Mehdi and his wife, Elmira, are both academics at Swinburne University - she heads up the architecture department, and he teaches electrical engineering. A pair of bright minds with a clear vision for their DualOcc by Metricon journey.
We recently caught up with Mehdi to shed light on why this was the perfect choice for them. "We wanted better value from our land," he explains. "There was an old house on the block, and as a young professional family, it just wasn’t the right fit."
They loved their location in Melbourne's north-western suburb of Avondale Heights. "It’s a family-friendly area, close to Moonee Ponds with a vibrant atmosphere," Mehdi says. "It’s a hidden gem in the north-west - close to the city, with property prices holding strong."
To make the most of their block, they opted to take Metricon's KnockDown Rebuild route. They cleared the dated house and built two semi-detached, two-storey Grange 24 homes with the Santiago façade - perfect for creating their dream living space.
The design of their new home is beautifully spacious, featuring a master bedroom, expansive open-plan living area, laundry, and study all conveniently located downstairs. Upstairs, you'll find three additional bedrooms, a bathroom, and a second lounge area—creating a perfect balance between family living and personal space. And what's more, it's all mirrored in the adjoining property.
“We’ve built our life on one side, and an investment property on the other,” Mehdi shares.
One key factor in their decision to partner with Metricon was the peace of mind that came from having a set price for the project upfront, especially given the time it can take to navigate council approvals.
“That was the deal-maker,” Mehdi explains. “As a customer, you want certainty when you’re making such a big decision. Having Metricon provide a fixed price from the start was a very, very important point for us.”
As an architect, Elmira had a clear vision for their home’s design. “She’s a very particular architect,” Mehdi says with a smile. “Metricon offers great flexibility, which she loved, and our sales consultant was incredibly helpful throughout the process.”
Among their personalised touches, the couple added a fireplace and upgraded the windows to reflect their unique style. “When we have visitors, they’re always impressed,” Mehdi shares. “They’ll say, ‘You can tell this is an architect’s home.’”
One of their favourite features is having all the windows positioned on the left side of the house. “We have a fantastic view of the city and are close to great parks,” Mehdi adds.
In Mehdi’s view, Metricon’s approach to dual occupancy design stands out. “Other volume builders just don’t accommodate the same high standards of living,” he says.
“Metricon’s Grange floorplan offers four well-sized bedrooms, spread across two levels. My wife pointed out that the clever design of the U-shaped staircase allows for a downstairs bedroom, which is perfect for our parents or our son.”
One of the key benefits of having a tenant in the adjoining home is the rental income, which helps ease mortgage repayments - particularly valuable during the current cost-of-living challenges many are facing.
“We’re able to get around $900 to $1000 a week from the other home,” Mehdi explains. “In today’s environment, mortgages are tough to manage, but when I did the numbers on DualOcc, it made financial sense.”
Privacy is another advantage. “The way the homes are designed, you can’t even see the neighbours - it feels like a completely separate house,” he adds.
Their stunning home was recently on display for Metricon customers, showcasing what’s possible when you think big with a DualOcc by Metricon design.
Mehdi and Elmira couldn’t be happier with their building journey. “The process was clear from the start, and we’re really pleased with the outcome,” Mehdi says. “It’s brilliant.”
DualOcc by Metricon developments offer an exciting opportunity for investors. Contact Metricon for a site appraisal to discover how you could unlock your potential today.
