Five heritage weatherboard houses were completely transformed into stunning modern family homes as part of the 2017 season of The Block television show.
Located in Elsternwick, southeast of Melbourne, these standalone family homes were completely renovated using quality building materials and auctioned off for amounts ranging from $2.615 million to $3.067 million. This popular home renovation show has played an important role in educating homeowners on design and home improvement, and how their investment would benefit them in the long term.
CSR Gyprock was selected as the premium internal linings product for the homes, together with a number of other CSR building products, including Bradford, Cemintel, Hebel, Monier, PGH and Viridian. These materials were used in combination to meet different functional and aesthetic requirements.
Working within a tight budget, the contestants were advised to control their spending or risk leaving their house unfinished. Gyprock’s service and product offering, which included the ability to continuously meet demands of delivery times, readily available technical support and local manufacturing for quick turnaround time, convinced the contestants.
"Gyprock was proud to support the contestants with product that ultimately helped their budget and allowed them to build and create the designs they desired, without sacrificing the overall quality of the build," Najwa Khoury, Gyprock marketing manager said.
The television program showcased how the contestants seamlessly blended the heritage structures with modern design, by combining traditional accents including hall panelling and leadlight windows with show-stopping ceiling heights, and modern open-plan living flooded in natural light.
Some of the contestants paid homage to traditional style by requesting handmade cast plaster cornices, ceiling roses and details. These requests were fulfilled by Gyprock Solutions Picton Hopkins – a division of CSR Gyprock in Preston specialising in traditional plaster fabrication methods.
Approximately 8,500 square metres of Gyprock plasterboard were used throughout all five dwellings with each product specified for their unique properties. Gyprock Plus and Supaceil plasterboard products were featured throughout the build, alongside premium Gyprock compounds. For wet areas in the home such as laundries and bathrooms, contestants utilised Gyprock’s Aquachek – a plasterboard product specifically designed for use as a lining in wet areas due to its moisture and humidity resistant properties.
While the traditional facades on the heritage style homes were kept intact, large modern extensions were added to each property with open-plan living extending effortlessly into the designer backyards. These outdoor entertaining spaces were well-designed with some contestants opting to install swimming pools.
Each home also boasts a three-car garage and luxurious self-contained unit that can be adapted into an additional bedroom, a study area or a home office.
“The contestants’ hard work has transformed these properties into spectacular dream homes that seamlessly combine old world charm with modern aesthetics that will stand the test of time,” concludes Khoury.
