Project snapshot
- Type: Private residence using a light, long‑span steel frame
- Location: Coastal Australia (sub‑tropical setting with palm trees)
- Features: Skillion roofs, pool courtyard, glass balustrade, pergola canopy, outdoor BBQ kitchen
- Scope: Design refinement, detailing, fabrication, corrosion protection, export packing, site advisory
Overview
This contemporary home uses a slim steel frame to unlock wide openings and a deep alfresco canopy. The living, dining and kitchen slide open to a protected pool terrace for true indoor‑outdoor living. Durable finishes and clean junctions create a calm, low‑maintenance coastal retreat.
Client brief and site context
The owners wanted privacy from the street, generous shade and a fast, tidy build. The site is near the coast, requiring wind‑rated structure and corrosion‑resistant materials. A courtyard layout with a pool fence in glass delivers safety without blocking views.
Our scope
We developed the steel system, connections and shop drawings to suit local builder practice. All members were prefabricated, numbered and powder‑coated over hot‑dip galvanizing. We coordinated glazing tolerances, pergola set‑out and fixing points for the outdoor kitchen and lights.
Structural solution
A steel moment frame carries the long skillion roofs and the cantilevered pergola. SHS/RHS posts and plate‑bolted connections keep columns slender and joints precise. Hidden bracing and purlins control drift and support the roof overhangs without intrusive cross‑bracing.
Design highlights
- Exposed steel pergola extends shade over the terrace while admitting dappled light.
- Oversized sliders and a clerestory band frame the pool and bring in sky views.
- Entry sequence uses repeating steel portals for rhythm and weather cover.
- Street façade blends concrete blades with dark vertical cladding for privacy.
Materials and finishes
- Primary steel: SHS columns, welded beams, purlins; hot‑dip galvanized + powder‑coat.
- Envelope: Pre‑finished metal cladding, insulated roof, low‑E glazing and louvre vents.
- Exterior works: Stone‑look porcelain paving, glass pool fencing, timber privacy fencing.
- Joinery: Built‑in BBQ bench with services pre‑set in the steel.
Performance and owner benefits
- Long, column‑free openings with minimal structure create clear sightlines to the pool.
- Coastal‑grade coatings and stainless fixings reduce maintenance and repainting cycles.
- Fast off‑site fabrication shortens program and limits neighbourhood disruption.
- Pergola geometry provides shade, glare control and comfortable outdoor use year‑round.
Quality assurance
All members were check‑assembled in the factory; welds and coatings were inspected to our ITP.
Bolt grades, torque records and member IDs are traceable for future maintenance.
Packaged “kit of parts” allowed clean, low‑waste erection on a compact suburban block.
Sustainability notes
Steel is fully recyclable; prefabrication reduced site waste and deliveries.
Deep eaves, low‑E glass and ceiling fans lower cooling demand in summer.
The skillion roofs are PV‑ready with hidden conduits and fall to concealed gutters.
What we supplied
- Engineering support and connection detailing
- Fabrication drawings and numbered steel kit
- Galvanizing and architectural powder‑coat in coastal specification
- Export packing, logistics and remote/site technical guidance
Owner outcomes
The house feels open, private and weather‑ready, with spaces that are easy to live in.
The pool terrace functions as a second living room, day and night.
Durable finishes keep running costs predictable and weekends maintenance‑free.
Practical optimisation ideas (for similar projects)
- Add operable screens or external blinds to the pergola for sun and insect control.
- Integrate linear gutters and leaf guards to cut cleaning near trees.
- Pre‑plumb rainwater collection for garden taps and pool top‑up.
- Standardise sliding‑door modules to simplify future replacements or extensions.
Why choose a steel structure for homes
- Long spans with slim profiles and fast erection
- Excellent strength‑to‑weight ratio for coastal wind loads
- Precise interfaces with glazing and cladding for a crisp finish
- Galvanized and coated steel delivers reliable, low‑maintenance performance
Call to action
Planning a modern steel‑frame home or alfresco upgrade? Talk to our engineering team for concept advice, budgeting and a dependable delivery schedule.
