Homeowners can expect a pleasant surprise upon entry to this sophisticated display home. From the outside, what presents as a single-storey abode opens up to reveal a timber staircase leading to a spacious mezzanine area. According to Joel Steers of Southern Vale Homes, “The added expense of a two-storey build can add up to 20 per cent to your overall project budget, and could cost upwards of $30,000–$50,000 more by going with a conventional two-storey design. Floor space ratio (FSR) to site coverage is a growing challenge in Sydney, as building your dream home needs to also adhere to relevant planning and development legislation. For a typical 300–450m block in Sydney, this means your home’s footprint must occupy no more than 55 per cent of your block.”

“Opting to build a two-storey home may seem like the obvious solution to the problem but it’s not always that easy. For many buyers, especially first-home buyers who are already pushing the constraints of their budgets for an entry-level property in Sydney, the idea of building two-storey is extremely cost prohibitive.”

This home overcomes that problem; with a single-storey floor plan, it meets council regulations that allow the home to sit closer to the site boundary than a two-storey home. Southern Vale Homes has given this single-storey home an additional mezzanine area, and space close to the boundary of the site by moving away from a traditional ceiling truss and relocating the support internally within the home.

“The mezzanine loft provides an additional 33m of usable space,” explains Joel, “which offers multiple applications for the homeowner. It can be used as an additional living area, office or study, children’s room or home theatre, and also has the option of enclosed walls for complete privacy.”

The floor plan of the home includes four bedrooms, three living areas and a large study nook while still allowing enough space on the lot for a backyard or pool. Its spaciousness, high ceilings, ceiling-line windows and open-plan living areas make it perfect for all types of families and tackles the modern-day challenge first-home buyers often encounter, which is a functional, comfortable home that doesn’t sacrifice on space and is still affordable.