Project Timbertop Wraps Up as Nomac Built's Latest Large Renovation

Project Timbertop is one of the bigger renovations we've delivered, and it's a project the whole Nomac team is proud of.

The brief came in through Andy Armstrong Architects - the clients wanted to improve their kitchen and better connect the home to the outdoors. Once we all sat down and looked at the place properly, the scope grew in the best possible way.

Zak shares how the project came together: "Project Timbertop came to us through a recommendation from Andy Armstrong Architects. The design brief with the clients was to improve usability of the upstairs, and then also add functionality to what was a disused garage space - really converting the downstairs area into something that will last the family the test of time."

The kitchen was opened up, load-bearing walls were removed, and a galley layout was built out centred on a 4.1 metre custom Tasmanian Oak benchtop finished in Fiddes wax. Downstairs, the old garage became a bar, a rumpus room, a study, a laundry, and a boot room.

The centrepiece is the whiskey bar, built around a piece of furniture the clients had brought back from India. Zak explains how that piece came together on site: "The bar area downstairs - the whiskey servery - is one of our client's favourite pieces. We had to incorporate his beautiful piece of furniture that came all the way from India. That furniture piece was the focal point behind the joinery element, and we battled with some on-site constraints around making that work.

"But again, through good design and some great collaboration with the joiner, we were actually able to modify that Indian piece of furniture and it now works seamlessly in that place. The client's really happy - I've already had reports that he's been using it flat out."

This project is also a good example of what early collaboration between architect and builder can do. Zak on why that matters: "From Nomac's point of view, we highly recommend that anyone considering a renovation engages with a builder and architect early in the piece. Having that cohesive end result in mind is really important when it comes to managing cost blowouts, managing expectations, and managing sensible design and construction methodology."

Andy Armstrong has worked with us across a number of projects now, and he describes the approach the same way: "Our approach is always collaborative with everyone involved. Working with the client, myself, and Nomac as the contractor - it's a collaborative approach between all three of us, and also beyond that, the other subcontractors and design professionals involved.

"The great thing about a collaborative approach is that any issues that arise, any dimension changes, anything that may come up during the build can be addressed. We can find great details, and working together with a great builder, we can get a fantastic finish."

Asked what that collaboration actually looks like day to day, Andy puts it simply: "Collaboration involves going for a coffee, going for a chat, a lot of phone calls, a lot of communication and a lot of discussions. We look at the viability and feasibility of projects together. Zak will come along, show me the realities of that or any issues, look at costings, and we'll present that to the client to see if there is a viable project."

That working relationship has a direct impact on the client experience. As Zak notes: "If there's a disconnect between designer and builder, that can definitely lead to cost blowouts and delays on site. Andy Armstrong and Nomac are really big believers in tackling problems head-on as they arise. When we have that cohesive approach, we can move forward through issues - and every good project has its problems to solve."

This one also came in under the contingency sum - and it's a good example of what a well-scoped home extension and renovation can deliver for a Hobart builder and their clients.

Andy's take from the finished space: "From where we were before the project started to where we are now, it feels like a completely different home. We've lost walls that were creating shading and stopping those external views. We've got an open, breathable area that just flows naturally between the floors.

"The clients seem very happy. The dogs are happy. It's been a real success for both myself and Nomac."

Zak's reflection on wrapping up: "I'm really proud to be sitting back in this space. Looking at what it was like 12 months ago versus where it is now - this has been one of Nomac's larger renovations, and it's really pleasing to hear that the clients are happy.

"It's transformed their living environment and future-proofed the home for them and their family. Massive success for the Nomac team and everyone that worked alongside us on this project."