Lifes a beach

Lifes a beach

A great coastal home is more than just an idyllic place to relax and unwind. It’s built to withstand a lifestyle full of sun, sand and salt!

Born and bred in Noosa, Chris Smith knows the natural environment of his new builds inside out. With a passion for his local community’s future, Chris joined the building trade at 15 years old, worked his way from the bottom up, gained invaluable experience, and made plenty of industry contacts. He founded his own company, Chris Smith Construction, 12 years ago. “I had my own builder’s license, and I haven’t looked back,” he says.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Getting started in a small town took a lot of ‘word of mouth’ recommendations about his offering. Having worked for years as a builder, Chris already had a number of reliable contractors he could call on. With time, he built strong relationships with architects and his business grew. His premium craftsmanship set him apart, attracting both local and overseas clientele seeking commanding holiday properties and permanent residences. According to Chris, it’s his relationship with architects that has enabled him to succeed in a small town. He works to ensure the initial vision is delivered with innovative materials, fixtures and fittings, installed with absolute attention to detail. “Being able to take what’s on the plans and produce it, that’s the part I really love,” he says. His projects are far from easy knock-together shacks; Chris is tasked with building multi-million dollar residences for clients seeking the best luxury living. Architects now approach Chris to tender on prestige projects and there’s been no shortage of work.

Modern Beach house living roomModern Beach house living room

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Despite changing property market conditions, the Australian dream of owning a coastal property has never been stronger. Noosa and surrounding regions remain a solid proposition, not just for Queenslanders, but for “southerners looking to set up a holiday home”, Chris says. In 2014, he won the Master Builders Australia House of the Year in the $1 million to $2 million categories. The home was designed to make the most of its water views, achieved with floor-to-ceiling glazing across vantage points from all living spaces. “Getting recognition nationally was big,” he says.

CONSTRUCTING FOR THE CONDITIONS 

A magnificent coastal abode isn’t just designed to take in views of the surrounds – it must be constructed to respect nature’s whims. Chris explains that building with materials that are going to last is key. “I’m doing one up in Teewah with marine grade fixings, bolts and screws, so they’ll hold up to the elements,” he adds. Timber shiplap cladding is another material he’s drawn to, and he’s always looking for more items that are both sustainable and strong. “I’ve put a lot of reliability on the reps at Mitre 10,” he says. “They source hardwood timbers for me.” While some timbers are new to Chris, the relationships he’s developed with experienced reps gives him the confidence to use previously undiscovered materials that improve the quality and lifespan of his builds.  

beach house patiobeach house patio

FROM SAND TO LAND

To professionals considering exploring coastal build opportunities, Chris says it’s essential to “work with an architect who’s going to design something that will suit the block of land”. Coastal builds have unique considerations, such as flood risk and elevation considerations. “Maximizing the view” is also a priority, he says.

Chris explains that his building materials are always suited to the environment. This is evident in his Little Cove build, which sits on the fringe of the Noosa National Park. It’s framed by magnificent bushland and the rich timber structure is reflective of the location it’s designed to nestle in, like a camouflaged treehouse. It enhances its environment rather than detracting from it. Much creativity and consideration have gone into this coastal home. It fits seamlessly with the landscape. Sustainability is an increasingly important factor, too. But what’s most important is creating spaces that enable residents to make the most of tropical conditions, from the moment they walk in for the first time and for many years to come.  

“I’ve always dealt with Sunshine Mitre 10 in Noosaville – the sales reps work closely with me to deliver the best projects”

Chris Smith – Founder of Chris Smith Construction

beach house kitchenbeach house kitchen

TIPS FOR BUILDING COASTAL HOMES

  • Choose suppliers with coastal home experience; they’ll have specific insights about materials and design elements suited for the conditions
  • Ensure the design of the home suits the block of land – be sure to consider any flood or fire risks in the design.
  • Maximise the opportunities for indoor and outdoor living and entertaining
  • Aim to work with materials that are both sustainable and suited to the elements
  • Seek advice from hardware experts and ensure you’re using the most innovative products

TRADE QUALITY BRANDS

We Supply ITI Australia Products We Supply James Hardie Products We Supply Hyne Timber Products We Supply Hume Doors We Supply Cement Australia Products We Supply the HB Fuller Range We Supply an Extensive ITW Proline Range We Supply Corinthian Doors We Supple Bradford Insulation We Supply Paslode Nailers and Framers We Supply Tasman KB Outdoor Timbers

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