
The West Australian - New Homes - 12 September 2009
An ideal lock-up-and-leave holiday residence, this home by Bachkit displays the company's innovative approach to high-level modular housing.
Billed as "low-impact, premium modular living", the designs by Bachkit are ideal as holiday houses or permanent homes, combining flexibility and simplicity with the understated style and the advantage of a 12-week construction time.
Bachkit homes have been produced in New Zealand for nine years and were launched in WA late last year.
Mosman Park businessman Charlie Ball, who brought the designs to Australia, said Bachkit was an exciting innovation for the local industry, providing hassle-free housing solutions.
"Bachkit offers a diversity of home configurations which are simple, low-fuss and practical without compromising on style," Mr Ball said.
Bachkit homes were designed to minimise impact on the environment with design criteria such as WELS rated water-efficient fittings throughout; minimum low-E glass with a double glazing option; and wind, solar energy, rainwater harvesting and water recycling options, he said.
The floor plans allow for natural cross-ventilation, while extensive louvers and eave overhangs manage sun and shade, and New Zealand regrowth timber is used in the construction.
The home takes full advantage of it's rural surrounds with views through the huge full-height glass sliding doors which are an integral feature of Bachkit designs.
And when the weather turns wild or owners are away, aluminium shutters can slide over the doors to partially or fully enclose the house.
Entering the home takes the visitor into a central living area which enjoys bush views over the extensive timber deck and verandas.
The alfresco area to the left has a partially enclosed roof with an oval "keyhole" so it can be enjoyed no matter the weather. Windows and shutters on either side can be opened or closed to control the temperature and ventilation.
Glass sliding doors from the alfresco area open to the main suite, which is contained in its own pavilion.
The bedroom has a wall of robes and the stylish ensuite has a skylight, floating vanity unit and streamlined handbasin and toilet suite, plus a sizeable shower recess.
The two minor bedrooms are at the opposite end of the home, and share the bathroom, appointed in the same style as the ensuite.
As part of the minimalist, streamlined design, the bathroom also includes provision for laundry appliances, with a washer and dryer tucked away behind the door.
The galley-style kitchen has pull-out fridge and freezer drawers integrated into the cabinets, along with a dishwasher and microwave-convection oven and grill. There is also a five-burner gas cooktop and underslung sink set in the stainless-steel benchtop, making the kitchen stylish, functional and ultimately low-maintenance.
In keeping with its holiday feeling, Mr Ball said the Bachkit design allowed for seamless indoor-outdoor living. "The modular design suits holiday or permanent homes, granny flats, studios and high-end mining and remote housing," he said.
Prices for Bachkit packages range from $120,000 for the guest pavilions, to $340,000 for the total Bachkit, which has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a choice of our pre-designed kitchens.
Modules can be added in an unlimited number of configurations to create various floor plans, including two-storey designs.
Another advantage is that no concrete slab is required because the designs use a steel or timber stump footing that doesn't require any site works and can be built on irregular or sloping sites.
Unique Modular Homes Launched in Australia
Wednesday, 04 March 2009 02:26
A NEW and unique concept in low impact modular homes has been launched in Australia, with its head office based in Perth.
The bachkit ) pronounced ‘batch-kit’) is an innovation in premium modular living, which has been produced in New Zealand for the past nine years.
‘Bach’ literally means ‘beach house’ in New Zealand, and it was this understated simplicity that appealed to managing director Charlie Ball when he was searching the world to bring modular homes to WA.
‘We searched Europe, South Africa and the US looking for something that was well designed with a high-quality fit-out,’ Mr Ball said.
‘Bachkit was the one that finally grabbed my attention’.
‘The design is based on the Palm Springs and Californian architecture of the ‘30s and ‘50s – all those guys who believed you ought to bring the outdoors in with big panes of glass’.
The beauty of Bachkit homes is that they can be constructed in about 12 weeks, with no hidden costs.
There are five home configurations available, from the guest pavilions to the total Bachkit, which can be combined or added to at a later date.
Bachkit homes suit the Australian lifestyle particularly well. As well as being extremely tough, the expansive glass sliding panels blur the boundary between inside and out, while aluminium louvres provide security and temperature control.
Mr Ball said Bachkit was an exciting innovation for the West Australian building industry and would provide hassle free housing solutions for many Western Australians.
‘There are many reasons why I’m excited to bring this product to Australia, particularly the fact it is such a low impact design which is 5 star energy rated’, he said.
Construction time is just 12 weeks and Bachkit offers a diversity of home configurations which are simple, low fuss and practical without compromising on style’.
Bachkit has been designed to minimise impact on the environment with design criteria such as:
NZ renewable regrowth timber used in the construction
Extensive louvres and eave overhangs to manage sunshine and shade
Mr Ball said the premium architect design allows for seamless indoor/outdoor living and was based on the Lloyd-Wright and Neutra architecture of California.
‘The modular design suits holiday or permanent homes, granny flats, studios, open plan home extensions and remote housing,’ he said.
For further details contact Bachkit Australia's Sales and Marketing Manager on (08) 9384 7589 or email 12weeks@bachkit.com.au
Instant Fix
Friday, 20 February 2009 02:44
Bachkit is set to take Australia by storm with the launch of low-cost pre-fab beach houses fitted with all the modern conveniences.
Think of pre-fab, modular housing and streamlined, cutting-edge design isn’t necessarily the first thing that springs to mind. Bachkit, however, could change the way we view beach shacks forever.
These premium, low-impact, modular homes were introduced to WA – and Australia – late last year, although the concept originated in New Zealand about nine years ago.
‘Bach’ literally means ‘beach house’ in New Zealand, and it was this understated simplicity that appealed to managing director Charlie Ball when he was searching the world to bring modular homes to WA.
We searched Europe, South Africa and the US looking for something that was well designed with a high-quality fit-out’, Charlie says. ’Bachkit was the one that finally grabbed my attention.’
‘The design is based on the Palm Springs and Californian architecture of the ‘30s and ‘50s – all those guys who believed you ought to bring the outdoors in with big panes of glass’.
The beauty of Bachkit homes is that they can be constructed in about 12 weeks, with no hidden costs. There are five home configurations available, from the guest pavilions to the total Bachkit, which can be combined or added to at a later date.
Bachkit homes suit the Australian lifestyle particularly well. As well as being extremely tough, the expansive glass sliding panels blur the boundary between inside and out, while aluminium louvres provide security and temperature control.
The large, overhanging roof is matched with a low-maintenance hardwood deck, and pre-finished hardwood timber floors make the property particularly care free. When it’s time to leave, simply close all the aluminium louvres and head back to real life. The standard specification on all five Bachkit configurations is very high and each has been energy rated to five stars.
Included as standard are WELS-rated toilets and tapware, full insulation to a 5-star energy rating and energy-rated low-E glass, as well as Kahrs hardwood timber floors imported from Switzerland and Kwilia hardwood decking externally.
Optional extras include solar power, outdoor showers, water tanks and Smeg fridges. There are four kitchen designs to choose from, starting with the standard model (known as baseCAMP) to the M-range, which includes Miele appliances and stone benchtops.
