in(design)

The site was selected as a key urban infill site due to its proximity to Northbridge (within 700m) and the CBD (less than 1.5km away). Tucked away in the low to medium density fringe of the City, the location provides the benefit of a leafy outlook over Stuart Street Reserve. Residents to the building will have at their fingertips a multitude of nearby bars, restaurants and cafes to enjoy. The architecture team has designed with the occupants well-being in mind. Voids that connect the floors vertically provide natural light and ventilation to common areas. Extensive green spaces throughout have been designed with the assistance of Landscape Architect (CAPA) to provide a valuable link with nature.

Sitting prominently on a raised corner block on Fremantle’s oceanside Marine Terrace, this project is a simple yet sculptural rear addition to our clients’ heritage brick cottage. Built for a couple with adult children, the house reflects their casual and warm lifestyle in its planning, materials and detailing. Grafted to a house with a traditional central corridor and discrete rooms, the extension’s planning is simple, with a north facing dining and kitchen area on the ground floor, and master bedroom suite with balcony on the second floor. A generous day lit staircase joins the two levels and caps the extension, a back door leading to a small storeroom and outdoor parking space beyond. The two-storey brick volume is ‘carved’ into, with large openings recessed into the elevation, chamfered walls creating angular shadows across the textured white bricks and revealing a softer internal layer of timber.

Following the completion of the Rockingham Foreshore Master Plan (2015) Place Laboratory has been commissioned to develop the detailed design for three key public realm spaces on the Rockingham foreshore. Extensive community consultation and place activation planning have been used to inform the design of Beach Plaza, a new high performance public square, that together with the redevelopment of the foreshore board walk and historic Railway Terrace will create a new civic heart and tourism destination for Rockingham. The design team worked with the community to understand the natural and cultural character of the site and develop a place activation plan and design narrative to enhance and extend the unique characteristics inherent to the site. The design seeks to connect the city to the sea, create a place of celebration with a relaxed character that is young at heart. As project and design leader Place Laboratory has been responsible for the design of beach boardwalk and terraces, beach bowl amphitheatre, look out, custom furniture, shade structures and extensive planting design throughout the project.

Railway Square is a new public space located at the Railway Workshops in Midland. The square is located in the former shunting yards when trains were shunted into and out of the workshops and is recognised as an important twentieth century industrial heritage site of state and national significance. Railway Square has received numerous awards including the AILA WA Award of Excellence for Civic Landscape, AILA WA Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage and the WE-EF After Dark WA/NT/SA Award celebrating the best of Australian landscape architectural lighting. Under the guidance of the MRA and a design team lead by PLACE Laboratory, Railway Square is being transformed into a new civic heart for Midland, providing a destination public space surrounded by restaurants, cafes, a hotel, apartments and the heritage listed buildings. The design of the square brings together storytelling and place activation to create an inviting space for everyday use by locals and a high-performance event space capable of hosting larger events for the broader community. Set against the historical backdrop of Block One, the design of Railway Square interprets the former use of the space through industrial materials, custom rail furniture, artworks and interpretative rail lines that run through the space. The rail lines have been designed to tell the stories of the site: The Live Line is an existing live railway line that is integrated into the design of the square to allow trains to access the site and workshops during special events. The Social Line brings to life the rich social history of the former workers and their families and includes a line of rail furniture for sitting, lounging, playing and meeting. The Water Line is a linear misting and lighting feature that references the history of steam engines and movement of trains through the site. The History Line consists of an interpretive artwork set between the rail tracks that tells the history of state wide rail connections from the site and the shunting of the rail carts on the site. The Lost Line is a rail line that disappears into a garden bed of a development site interpreting the decline of the workshops in the 1990s and the re-purposing of the site for a new community. The combination of the interpretive lines together with a large-scale shelter constructed of recycled timber from the workshops, custom lighting and furniture, transplant trees, event infrastructure and an industrial material palette creates a contemporary civic and event space for Midland and surround communities.

The Peppermint Grove Bungalow is an interwar property with Tudor and Spanish mission elements on a generous lot in a riverside location. It has been extensively altered over its life with mixed results, however enough of its charm remained for the owners to want to make it work for their busy young family. The renovation involved the untangling of the existing living areas through rationalising openings, connecting living spaces to one another and better connecting to the gardens beyond. New finishing to the floors, plus additional elements including screens, mirrors and furnishings create an overarching design language that is sophisticated, comfortable, contemporary and sympathetic to the original.

