Marika & Will
Daisy’s Hill
Location: Pyalong, Victoria, Australia
Project: First Home Build
Booken Blend Resource: BUILD It Design Pack
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 living, 2 bathrooms
A Sustainable New Home Sparked by Life’s Curveballs
2020 hit hard for Marika and Will—between Melbourne’s lockdowns, a dark & chilly home, and personal loss, it was a year that pushed everything into perspective.
So instead of waiting for the "right time," they asked themselves, why not now?
While looking for land within reach of Melbourne Airport, Marika and Will stumbled across Pyalong—a town they’d never even heard of.
One drive to a hilltop block and they were hooked. Fourteen acres sounded like a lot to these city-slickers, but the view went on forever, and something about it just clicked.
After everything 2020 had thrown at them, they figured, why wait? “Let’s do it now, not in our 40s.”
“We honestly couldn’t believe it when our offer on the land was accepted,” they said. “From there, we just had to trust that we’d work the rest out.”
And oh boy, did they work it out!
“The windows, the warmth, the view—it’s all better than I ever imagined.”
Marika and Will decided that if they were going to pour their hard-earned into a new build for their growing family, then they wanted to get it right.
Pinterest quickly became their inspo of choice, and it wasn’t long before Booken House appeared—and reappeared—on their mood board.
“It just kept popping up,” laughs Marika. “We ended up down a deep Booken Blend rabbit hole!”
The Booken House BUILD It Design Pack quickly became their go-to solution for creating an affordable, eco-friendly home. “It feels like I’m getting my dream home—without the hefty price tag of going down the architectural path,” says Marika.
Marika also credits Booken Blend with helping her uncover what really mattered most in their build—orientation and sound.
These weren’t just nice-to-haves; they became their non-negotiables. “If you haven’t downloaded the free Sustainable Build Checklist yet—do it! It really helps clarify your priorities,” she says.
But like many dream builds, theirs wasn’t without bumps. Excavation came in wildly over budget, gobbling up their contingency fund early. Bringing in clay and roadbase set them back $80k—hence the “pending” landscaping!
Building during a trade shortage was also daunting, but once underway, things moved positively.
And now, a year into living in their beautiful new home, they’re still pinching themselves.
“I didn’t grow up on land, so I will admit I’m not a fan of the bugs!” Marika laughs. “But I walk down the hallway, and I still can’t believe this is our home”.
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Skeptical at first, Marika admits she didn’t fully believe a house could feel different—until it did.
“We came from a dark, cold Melbourne house where we ran the heater for nine months of the year. Here, we only use the heater in the depths of winter and only in the morning. The passive design just works.”
— Marika, Victoria, Australia
When Boots and I visited Marika and Will in their beautiful new home, their one-year-old had just woken from a nap and was crawling across the sun-warmed concrete, happily followed by their cheeky, camera-loving French bulldog (one look at the photos and it’s clear who the star is!).
Marika and Will were busy pottering around their light-filled kitchen, perfectly designed for hosting, chatting with us while they sliced freshly baked bread and homemade glazed orange cake (yes, it tasted as amazing as it sounds).
Reflecting on life in their new home, Will summed it up perfectly:
“We love being home now. We don’t feel the need to escape anymore. It’s peaceful, comfortable—it’s ours. We’re quite houseproud!”
Marika and Will’s story is such a great reminder that good design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how a space makes you feel, every single day.
Thoughtful planning and passive solar principles made all the difference here. And honestly, I’m so glad they asked themselves, why not now?
Highlights
Highlights
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Passive Solar Design
Incorporates natural heating and cooling, reducing energy use.
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Excellent Orientation
Oriented to the North to capture the warm winter sun and exclude the harsh summer sun.
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Cross Ventilation
Strategically placed doors and windows capture prevailing breezes to help cool in summer.
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Thermal Mass Flooring
Utilizes a concrete slab to store and radiate heat, enhancing comfort.
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Low Maintenance
Features like a composite deck ensure both functionality and ease of maintenance.
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Indoor Outdoor Living
The home is designed to bring the outdoors in.
“I sit here and think, who are we? But in the best way. This home has changed our lives.”
— Marika, Victoria, Australia
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