The Block 2021: Josh and Luke

We get to know Josh and Luke – Identical twins from Sydney and take a look at all their completed Block home.

Josh and Luke - The Block 2021

Australia first got to know Josh and Luke when they made their television debut on Love Island Australia in 2019. But will their charisma be enough to get them through the rough and tumble of The Block? That remains to be seen.

The twins say they wouldn’t do The Block with anyone else by their side.

Experience:

When it comes to renovation experience, it’s fair to say Josh and Luke are the most inexperienced Blockheads in the program’s history.

While massive fans of the show, neither have renovated before. But they see this as an advantage because other contestants may dismiss them and not realise they are fierce competitors.

“We might be the juniors and not have much renovating experience, but we are going to give it our best shot,” Luke says.

While massive fans of the show, neither have renovated before but it looks like their parents had these cuties on the tools early!

Josh - Studying mental health

Josh has worked in sales and the corporate world before he headed to the Love Island villa in Fiji in 2019. He ended up finding love and winning the show alongside Anna McEvoy and moved to Melbourne to be with her.

After giving the relationship a really good shot, the pair amicably split last year during Covid-19 lockdown.

Josh quarantined in Darwin at the Howard Springs facility and moved back to Sydney to live with his parents where he realised his purpose.

Mental Health now is his passion and he is studying and looking to inspire others.

“I suffered a lot with social anxiety growing up and to have come through it, it would be great to pass that message on to other people,” he says.

Australia first got to know Josh and Luke when they made their television debut on Love Island Australia in 2019

Luke - Synthetic grass installer

In starting up his own synthetic grass installing business, The Block has come at a perfect time for Luke.

He is looking to settle down after becoming engaged to his fiancé Oliva and hopes The Block will set them up for the future.

Luke plans on spending most of his time on the tools on The Block because of his trade background, however he isn’t afraid to lend his eye for style and offer an opinion to Josh when it comes to shopping.

“I do backyards, so hopefully we will win backyard week… if we don’t it will be really disappointing!” he says. “As for the other rooms, wish us luck!”

Together:

The twins say they wouldn’t do The Block with anyone else by their side.

They know they will bicker at times, but they always get over it and support each other as families do.

“We can be really angry at each other and then five minutes later we are sweet with each other. Blood is thicker than water and we will show people that,” Luke says.



They know they will bicker at times, but they always get over it and support each other as families do - we can't wait to watch these two tackle The Block!

Fast facts about Josh and Luke

• The twins grew up and live in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
• Luke once tried out for the Royal Marine Commandos.
• Luke was once a champion 400m runner making the national finals in the Under 20 category with a personal best of 48 seconds.
• Josh has 164,000 followers on Instagram, the most of any 2021 The Block contestant.

Josh & Luke

House 4.

Josh and Luke have the blank slate on The Block.

Luke and Olivia

In October 2021 Luke has announced on Instagram that he is expecting a baby girl due in March 2022 with his fiancée Olivia. "I cannot wait for this new chapter in my life and what fatherhood will bring," Luke posted to his fans. Twin brother Josh has also expressed his excitement sharing the news. Congratulations guys!

(Picture Instagram: @luke.packham) 

WEEK 1
Block Guest Bedroom Reveal
Second Place

Josh and Luke's created a dark palette bachelor-pad style guest bedroom taking out second place.

With its dark colour palette accentuated by a beautifully styled bed against a soft-padded wall and bold glass-fronted Kinsman cabinetry, Josh and Luke’s guest bedroom is, the judges decided, sexy, cool and very different room. “Spot-on gentlemen,” said Shaynna admiring the perfectly styled bed that took the bachelor-pad look to a new level. For Darren, it was the “big architectual decisions, such as the huge bi-fold doors that worked best, and he can’t wait to see what they’ll open out to when the rest of the house is built.

WEEK 2
Block Master Bathroom Reveal
Last Place


Josh and Luke created a dark and spacious bathroom.

From the dark colour choices, Venetian plaster feature wall and ceiling to the massive shower screen, varied metals in fixtures and unusual chocolate and cheese styling on the bath caddy, this was a room that polarised the judges. Too large? Too generic? Too dated? They all had criticisms, but even they all agree on one thing. As a Jack-and-Jill bathroom to service not only the guest room already in place but a future room planned on the other side, the size was enough that things would never feel cramped.

