Anna Maio, an event coordinator, is someone who likes to keep things running smoothly. Her husband Joe, with a background in building and decades of experience in pool heating, is equally hands-on and practical. Between them, they are natural project managers.
But when it came to building their dream home with Metricon, they enjoyed having a team around them to help bring everything together, even if Joe found it hard to stay too far from the action.
“Can I butt in here?” Anna says with a hearty laugh. “Joe did not take a step back. He was there all the time.”
Joe agrees. “I had a really great relationship with our site supervisor,” he says. “Without being too much of a pain, we stayed across everything as the build progressed.”
Having built three homes independently, this was their first experience working with a major home builder. For Anna and Joe, it offered reassurance, structure and support while still allowing them to stay involved in the decisions that mattered most.
“We’re not old by any stretch of the imagination, but we’re getting to that point where a big home, especially with a staircase, isn’t really suitable,” Joe says.
Originally considering bringing Anna’s mum into the home too, their plans shifted when she moved into aged care. That moment became a turning point in how they approached their next chapter.
“We thought to ourselves, we’re going to be heading down that track one day, so let’s make sure we build a home that’s accessible,” Anna says.
That forward-thinking approach led them to the single-storey Berkshire 34, a layout that has proven ideal for their evolving lifestyle. The design not only supports long-term accessibility, but also suits their current needs as their daughter Jess builds her music career.
Today, the home comfortably accommodates Jess’s instruments, including drums and other equipment, while still maintaining open, connected living spaces. With the family now living closer to the city for gigs and commitments, the single-level design has made everyday life easier and more practical.
“We built a really great space for her,” Anna says.
The couple previously lived in a larger double-storey home in Bundoora. Their decision to downsize was not just about the home itself, but also about lifestyle, location and long-term convenience.
Their new block in Reservoir came about unexpectedly.
“We drove past and saw the auction flag was up, and I said, ‘Let’s just stop and have a look,’ because the location was far better than the one we had our eye on initially,” Joe says. “It’s just around the corner from a main shopping strip, and a five-minute walk to the station and cafes, which is perfect for when we’re old and can’t drive anymore.”
They purchased it on the spot, but the existing home was well past its use-by date. When weighing up their options, the couple made a conscious decision to knock down and rebuild rather than renovate. The original home, combined with the limitations of a traditional older layout, made starting fresh the more practical and future-focused choice.
“It was very old, and if you leaned on it the wrong way, it probably would have fallen over,” Joe laughs.
Joe organised demolition himself to get things moving quickly, before working closely with Metricon’s New Home Advisor, Gabrielle, to refine the Berkshire 34 design. Gabrielle's knowledge and guidance helped them navigate floorplan changes and make confident decisions throughout the build.
“We moved the laundry from between the bedrooms and connected it to the butler’s pantry, and reduced the home from four bedrooms to three, joining two with a shared ensuite,” Joe says.
For Anna, the kitchen and butler’s pantry were central to the design.
“The kitchen was really important to me, especially the butler’s pantry,” she says. “I didn’t want a traditional main kitchen. I wanted everything to happen in the pantry, a hidden space where I can cook without worrying about the mess. I also love that we connected the laundry to it, it just makes so much sense.”
The reconfiguration also created space for a dedicated music studio and an additional bathroom, improving functionality for both family life and visiting guests.
Anna also added a personal design touch to the guest powder room.
“I wanted gold fixtures all through the home, but that was a little out of our reach, so we prioritised the powder room alongside white mosaic tiles,” Anna says. “It’s gorgeous.”
The couple were mindful about ensuring their new home complemented the surrounding suburb.
“We didn’t want to build something that felt out of place in what’s still a very traditional part of Reservoir,” Joe says.
Metricon’s façade options helped them achieve a design that feels well balanced and in context with the surrounding homes.
Once underway, the build progressed quickly.
“It only took 16 weeks from pouring the slab to handover,” he adds.
While the home came together, Anna focused on shaping the outdoor spaces, including a garden inspired by Zen design, complete with a water feature and stone Buddhas.
“It’s very calming,” she says.
Joe enjoys the finished result just as much. “I can sit here, relax, look at the garden and be very pleased with what we’ve achieved,” he says.
Plans are already underway for an outdoor kitchen, and music continues to fill the home thanks to Jess’s studio.
“My favourite place is the lounge room,” Anna says. “I have this incredible, large pink couch that overlooks the beautiful media wall that Joe built. I sit there in that space, and it really reminds me of how far we’ve come with Metricon.”
It’s a home that now fits Anna and Joe’s lifestyle perfectly, and supports the way they want to live now and into the future.
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Explore how a KnockDown ReBuild with Metricon can help you future-proof your home. Enquire with us today.