The Block 2021: Basement Reveal

Shelley Craft, co-host of The Block 2021, has unveiled her new beach house, named Pacifico House, located in Byron Bay. The property, acquired five years ago by Craft and her husband Christian Sergiacom, was formerly the site of a whaling station from 1954 to 1962. Craft's vision for the home was to move past the site's grim history and create a contemporary, light-filled 'forever home' that reflects Byron Bay's industrial heritage rather than a typical coastal aesthetic. The design ethos of Pacifico House focuses on 'restrained luxury' and practicality, incorporating industrial elements while maintaining comfort and environmental sensitivity. Craft emphasized the importance of air circulation and natural light in the home's design. This was achieved through the strategic use of raked ceilings, louvred windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors, contributing to the spacious and airy feel of the interior. The house features high ceilings, which Craft believes command attention upon entry, and open-plan living spaces designed for entertaining. The material choices include Gyprock Supaceil plasterboard for the ceilings and Gyprock Superchek plasterboard for many interior walls, highlighting Craft's attention to products that enhance comfort and liveability. The residence comprises five bedrooms and four bathrooms, showcasing a blend of style and functionality. A unique feature of Pacifico House is the 'surfclub change room,' which is clad in Cemintel Barestone in Graphite and Gyprock Aquachek. This room is equipped with two shower heads and a built-in timber bench, serving as a practical space for rinsing off after swimming in the pool or returning from the beach. This design choice underscores the home's integration with its beachside environment and the family's active lifestyle. The overall design successfully balances an industrial aesthetic with the relaxed atmosphere of a beach retreat, creating a cool, comfortable, and environmentally conscious family home. #ShelleyCraft #ByronBay #BeachHouse #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #PacificoHouse #TheBlock #SustainableDesign

The article details the transformation of an unfinished basement into a functional and aesthetically pleasing family space. The homeowners, Hazel and Jude, a busy couple with 10-year-old twins, had a history of starting home renovation projects without fully completing them. Hazel, a professional powerhouse, and Jude, a stay-at-home dad and skilled handyman, had tackled most of their large, old house. However, with many rooms left "almost done," Hazel decided to delegate the basement design to interior decorator Candice Olson, the host of HGTV's "Divine Design," to ensure its completion while Jude focused on finishing other existing projects. The unfinished basement, characterized by exposed concrete and insulation, required a complete overhaul. The initial steps involved fundamental construction: erecting walls, laying down wood flooring, installing crown moldings, and incorporating ceiling lights. To align with the traditional design aesthetic of the rest of the house, the walls were painted a light blue, cherry-toned wood flooring was selected, and custom creamy cabinetry with an antique wash was installed throughout the space. The designer strategically divided the expansive basement into two distinct, practical zones: a family lounge and a crafts/sewing area. In the family lounge, a prominent feature wall was created to house a large-screen television and a new, raised gas fireplace, flanked by custom cabinetry both above and below. A substantial sectional sofa, upholstered in warm wheat chenille, was positioned to offer optimal viewing of the entertainment wall. The neutral tone of the sofa provided an ideal backdrop for a curated collection of accent pillows, which introduced varied textures, colors (blue, caramel), and patterns (decorative paisley), thereby enhancing visual interest. Complementing the sofa, a rich wood coffee table, a dark-leather lounge chair, and a light-colored area rug completed the seating arrangement. To one side of this feature wall, a gallery was established, showcasing fourteen of Hazel’s favorite botanical prints, illuminated by strategically placed wall sconces. The second zone, designated for crafts and sewing, was designed in a large, U-shaped configuration. This area incorporated numerous creamy storage cabinets along the perimeter, paired with floating dark-wood shelves installed above sand-speckled quartz countertops. A rustic wood table was centrally placed in this zone, with three bronze pendant fixtures suspended above it to provide ample lighting. A dedicated sewing station was also created, featuring a modern sewing machine at desk level and a special nook above it to honor Hazel's antique sewing machine, giving it a place of pride. Additionally, a homework area was thoughtfully included for the children, comprising a workstation and chair, equipped with under-cabinet lighting to ensure sufficient illumination for their studies. Through the careful integration of warm colors, comfortable furnishings, traditional design elements, and optimized lighting, the basement was transformed into a fully functional and inviting space for various family activities, marking it as a 100 percent complete project. #HomeRenovation #BasementDesign #InteriorDesign #FamilyRoom #CraftsArea #HomeDecor #CandiceOlson #DivineDesign #HomeImprovement