WEEK 3
Block Master Bedroom Reveal
First Place! Congratulations!!

Congratulations Josh and Luke on taking out the win in this crucial Block week.

One of the most controversial choices of The Block so far, Josh and Luke were always heading for controversy when they flipped the original intent and placed their master suite where the double garage had been aimed, but did it work? Oh yes! Spacious, light soaked, separated from the rest of the house with it’s own view to the courtyard, the judges finally saw why the twins had put themselves through so much. Architecturally clever enough to forgive the obvious styling flaws (fake flowers, guys? Really?), it’s fresh, sophisticated and puts the pair back in the game, Neale said.

BLOCK WEEK 4
Basement week - Home Cinema
Last Place

Josh and Luke have created a traditional home cinema experience complete with Iron Man.

Forget the cinema, the boys went all out this week to create a multi-media space where movies might be one option, but certainly not the only one! Flanked by a snack and drinks station and huge Iron Man sculpture, the big screen faces a bank of comfy reclining viewing couches with an emphasis here on fun, the perfect place for gaming, watching sport with friends or just relaxing. Architecturally, it was the ceiling that impressed the judges most, with the stepped design practical for lighting as well as beautiful. And although smaller than some of their neighbours, this space, Neale summed up, is eccentric and amusing!

Block Week 5
Master Ensuite
Score: 28 ½ /30
Second Place (due to that damn gnome point)

Shaynna described Luke and Josh's bathroom as “Real estate gold,”  congratulations boys!

Walking through the wardrobe to a hidden oasis, the judges were immediately impressed by Josh and Luke’s styling choices in a room that marries their master bedroom to a secluded garden creating something the judges were definitely not expecting – a master wing. “We’ve been transported from a wardrobe to something much better than Narnia!” Darren said as he took in the room Shaynna described as: “Real estate gold!” And at the centre of it all was the huge outdoor bathtub, a choice all agreed was controversial (especially with Melbourne’s winters) but managed to work so well.

 




Take a close look and shop Josh and Luke's indoor/outdoor bathroom at The Block Shop.

Block Week 6
BEDROOM & RE-DO WEEK
Last Place

From the highs of the master wing to the lows of this bedroom, Josh and Luke’s roller-coaster Block ride continues with the judges declaring this space a mismatch of style with a colour palette that’s too cold. Some fresh styling was needed, the judges agreed, to bring it into line with the rest of the home, which led them into the re-do bathroom. Once again the styling and colour palette wasn’t what the judges were hoping for, with the floor to ceiling toilet screen the only obvious change… and not one they loved.





The judges declaring this space a mismatch of style with a colour palette that’s too cold. What do you think?


The floor to ceiling toilet screen was the only obvious change from Josh and Luke…but we sure love that egg cup stool!

View Josh and Luke's room and shop all the details.

Block Week 7
Kitchen Reveal
Score: 26 /30
Spent: $33,024
Third Place

Josh and Luke created a stylish and refreshing black and white kitchen.

Dominated by a huge window to the tree-filled yard, Josh and Luke’s Kitchen shows the twins have bounced back after recent losses and learned from their mistakes. Black and white cabinetry softened by a Christian Cole timber benchtop feature, glass doors to showcase the artfully-styled interiors with a walk-in pantry for storage, state-of-the-art appliances and an island bench with more than enough space for prep and entertaining, it all added up to a welcome return to form. “It’s sexy and refreshing!” Neale said.







The boy's kitchen featured black and white cabinetry softened by a Christian Cole timber benchtop.

View Josh and Luke's refreshing kitchen and shop all the details online here.

Block Week 8:

Living & Dining Reveal

Score: 22 ½ /30

Spent: $37,367

Last Place


Josh and Luke have created a huge heart of their Block home.

If it’s space the judges were after, they’d come to the right place, with Josh and Luke’s free-flowing dining and living area taking full advantage of the open plan area the twins have created for a huge heart of the home. From the bright sofa, Christian Cole dining table, bar area and more, this is a space where statement pieces feel right at home. But is it too big? Perhaps, said Neale, who thought it was “aircraft-hanger sized” and filled with design errors he feels might have been caused by confusion over how best to use the space. One solution, Darren says, could be to flip the dining and living areas, an idea that Shaynna whole heartedly supports.

 
Darren suggested the boys could flip the dining and living areas, an idea that Shaynna whole heartedly supports.


