Building projects you’ll love, and love building together – since 1989.
Project of the month
Vaucluse Residence XV
At the very beginning of the pandemic, we were called in by Tobias Partners to look at an interesting home recently acquired by our clients, and in need of some remedial works as well as a refurbishment of the house to meet the needs of their family, with three teenage boys.
Developing the scope in close collaboration with the Tobias team along the way, we identified and remediated all the pre-existing issues, and then set about transforming this house into one of Vaucluse’s best homes, sitting directly on Kutti Beach.
Architecture by Tobias Partners
Engineeering by Partridge
Photos by Anson Smart
Beautiful Homes by Horizon
Our latest episode features our recently completed Dover Heights Residence I, designed by Quinlan Group, Cantilever Engineers, and The Design Barn.
Blog
Modern technologies like Skype, Zoom, and MS Teams have allowed us to remotely connect like never before. The pandemic forced us to learn how to do so, and we have by and large become masters at it. It allows us to be more productive, waste less time travelling between sites or offices in traffic, and even communicate more frequently than before with our stakeholders, wherever they are in the world.
But one lesson I did learn during the pandemic is that there is no substitute for being physically on site.
No technology can give you the sense of the quality going on; the safety policies being adhered to; the culture on site. Are people happy? busy? productive? One can identify and resolve issues much fatster if on site, than trying to do so online over a video camera and microphone.
The same can be said for the other stakeholders in our industry. Many designers are looking to do site meetings each fortnight or even longer in between. The argument being that their time is better served documenting or designing in their office. But that often stretches decision windows out to two weeks or more, if the solution isn’t evident, and people need to go away and think or research the answer. I would argue it’s much more beneficial to have a short meeting every week on site, than have one long meeting every two or three weeks.
It all comes down to the basics:
What do you need to know?
When do you need to know it?
The sooner we know what we don’t know, the earlier we can find the answers, the more streamlined the build process is for all. This is the guaranteed way to ensure a successful outcome for all involved. Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
Love building together!
DM
Employee of the month
This month we meet Katie Vasin, who is a Cadet in our project management team in the office, whilst also completing her degree in Construction Management @ UNSW.
How long have you been at Horizon?
2 months
What do you love about your job?
The construction industry is a forever-evolving environment to work in, and it’s great to be a part of it. What are you working on at the moment?
Currently working on a projects at Palm Beach, Vaucluse and Clareville.
What do you enjoy about working with architects and designers?
Working in a team of specialised individuals is a great way to see new perspective and to continue to evolve in my job
Where were you born?
Australia
What has been your greatest professional achievement to date?
I am at the very beginning of my career so excited to create a list of achievements soon
What’s the most useful thing you’ve learned throughout your career?
Transparency is the most important thing Three people you’d have over for a BBQ?
Kylie Mongue to sing, Gordon Ramsey to cook and Aaron Chen to make to me laugh
Favourite dessert?
Cheesecake or chocolate strawberries What do you do outside of work?
Training for a half marathon, play netball and pickle vegetables.
Recent news
Annual staff meeting
Our annual staff meeting was held on site at our Northbridge project. After a great BBQ and french pizzas, we heard an update on the business as a whole from our Managing Director, David Moses, as well as short information sessions from David Troughton, our Work, Health & Safety Consultant, and Daniel Butt from Danet Technology, with an update on Cyber Security. The afternoon was completed with an inspirational talk from Aboriginal Elder, Uncle Bo.
Multiple Awards Finalists!
We are delighted that two of our entries in the MBA NSW Excellence in Housing Awards have been voted as FINALISTS.
The event stands as the pinnacle of recognition for residential building achievements in the state. This esteemed event honors excellence, innovation, and quality within the NSW building and construction industry. The Excellence in Housing Awards serve as a platform to showcase the finest residential constructions, drawing participants from various sectors including project home builders, contract builders, apartment constructors, and builders specialising in additions, alterations, and renovations. It brings together a diverse cross-section of the residential building sector, highlighting the best and most noteworthy contributions to the industry.
Horizon have won over 15 awards in the last 13 years, demonstrating our ability to deliver the highest quality projects year in, year out!
This year’s awards evening will be at Star City on September 16th. Fingers crossed!
We are also humbled to announce that we are a finalist in the Master Builders Australia National Business Excellence Awards 2023!
The awards recognise exceptional business acumen, business improvement and resilience initiatives, innovation, and corporate responsibilities, within a business.The awards validate and celebrate the businesses which are leading the way in best practice, and which have genuinely instilled this objective into their long-term business strategy.
The awards also aim to inspire all businesses in the building and construction industry, large and small, to make excellence in best practice the foundation of their mission and brand.
The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner in Sydney on 6 Sept 2023. Watch this space!
Horizon Golf Championship
Over 100 registrations have enambled us to have already hit our goal of raising $30,000 for The Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse @ RPA.
There are still places available if you’d like to join us for a great dayt at the exclusive Terrey Hiolls Golf & Country Club.
Once again, thanks to our very generous sponsors below.
Cool Products
For a few years now, we’ve suggested to our clients that the time will come in the near future that we will need a dedicated space in our homes for drone deliveries.
Well, the future is NOW! Zipline have recently released their automated drone service that can deliver up to a 4kg package to your home, with an accuracy of a dinner plate! You have to see it to believe it.
Under Construction
We are currently building all over Sydney, from Vaucluse & Bondi to Double Bay & Point Piper in the East; Potts Point, Redfern and Darlinghurst in the inner city; Northbridge and Mosman on the Lower North Shore, and Manly, Clareville and Palm Beach on the Northern Beaches! Add to that a number of projects in the Southern Highlands, and we are very, very busy at the moment!
Horizon – Building projects you’ll love, and love building together.
Since 1989.
We’d love to speak with you about your next project.
