Imagination and Austral Bricks pavers create a sophisticated outdoor entertainment area

It was the biggest makeover project yet attempted by Location Location, the Nine Network's top-rating renovation and real estate program - a brand new house to be auctioned as a fundraiser for the cash-strapped Western Bulldogs.

Austral Bricks played its part by donating pavers and design expertise. The paver laying techniques were conventional.

What set this project apart was the imaginative design that mixed and matched different paver types and materials. Two entertainment areas were created - linked by a short path - each with a distinct 'personality'.

• The clay pavers in Area 1 are accented with large concrete pavers in a contrasting colour.
• A band of Austral Bricks Signature clay pavers engraved with a striking cable pattern runs around the perimeter of this area (including the path).
• In Area 2, large concrete pavers of a different colour are arranged in a 'stepping stone' pattern in a sea of fine gravel.
• The clay pavers used in the first area are also laid here as a border, creating a visual link between the two.

The overall effect is sophisticated and structured, very much in the fashion of a Tuscan garden.

Austral Bricks products used in this project:

• Classic Autumn Red clay pavers
• Signature Cable clay pavers in Red
• Tuscan Limestone Designer Series concrete pavers
• Tuscan Firestone Designer Series concrete pavers

Area 1

Austral Bricks Classic Autumn Red clay pavers are laid in a sand bed over a base of highly compacted crushed rock. The area's shape is defined by a series of austral Bricks Design Series concrete pavers in Tuscan Limestone. Their size coordinates with the clay pavers without cutting.

A continuous band of Austral Bricks Signature Cable clay pavers travels around the perimeter including the short path leading to the adjoining area.

A sleeper step separates the two areas. The engraved Signature clay pavers change from a Cable pattern to Diamond at the corners, a neat decorative touch.

The large triangular pavers at the beveled corner are a single unit cut diagonally by a brick-cutting service.

Area 2

Austral Bricks Design Series concrete pavers in Tuscan Firestone are dotted in a very regular stepping-stone pattern across this area, contrasting with the blue-tinged fine gravel.

The area is edged with a stretcher course (that is, short sides together) of Austral Bricks Classic Autumn Red clay pavers bedded in mortar. Using the same colour clay pavers as the adjoining area creates a visual link.

A bed of crushed rock has been compacted and leveled over the entire area. Using stringlines to ensure an even pattern, the large pavers have been laid in a thin mortar bed to secure their position. These pavers are a similar colour to the clay pavers.