WHAT NEW HOME BUYERS CAN LEARN FROM CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL ANDREW GRAY’S (GRAYA) EXPERIENCE BUILDING HIS MINIMALIST AND MODERN DREAM HOME WITH BRICK.
Andrew Gray, co-owner of internationally renowned construction and development company Graya, recently finished building his three-storey forever home with wife Larissa.
Teaming up with PGH Bricks and award-winning architect Tim Stewart to bring the Paddington, Brisbane project to life, they designed their modern take on a traditional Queenslander home.
As Graya, Andrew and his brother Rob have been building other people’s homes for a decade. They have transformed homes for celebrity clients such as Channel 9 News presenter Alison Ariotti, former Brisbane Broncos’ skipper Darius Boyd, former Queensland Reds’ player Quade Cooper and his then model girlfriend Laura Dundovic, and former Wallabies’ captain Stephen Moore.
Designing a dream home
Seeing a residential building project from the point of view of a client opened Andrew’s eyes to the many decisions involved in building a dream home. For Andrew and Larissa, their key focus was designing a home that would stand the test of time both in function and style.
As an expert in his field, Andrew knew the importance of selecting versatile building materials. that would perfectly balance aesthetic and practicality. With a future-proof style and their Brisbane lifestyle in mind, the couple chose brick as the core material for their build. Bricks were chosen for their flexibility in design and their unique ability to regulate their home’s temperature against the Queensland climate.
Working with PGH Bricks, a leading Australian brick supplier, Gray transformed a small cottage into a modern interpretation of a contemporary home. He noted that with a variety of brick styles available, PGH Bricks & Pavers made it easy for the couple to create unique and trendy features within their home that would never feel dated.
"83 percent of new home buyers in Australia choose to build with brick."
We knew we wanted a simple and minimalist home that also had a sense of timelessness,” Gray explained. “Being in the construction business, I’m also hyper-aware of potential resale value, which means you have to make sure that it’s not only on trend, but also be aware of how it could date.”
Brick selection with PGH Bricks & Pavers
Andrew and Larissa were presented with a range of PGH options, including Gris and Nero from the Morada range for a streamlined look. They also considered a number of other options from the extensive PGH range.
In the end they selected Pebble Creek from PGH Bricks and Pavers’ Pure Linens range. This warm and neutral colour offers a beautiful, smooth, modern finish that enabled Andrew and Larissa to create the eternally stylish home they wanted.
“When a lot of people think about brick, they imagine the traditional red, old style,” said Andrew. “But with so many design options available now for brick, we really felt that if we can use it in the right way, it will be completely timeless.”
Majority of new home builders choosing brick
A survey by Think Brick confirmed the growing preference for brick in residential building. Think Brick found that 83 per cent of new home builders in Australia choose to build with brick. Australian new home buyers build with brick due to its flexibility and its ability to create unique features and a desirable aesthetic.
The hero feature of Andrew and Larissa’s home is a three-storey brick chimney that can be seen from streets away, while the entryway impresses with its one-of-a-kind slice brick facing. The interior mimics the exterior, with all walls, floors, and the outdoor pool area all built with brick. When viewed together, these features demonstrate the versatility and design potential of brick to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor.
Using the same style of bricks throughout the home, the couple were able to achieve cohesion and minimalism in design without compromising on quality or sturdiness. In every sense of the word, Andrew and Larissa have opened a new door together and are excited to see how this new chapter in their life will unfold in their forever home.
“This is our family home where we are going to create some of our most special memories,” said Andrew. “So we wanted to make sure we were 100 per cent happy with all of our choices. If you think outside the box, there’s some really cool design elements that you can create with such a simple and reliable material. It’s the best of both worlds for us.”
Explore your brick options with PGH Bricks & Pavers
Are you like Andrew and Larissa and looking for ways to add interesting design elements to your new home? Or perhaps the versatility and the desirable aesthetics of brick appeal to you. Either way, we invite you to explore your brick options for your new home with PGH Bricks & Pavers.
A great place to start is defining your own personal style. Take our online Style Quiz to learn more about the style and colour of brick that matches your taste. You can also book an online colour consultation with one of our selection specialists. Or use our 3D Visualiser tool to see what your new home could look like with your choice of PGH bricks.
Whether you are building your first home or your forever home, PGH Bricks & Pavers can help. Together, let’s bring your vision for your new home to life.
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