Laguna residences are a unique duplex designed by architect Jo Case and collaborated with by the owner Doug Neale.

Project Team
  • Designer — Jo Case and Doug Neale
  • Builder — Stringer Building Services

Instead of your typical side-by-side appearance, these two dwellings are positioned one behind the other and offset. Whilst unit 1 faces the road, they have been designed so strategically, that both capture uninterrupted views of the lake.

Both have generous green spaces with a modern courtyard, built using alternative inverted Besser blocks to give the space style and flair. This space also separates the 2 houses so that there are no joining walls.

The dwellings are simple in design using sealed standard Besser blocks as external and internal walls. Plywood ceilings with expressed grooves have been used in the living room, stairwells, and entry. Polished concrete floors have been used throughout providing a robust semi-industrial theme.

The upstairs bedrooms have square set plaster ceilings and polished Australian timber floors providing warmth and charm.

The plywood theme has been carried through to the kitchen and bathroom joinery, combined with the use of stone benchtops making this component durable and unique.

Louvre windows combined with sun hoods shade the building from the westerly sun and provides cross ventilation.

A hardwood entry on the lakeside unit keeps visitors dry on entry. Non-Slip Honed concrete entry paving and carport floors bring the indoor theme out and tie the finished product together.

Jo is very happy about the whole result and thinks that you have done a great job. She and Douglas are considering putting the project into the regional architectural awards.

We are all very grateful to have had you as our builder as you have been a delight to work with. In particular Douglas and Jo were very complementary about your ability to suggest workable details and highlight areas that needed further guidance. I always know that you understand where I am coming from and appreciate the economic constraints that I juggle.