Mike Hancock, a former nuclear power plant project manager with an engineering background, established Basement Contractors of Oklahoma in 1994. Upon moving to Oklahoma, he observed a significant absence of proper basements in residential construction, where typical foundation companies offered unreinforced stem walls, leading to frequent water problems. Despite this, commercial properties in the area featured underground parking and walk-out basements, indicating the feasibility of such structures. Hancock identified an opportunity to introduce properly constructed residential basements to the market. He began building houses with basements on sloped lots, which were typically cheaper, allowing for walk-out designs. This initiative attracted the attention of local builders, who then sought his services. Basement Contractors of Oklahoma successfully cultivated a market for residential basements, now constructing approximately 70 residential basements annually. Hancock's approach extends beyond just building; he provides engineering services to homebuilders, guiding them on site treatment after his crew completes the basement. He also conducts educational classes for the local building community, in collaboration with organizations like the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and a local concrete supplier. These classes cover the physics of proper basement construction, backfilling techniques, and appropriate landscaping around foundations. Hancock emphasizes a comprehensive service model, offering everything related to the basement, including drainage, waterproofing, and flatwork, allowing builders to focus on framing. Additionally, the company offers structural engineering services for framing, decks, and HVAC system design, and can extend its concrete work beyond basements to include concrete decks, structural staircases, and above-grade walls. Currently, basements account for about 70% of the company's sales, with home and commercial building making up 15%, and other areas such as engineering and specialty applications comprising the remaining 15%. Approximately a decade ago, Basement Contractors expanded into building insulated above-grade concrete walls, completing about 20 homes and several light commercial properties using this method. Hancock notes a growing momentum in the green building market, though he acknowledges that economic considerations often influence homeowners' decisions. He highlights that an insulated concrete home, leveraging the thermal mass of its walls, offers superior environmental stability and represents a cost-effective green building investment for homeowners, with returns realized through energy savings. In the commercial sector, there's a rising inclination towards thermally efficient construction to minimize exposure to damage in industrial zones while maintaining architectural appeal, where concrete, in various forms like tilt-up, poured-in-place, or Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), is a suitable material. Basement Contractors' crews are proficient in multiple insulated concrete systems, including Thermomass, ThermaEZE, and E-MAXX, all used with aluminum forms, and are trained on major ICF brands. Hancock selects the optimal system based on project specifics, for instance, favoring Thermomass when both sides of a wall are exposed for finishing, or using E-MAXX or ThermaEZE with external foam when brick siding is planned. For enhanced soundproofing and internal sheetrock, foam can be placed on both interior and exterior. ICFs are utilized for specific construction scenarios like one-sided pours or against existing structures in remodels. For energy efficiency, particularly in southern climates like Oklahoma, basement walls are often left uninsulated to exploit the consistent 65-degree Fahrenheit soil temperature, which helps cool the house. In such climates, the priority is to insulate against exterior heat transfer, allowing warmer indoor air to dissipate into the cooler ground via uninsulated basement walls. The company also incorporates fly ash and blast slag into concrete mixes, substituting cement with industrial waste for a greener product. A recent significant project demonstrating the company's green building expertise is an 8,000-square-foot Greek Orthodox church in Norman, Oklahoma, featuring insulated concrete walls and a walk-out basement. Initially planned as an ICF build, Hancock re-engineered it into an insulated poured-wall project, proving more economical and energy-efficient. The use of Thermomass panels within the concrete walls mitigated concerns about hail damage to external foam. The church also includes stained concrete floors, stucco exterior, plaster interior, and a design that eliminates the need for a joist ledge. Basement Contractors of Oklahoma has successfully demonstrated the versatility and benefits of concrete construction, establishing a basement market where none existed and delivering energy-efficient buildings that result in long-term savings for owners. The company recently commenced construction on its 500th basement, an 8,000-square-foot house aiming for LEED for Homes Platinum and NAHB Emerald green certifications. This project features concrete construction from the basement to the roof soffit, with Thermomass-insulated concrete walls, a high fly ash concrete mix, and factory-pre-cut foam panels to reduce on-site waste. Additional green features include geothermal heating/cooling, a clay tile roof, and reclaimed materials like wood floors, rafters, doors, and antique fixtures. #BasementConstruction #ConcreteFoundations #GreenBuilding #EnergyEfficiency #InsulatedConcreteForms #Thermomass #ResidentialConstruction #CommercialBuilding #OklahomaConstruction