Owston Hill is a unique case study project built to illustrate to power of fusing architectural flair, builders craft and interior curation together as one. Inspired by the modernist aesthetic - a timeless and enduring style steeped in the built heritage of the best Mosman Park has to offer. The homes are crafted to make the most of their glorious natural setting - a leafy parkland aspect, roof deck ocean and river views, drenched in northern winter sunlight and cooling summer breezes. The layout and spaces can adapt to a range of living and working needs through all life phases - from the tight focus of a young family, the privacy needs of a growing teenage clan or the downsizer looking for more generous space in low maintenance surrounds. The interior finishes and fittings are befitting the best of contemporary style and timeless quality. KEY MATERIALS: • Riverside homes in Mosman Park were largely developed in the 1950’s and 60’s where the location and setting resulted in many of the cities finest architecturally designed modernist homes. Many utilised face brick in new and creative ways never seen in Perth, despite it being the historic building material of choice. Sadly many of those modernist homes that experimented with the materiality and craft of brick are now lost and replaced with rendered McMansions; • through the collaboration with Brickworks the Owston Hill project utilises a common special Bowral Brick - Chillingham White throughout the homes as its binding feature element; and • it seeks to revive the awareness of the creative use of brick in variety of forms and laying patterns to illustrate the utility of a single brick material and showcase the craft of bricklaying. An honest materiality and modest scale of dwelling consistent with its modernist roots. Unique Brick and Block • the entry backdrop to the home is a 20m long x 3m high curved brick wall which links continuously from the interior living space to the exterior alfresco and courtyard space beyond; • a bold interior use of internal face brick, it provides a strong visual element that joins inside and out as a singular space enhancing the sense of scale and light as well as amplifying the lush greenery of the courtyard space and adjoining parkland view; • the primary visual element is then punctuated by a zig zag outdoor fireplace and matched fencing detail that closes out and privatise the space from the street with some texture and surprise; and • the final element is a curved face brick balustrade and rooftop planter box enclosing the 3rd level rooftop deck with its panoramic river and ocean views - the cherry on top. SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES : • Tesla battery system - Owston Hill has invested in the latest solar generation and battery storage technology to offer residents both energy savings and a sustainable lifestyle. The 6.5kw system was designed and installed by Bradford Energy with 22 x 295kw All Black Canadian Solar panels, Fronius inverter and most...

FAST FACTS: • 3x 2 residence, three stories including undercroft garage. • East-West block orientation • Block Size: 481m2 (11m frontage) • Completed Aug 2017 • Contemporary build style SUMMARY: This great Cottesloe street is all about families, so the kitchen is at the front with a skateboard entry to the neighbour-friendly bar. A parents’ retreat with private sweeping views over the Cottesloe pine trees with curved robes and ensuite is a beautiful haven from busy young boys. The owners are keen and capable entertainers and so there is also a pizza oven, pool pavilion and undercroft parking for three cars. The beachside family home puts the neighbourliness back into the architecture of suburban homes. A proud and curved natural timber clad facade not only exuding the relaxed and natural confidence of its leafy seaside setting but opening itself up to the busy street life with street front kitchen, table bar and home office nook. Opening itself up to the many friends and neighbours and contributing to the life and personality of the street in a supersized and carefully programmed re-interpretation of the great tradition of the front veranda. The design employs a sloping pavilion form, optimising northern light and providing variety of dramatic internal volumes. A respectful response to the light and amenity of all neighbors and a contrast to prevalent local temptation to build to all corners of a site. This project explores: Material – • Earthy combination of off form concrete, timber cladding and steel/glass north face aperture - relaxed and durable response to the coastal setting; • Breeze brick insertions for privacy effect and connection to the beach shack vernacular Structural form - • A seed like form with a tight and efficient two storey massing with a long tapering tail;- hidden undercroft with vintage car and workshop, downstairs living, kitchen, home office and private court space and upstairs private parents retreat; • Sloping east west pavilion with double void light filled living spaces sloping down to quirky and curvaceous childrens bedroom, laundry and bathroom spaces. Urban consolidation - • Prioritising neighbourliness over privacy - bringing socialisiation back to our streets with a modern twist on the traditional veranda. Predominance of glazing including a giant operable tilt window a deliberate programming of the most active parts of the home - kitchen, office and streets side alfresco - into the street environment; • A return to modesty in family home design - a sustainable response to a low density setting, preserving the light filled and treed amenity often being eroded by overbuilding and poor dwelling placement; and • Integration of home business as a street front element with the functional and social benefits

