Struck by Lightning  

It can be difficult to design the perfect new build in an established suburb – one that caters to modern family life, yet still sits comfortably into the existing streetscape.

That was the challenge facing the team from Klemm Homes in Adelaide in a recent project. The brief from the owners of this house, a busy professional couple, was all about creating a generous family home that was both low-maintenance and contemporary in style.

A knockdown/rebuild project, the final result ticks all those boxes. Klemm, a custom-build specialist, worked with the owners to design an elegant, modern family home, using the Lightning bricks from the Dark & Stormy range from PGH Bricks for the facade.

Chosen for their low-maintenance properties, as well as their elegant appearance, the Lightning face bricks were laid with a mortar in a matching shade for a streamlined look.

Street appeal

The home, which includes four bedrooms, open-plan living and kitchen area, plus study and separate retreat, is set in the established Adelaide suburb of Glen Osmond, in a tree-lined street and surrounded by homes built in the 1950s, all with brick facades.

The owners kept the existing stone front fence and some existing mature trees to help incorporate the new build into the landscape and create a sense of place.

“The clients were quite specific about their new home blending into the street and the area generally,” says Carmel Klemm of Klemm Homes, “and it worked in perfectly with that streetscape.”

Why these bricks

Carmel Klemm says that the company often specifies PGH Bricks, using PGH products on more than 80 per cent of their builds.

She adds that the low-maintenance aspect of brickwork always impresses her clients. “These clients in particular also loved the consistency in the colour of the bricks,” she says. “Sometimes when you render a wall you're not exactly sure what you're going to get. The client just wanted a nice light brick. The beauty of this colour brick is that it's not grey and it's not brown, it’s a lovely in-between shade.”

“And that's what the client wanted. He didn't really want a cold building; warm tones were important to him.”

The inside/outside connection

The brickwork extends into the spectacular entry, connecting the look of the exterior with the interiors. The entry includes a double-height light-filled void and continues the use of the Lightening bricks, preparing visitors for the streamlined interior design contained within, also created by Klemm Homes.

Extra detailing was done at slab stage to ensure 86mm rebates and set downs so the external brickwork could run into this front entry, creating an architectural feature.

And brick is featured throughout the interiors. Inside, a generously sized brick fireplace becomes the centrepiece of the open-plan living space. Built with PGH’s Apollo bricks, which have a metallic finish, the fireplace is laid in a stacked bond, adding to the home’s contemporary aesthetic.

“The client wanted it to look sharp,” explains Carmel. “A different bond than the exterior and more architectural in style.”

Polished concrete floors are featured throughout, providing a framework and backdrop, allowing the bricks to be the hero.

Alfresco area

The home includes a beautifully designed pool and alfresco area at the rear, connected structurally and visually with the use of more Lightening bricks. A covered outdoor dining space leads off the living area and includes an outdoor kitchen/barbecue area that is framed by the Lightening bricks (which double as a splashback), leading to a manicured lawn and garden.

Floor to ceiling glass windows and sliding stacked doors allow easy access to the pool from the living and dining spaces.

The result

And, of course, the real mark of success is how thrilled the clients were with the design and build. The homeowner was effusive in his praise of Klemm Homes, saying that the whole process was stress-free and resulted in a beautiful home for their family.

“The whole Klemm team listened to our needs, our wishes, and made sure that they built what we wanted,” he says.

About Klemm Homes

Adelaide-based Klemm Homes is a family-owned and operated boutique building company with more than a decade of hands-on experience in the construction industry. The team specialises in creating luxury custom-designed homes that come with a personalised approach to both design and construction. 

Photography: Klemm Homes and The Fotobase Group.