Express your rebellion through design
Create a feeling
In 1991 Kerry Packer famously stated:
”Why do you want to change the rules again? I mean, since I grew up as a boy, I would imagine that through the parliaments of Australia, from the time I was 18, 19 years of age to now, there must be 10,000 new laws being passed. And I don't really think it's that much of a better place.
And I'd like to make a suggestion to you, which I think would be far more useful, if you want to pass a new law, why don't you only do it when you've repealed an old one? I mean, this idea of just passing legislation every time someone blinks is a nonsense. Nobody knows it. Nobody understands it. You've got to be a lawyer. They've got books up to here, purely and simply to do the things we used to do. And every time you pass a law, you take somebody's privileges away from them. There's nothing wrong with minimising tax. I don't know anybody who doesn't minimise their tax.”
Now here we are in 2025:
We sit here with layers upon layers upon layers of red tape. Large property developers are chopping down thousands of trees and chopping up land into tiny pieces and building spec homes with cheap materials and flogging them off for a fortune.
This creates an opportunity for the everyday person. When most people are focused on buying a home in the suburbs, there is a rebellion taking place.
As society zigs, a small amount of people are zagging. These people are capturing elements of land and building character designs that bring a different type of feelings when inside the home. They are also buying older homes and regenerating them while maintaining the charm.
Currently we have a demand crush, a housing crisis. People will take what they can get. But when this dynamic shifts to an over supply and people are spoiled for choice what becomes more valuable? Is it the houses on tiny blocks and cheap materials or is it the unique property that is built to last with some mature trees in the yard?
To me, the answer is clear. I’m a contrarian. But everything about the repurposed old or the creative new, far exceeds the long term value of the spec generic houses.
It’s difficult initially being a contrarian in this space. You really have to back yourself in. There is no one to tell you the value, you have to see it. You have to build it, you have to bring your imagination to life. To do this is the ultimate rebellion.
The entire process you swim against the current. Obtaining finance can become more difficult, obtaining planning consent, building approval, design and architecture pose challenges and can add costs. The matrix is in full force for urban sprawl to take over.
But on the other side of this is a masterpiece that feels great to be in. A home, not a house and an economic opportunity. The perfect storm.
The marketplace are craving different, they’re paying amazing amounts to have experiences. In fact, the modern day consumerism is to have an experience. The new generation value experiences over things. They value creating memories and stories.
This does not exist in the suburbs.
The most exciting part of diving into this “community” is that it is a global shift. Even in the ancient infrastructure of Europe. Older towns that were dying, will show signs of reinvigoration.
The ultimate rebellion. The desire. The trend that will last. The new life fulfillment. It will be out of the cement jungles, the urban sprawls and into the unique, character and charming homes. Places to rejuvenate, to create, to reflect and offer introspection.
Ironically, I started a whimsical contrarian thought pattern with a quote from a billionaire. But he was right. I resonate with it. And he said it in 1991. I wonder how many new regulations have been passed since 1991 to today?
Navigate through the red tape. Get around inspiring people. Bring it together. Create great things. Lets go.