A home for a growing young family, one in which they can enjoy and grow into for years to come. The program includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious living and outdoor dining area. With an advantageous northern block orientation, we hinged the design decisions around making the most of it, to create thermally comfortable and functional living areas. The living space comprising kitchen, dining and lounge is rectangular in form and runs in a north-south orientation with the length of the block. Pushed to the west, it allowed for an eastern courtyard that opens to the kitchen allowing morning sun to flow through. Dividing this courtyard and the garden is a covered outdoor dining room, having the dual aspect of both green spaces. The first floor houses the parents' bedroom and ensuite, separated from the rest of the house that also grabs those city views, best seen at night. It is a common request from clients to orientate the design toward a view, if there is indeed a view to be had. The term 'view' in the context of Perth generally means glimpses of the city skyline, the river, or the ocean. In many cases, we believe a view is overrated. Do we sit and stare at the view? Perhaps what we really crave is the feeling of being in a certain place, smelling the sea or feeling a cooling breeze. Sensory sensations that locate us in whatever location we happen to be. For this home, the owners agreed that we dismiss the idea of an 'upside down' house in order to capture city views from the living areas, in favour of a ground floor living that has strong connections to the garden.

It's nice when the brief calls for a larger backyard than house. Too often the building footprint consumes most of the site, leaving little room for mother nature. Considered and designed outdoor spaces enhance interior spaces, every time. Whether it is a leafy outlook or a truly functional outdoor living space, not simply 'what's leftover on the block'. A bedroom window that stares into a colorbond fence?... none of that here. It takes a brave and confident client to decide to build on a smaller footprint than what is permitted, eschewing the whole 'design for resale' who-ha that proliferates Perth. Building setbacks are large here, with the extension hugging the original cottage tightly, and retaining an essentially square floor plan. The client designed and constructed the garden spaces themselves. It has one of the most impressive veggie gardens we have seen, a fire pit, outdoor dining, and brick planters holding a variety of natives that are slowly creeping around the building and making themselves at home.

A vertical community with a 7.5 star energy rating, Folio 195 is a new take on social housing with sophisticated yet affordable homes that challenges established norms of apartment design and living. Working closely with the Department of Communities and the developer PEET, the development was designed not just as a place to live but as a place to connect with people. Rooftop communal spaces include a cinema, indoor and outdoor dining areas and gymnasium. At ground level, a cafe and co-working hub provided a public interface with the street and included a bike store, UAT, male and female toilets, end-of-trip facilities and accessible carbays. Pier Street has an established history connecting it with the print form and news media. The government print hall was located on Pier street. The West Australian Newspaper, the Sunday Times, The Australian and the Community News suite of papers have all been located in this precinct over time. The site therefore has a connection with not only the mechanical printing of news, but also the collection and curating of information. These two influences have guided the built form and spatial planning to create a new built form typology which is timeless, beautiful and practical. We have focussed on an honesty of building materials, space planning and servicing which is expressive, raw and elegant.

A project for a fly-in fly-out worker with a modest budget and a desire to create a home that provides a place of recuperation and solace, yet is equally enmeshed within the client's chosen context in the diverse suburb of Fremantle. The call was for a robust dwelling using materials that provided a sense of grounding, a constancy in contrast to the flux of the client's professional life. The result is a compact home that spirals from an introverted brick base, upward through an equally inward-looking first floor, to a roof-level terrace, which connects the dwelling to its surrounds. To maintain the client's budget, the material palette consists of unassuming materials and off-the-shelf components. Collectively, however, they orchestrate a private residence tailored to a specific individual and his friends.

A project comprising the inhabitation of a roof space. Our clients approached us to remedy a situation where an existing double storey extension at the rear of the property failed to take advantage of views toward the ocean, nor did it harness prevailing breezes or north-light. Their desire was to push west within the existing roof space, to culminate in a roof terrace behind the existing shopfront parapet. The result is a ‘floating’ mezzanine home-office space, pulled back from the edges of the building to funnel daylight to the ground floor and create spatial connection between the levels. The existing roof was ‘raised’ to accommodate the new program and re-clad in a contemporary material to signal the intervention. External louvred sun shades allow controlled solar ingress through operable glazed roof sections, which also augment cross ventilation. The existing second storey at the rear of the site was wrapped in a new cloak and given a privacy screen to manage overlooking to the eastern neighbour. Internally, white predominates to provide a neutral backdrop to the clients’ collection of colourful objects and art. This project represents the present moment in the life of a structure that has been operating for more than 100 years. Originally as a shop, then as a home, now re-modelled as a series of flexible spaces to serve as a temporary residence for our clients, with the ability to switch to an office without modifications in a few years.

