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Don’t let a sloping block stop you from building your dream home.

Sloping blocks provide you with an incredible freedom to create a home that compliments the land it sits on and the surrounding scenery.

Adopt a more creative approach by ensuring that space is fully utilised throughout your home. Maximise the usability of your home by following the gradual ‘fall’ of the lot with staggered open plan living spaces that are brimming with natural light.

Open up to stunning views and free-flowing breezes.

The natural elevation of your land opens it up to stunning vistas and copious amounts of natural light. Each sloping site is unique, and we carefully consider the site’s gradient, position, drainage needs and outlook before putting pencil to paper. Your new custom home is tailored specifically for the way you and your family interact with your living spaces, and how you plan to enjoy your land.

Our architectural designers and experienced builders are here to guide you through every step of the sloping block house design process, from envisioning your down-slope house plans to including your personal touches. This careful design process will be evident from the moment you walk through the front door of your new home for the first time, and every day after that.

Why build on a sloping block?

Some of the most spectacular homes in Sydney can be found on sloping sites; overlooking our oceans, rivers and lakes, urban outlooks or nestled amongst treetops. So where do you begin when it comes to building a custom home on your sloping site?

VIEWS

Make the most of any stunning views over bush, city or beach.

FRESH AIR

The right design on a sloping site can capture beautiful prevailing breezes.

LIGHT & COMFORT

Designs can be positioned to optimise natural light and warmth.

LOCATION

Sloping sites can unlock new opportunities in highly desirable locations.

SIZE & SPACE

Multiple levels or layers can provide significant interior space.

VALUE

Sloping blocks can often be purchased for a comparatively lower purchase price, helping to offset any additional construction costs.

Why build with a custom home builder?

Not many builders build on sloping blocks; largely because every sloping site is unique. Adapting an existing standard design from a builder can mean compromising on important features.

With a custom designer like Wincrest Bespoke, your home design is designed from the ground up to maximise the space, layout, outlook and natural topography for your specific site. There is no compromise, because the design is entirely customised to suit your land and your lifestyle.

Wincrest Bespoke specialises in designing and building on sites with slopes of up to 7 metres and greater, throughout Sydney’s Northern Suburbs, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and Beaches, Central Coast, Sutherland Shire and Western Sydney.

What you need to know about slopes.

Before we talk design, it’s important to first understand the nature of a sloping site and the typical construction methods that suit each type of incline.

How a slope can shape a design

Depending on the fall profile of your site, there are a number of different construction methods that we consider for your custom build.

Flat to slight slopes

These slopes can vary from a 0° to 6° slope. A single slab is typically suitable until a slope of about 4°, above which one or more level changes may be recommended.

Moderate slopes

Moderate slopes have a slope of 6° to 12°. Most designs will employ either two or more foundation slabs, or use a combination of part slab and part bearers and joist construction.

Steep slopes

Steep slopes can be anywhere from 12° to 18°. Designs on these sites will typically be bearers and joist construction. Depending on the site and design, the design may include a concrete slab foundation on the lower level.

Extreme slopes

These slopes are upward of 18°. Suspended or bearers and joist construction is typical, and working with a specialist sloping site builder is essential.

Understanding subsurface and surface.

Drainage is one of the key factors your builder will consider while analysing your sloping block.

Why is drainage important?

On a sloping site, it’s not enough to simply add a foundation and build a beautiful home on top. Rainfall and stormwater can behave differently on slopes, and as such drainage for both needs to be carefully planned for your custom build.

  • Surface water can be directed away from structures using methods such as grading, channels and surface inlet points. Roof water could be stored in rainwater detention tanks or piped offsite.
  • Subsurface water should be carefully managed to minimise dampness, and effectively diverted away from footings, basements and retaining walls.
  • Stormwater runoff must also be able to flow via a pit or drain and connect to the legal point of discharge close to or within the property.

There are set requirements to be met when it comes to drainage, and a reputable architectural designer and builder will consult with the appropriate professionals to ensure the right solution for your new home design.

Why is drainage important?

Soil conditions can be just as unique as the site’s inclination. The presence of clay, sand or rock require special consideration. Once again, your choice of custom home builder will ensure your stunning new home design is ideally suited to your site conditions – and that earthwork costs are kept to a minimum.

Design ideas for different slopes.

The orientation of your site can play a deciding factor in the design of your home. Here, we explore the difference between downslope, upslope and sideslope sites, and how they inspire design.

Example 1

A double storey design on a down-slope site

Your front elevation may look quite streamlined, while an open rear elevation can be a great opportunity to maximise views from rooms and balconies at the back of the home.

Example 2

A triple storey design on an up-slope site

With a multi storey design on an up-slope, one of the upper levels will typically open up to the back yard.