This is a space where statement pieces feel right at home.


We love the stunning round Christian Cole dining table the twins selected.


View Josh and Luke's living and dining space and shop all the statement pieces online here.

Block Week 9
Laundry powder room and hallway
Score: 18 ½/30
Spent: $29,504
Last Place

Josh and Luke made the most of hellweek to tie their home together… At least the parts they managed to finish!

It took a lot of work – and a lot of argument from the judges – but after flipping spaces and fixing the layout, Josh and Luke made the most of Hellweek to tie their home together… At least the parts they managed to finish! The main hallway with six doors leading off it, a powder room that was still to be completed disappointed, but the laundry at the end was worth the trip, a spacious, well-appointed room deemed one of the best the twins had delivered.

 
The laundry was deemed one of the best rooms the twins had delivered.


A powder room that was still to be completed disappointed the judges.

View Josh and Luke's hallway and laundry rooms online in detail here.

Block Week 9 - Backyard & Pool Reveal
Score: 28/30
Spent: $53,538
Joint Second Place

Josh and Luke should be proud of their achievements this week creating an amazing backyard.

An “almost Japanese simplicity” awaited the judges in Josh and Luke’s backyard, with a long pool featuring arching fountains surrounded by Outdure decking, a Venetian plaster feature wall, barbecue and dining area and “sculptural, sophisticated” Dragon trees all combining to create what Darren happily called: “The crescendo to the house” and the perfect outlook to the controversial flipped master wing. Shaynna added her cheers at the perfect planting, perfect lighting and just around the corner, the biggest fire pit so far and even a kennel, complete with puppy inside!

We love Josh and Luke's long pool featuring arching fountains surrounded by Outdure decking.

Darren happily called Josh and Luke's backyard “the crescendo to the house” and the perfect outlook to the controversial flipped master wing.


Shaynna Blaze loved the twins fire pit area with gorgeous planting and perfect lighting.


Josh and Luke even included a modern kennel made by a social enterprise company focused on providing employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities.


View Josh and Luke's incredible pool and Bronte Court backyard in detail HERE.

Block Week 9 - Garage, study and wine cellar

Score: 8/30
Last Place

Josh and Luke have had a big week getting through their spaces with many still to be finished!

The polished floor, mural featuring race tracks of the world and a door-within-a-door all combines to welcome the judges into Josh and Luke’s garage, a single car space and storage, complete with a plumbing stack from the master bedroom that was moved! Inside, there was less to see, with the build still underway and the only visible change a plaster render the judges all agreed was not their favourite. Neither was the study/bedroom that felt cramped, but at least the basement brought back their smiles, with a great wine storage solution and kitchenette. Unfinished again, but at least a starting point.

The judges felt Josh and Luke's study/bedroom was cramped.

Josh and Luke's single car garage with storage space.


We love this 4Ddoor and you can WIN one by entering the 10K giveaway HERE.



The basement brought back the judges smiles, with a great wine storage solution and kitchenette.


Take a close look at Josh and Luke's garage and cellar areas and shop the details online HERE

Final week! Front garden and front facade reveal:

Score: 24.5/30

Fourth Place

The judges called it “Simple, structural elegance!”

“Simple, structural elegance!” said the judges as they walked up Josh and Luke’s driveway and the praise didn’t stop there. From the mature olive tree standing against the grey rendered wall to the inviting front doorway and offset front yard, with a secluded workout space to one side, this was the ideal way to represent the best of what the twins had delivered inside, Darren said. The front wall, however, was a jarring rustic note in an otherwise minimalist modern space, but overall the façade, with its soaring skyline and modern outlook, left them smiling.

Take a close look at Josh and Luke's Front Garden & Facade HERE

House 4 - updated and tweaked rooms we didn't get to see!




Josh and Luke reworked the basement cinema and bar area.




The rendered wall is looking much better!




Josh and Luke's updated entry.

Block Auctions - Josh & Luke

House 4 Josh & Luke

Reserve $3,400,000 sold for $3,930,00.00 ($530,000 profit)

In a result that vindicated the decision to swap their garage and master suite, Josh and Luke came in at second place, splitting $530,000 in prizemoney after selling their contemporary four-bedder for $3.93 million.

Catch up on everything Josh and Luke HERE

View and shop Josh and Luke's Block rooms HERE

Everything you need to know about The Block 2021 HERE