This article presents the fourth installment of a five-week webisode series showcasing the Hilltop Estate Project, with this particular episode focusing on the home's outdoor spaces. The design emphasizes relaxed alfresco living and dining areas, complemented by a detached pool house intended for guests and entertaining. A key design element highlighted is the inclusion of oversized sliding glass doors, which facilitate a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor environments. This feature is particularly relevant given Southern California's climate, allowing for year-round enjoyment of the outdoor areas. Shea McGee, the designer, emphasizes that the entire home's layout and design are centered around the backyard space, with the pool serving as the primary focal point. The aesthetic incorporates black steel windows, which are intentionally used to connect with the dark siding of the pool house. This creates a visual contrast while maintaining a cohesive link between the main residence and the ancillary structures. The outdoor design also integrates mature olive trees, which were specifically chosen to evoke a Napa-inspired atmosphere, fulfilling a request from the clients. The webisode invites viewers to explore these open-air amenities, providing insights into how functional and aesthetic considerations were balanced to create a luxurious and connected outdoor living experience. The description emphasizes the careful planning that went into creating an outdoor environment that is both visually appealing and highly functional for relaxation and social gatherings, reflecting a modern approach to integrating living spaces with natural surroundings. #HilltopEstate #OutdoorLiving #PoolHouse #AlfrescoDining #NapaInspired #SheaMcGee #ProjectTours #HomeDesign #Webisode

Finishing a basement offers a cost-effective way to expand a home's living space, providing an excellent return on investment, typically around 70%. Many new homes, particularly in the Midwest, are built with unfinished basements, presenting an opportunity for homeowners to develop this existing 'shell' which already includes a foundation, exterior walls, and mechanical systems. The process begins with addressing potential water and vapor intrusion, a critical step given that 98% of homes with basements will experience some form of water damage over their lifetime. This involves checking the perimeter drain system, both above and below grade, as most basement water issues stem from misdirected surface water. Additionally, all cracks and rod-holes in basement walls should be professionally sealed, and clear sealers can be applied to concrete walls and floors to minimize moisture wicking. Once the space is secured against water and vapor, the next phase involves planning the layout of walls, doors, and furniture. Blue painter's tape can be used on the floor to visualize the arrangement of rooms, ensuring practical elements like a minimum hallway width of 36 inches and larger doors (at least 2 feet 10 inches wide) for easy furniture movement. The layout should also consider the placement of major furniture pieces, such as a big-screen TV and sofa, to optimize the functionality of the new rooms. Following the structural layout, attention shifts to mechanical systems, including lighting, electrical outlets, plumbing for new bathrooms or laundry areas, and HVAC for heating and cooling. Marking potential locations for switches, plugs, lights, and additional heating registers helps in the preliminary design phase. Egress requirements are another crucial consideration for below-grade living spaces. Every habitable basement area must have at least two means of egress, with one typically being the interior stairway. The second egress must be an approved door or window located within the main living space. Furthermore, any dedicated sleeping areas or bedrooms in the basement require their own separate secondary egress windows. The installation of each egress window can be a significant expense, often exceeding $3,000. These planning stages culminate in the development of a comprehensive budget, as basement remodels can range widely in cost, from $11,000 to over $27,000, depending on the scope and chosen materials. Key cost drivers include egress units, plumbing installations and fixtures, flooring, furniture, and ceiling treatments. For example, while drywall ceilings are less expensive, suspended ceilings are often recommended as they allow future access to mechanical systems and can offer sound reduction benefits. Thorough planning is emphasized as a means to ensure a successful and enjoyable basement transformation that provides long-term value and enhanced living space. The article concludes by indicating that a subsequent installment will delve into specific materials and techniques for the build-out phase, and directs readers to a professional resource for further advice. #BasementFinishing #HomeImprovement #Waterproofing #BasementDesign #EgressWindows #RemodelingBudget #HomeValue #DIYHome