Block Branding relocated their business into a converted mechanics workshop in North Perth. The move prompted an update of their company’s own brand and identity and a modest one-room extension to this building created an opportunity for Bosske to present this brand to the street. Taking our cues from the service station next door, it became a unique advertising opportunity, where architecture and signage conflate. Unlike the traditional ‘fitout = identity’, Block’s identity spills into the streetscape. The building’s original life as Christ Cream Motors workshop created a large setback from the street for carparking and results in an unfortunate street address for a new commercial business. Our design concept was to link the building with the street using an iconic starburst figure, a form that has become synonymous with advertising, art and pop culture. The shape is applied to the building and carpark using a process of perspectival projection where the result creates multiple architectural opportunities; an industrial saw-tooth room, a trellis wall, a courtyard, and a new pathway to the entry, connecting the building to the street. Brick construction is synonymous with Perth and a quick tour around the neighbourhood made it an easy material choice. Fitting this dynamic shape with bricks however meant getting bricks to do things they don’t normally do. Cut at odd angles or cantilevering upwards and outwards – the shape reduces the brick to an infill pattern, perhaps like the screen print of a Lichtenstein artwork. Four styles of brickwork fill the projecting forms to achieve mass, colour and texture with moments of unexpected weightlessness. Inside, the office planning is divided into three zones – the welcoming front of house; the meeting areas and amenities; and working areas and storage to the back. Block previously inhabited a 350sqm office space, but careful planning of the headquarters has increased the number of workstations and overall amenity in a total floor area of just 200sqm. It’s a new working model for the business and the transparency and variety of social areas, including the waiting lounge, tea room and boardroom mean that most are multipurpose – doing more with less.

The site was selected due to its proximity to the beach (within 300m), the rapidly developing South Fremantle café strip and the Fremantle City Centre (less than 2km away). The key design goal was to achieve an energy and cost efficient, sustainable building. As a whole, the building achieves a 4-Star energy rating, making it one of Western Australia’s most environmentally friendly residential developments. Another key design feature is the use of raw industrial materials, which was inspired by the South Fremantle locale and distinctly “Fremantle” warehouse feel.

The wonderful landscape with mature trees has been preserved, while the steep topography has been transformed from a barrier into an attractive usable place. New places and connections have been made that support fun and play, encourage increased visitation, build community and provide numerous positive effects on the mental and physical health of users to meet the social and emotional needs of the people who study and work on campus. To some extent, the ‘concourse-like’ condition of the building façades collectively turned their back on the key public space. A redesigned edge condition facilitates stopping and interacting within the space and the functions within the buildings.

FAST FACTS: • Single story holiday home with provision to sleep up to 14 people • East-West block orientation • Block Size: 2001m2 (17m frontage) • Completed Dec 2017 • Modern/Contemporary build style SUMMARY: A holiday house for former clients on untouched, undulating land scattered with peppermint trees - beach to the front and inlet to the rear. With enough space for multiple families or couples, this house is designed to maximise occupancy while remaining extremely compact. Two bedroom wings link into a central living pod, keeping almost all the trees, framing the views and creating a feeling of ‘holiday’. Close to the beach, this house features two separate and fully-equipped family wings, a central living zone and integrated bunk beds and sleeping space for 14 people. Taking advantage of the WA coastal climate there is also an indoor/outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower, fire pit, open fireplace, window reading seat and garage.

Sustainability runs through to the bones in this house, literally. Even the timber used in the wall studs and the cabinetry carcasses are 'FSC certified'. It's easy to forget these materials that are hidden from view, but when an owner is serious about sustainability and is prepared to invest in them it results in a greater sustainable outcome. The building is clad in recycled spotted gum, with the intention of it 'silvering' over time. A minimal amount of grey stain was added when sealing this timber, to promote a more even weathering (as some walls receive more sun than others). Large slimline water tanks are tucked along the south of the site, with a greywater system providing water to the garden and toilets. 'Green' concrete was used for the ground floor slab, which was then lightly polished to a 'salt and pepper' finish. Solar panels are fitted to the first-floor roof, with provision for future battery storage. There is no air-conditioning in the home, meaning louvres and windows are strategically placed to capture the cooling south-westerly breezes, together with ceiling fans to move the air around. The ground floor walls are 'reverse brick veneer' construction, a wall type which is highly suited to Perth's temperate climate. The inner wall leaf is made from grey utility bricks, with no applied finish, allowing it to contribute to the thermal mass of the home. Extensive glazing to the north of the living wing is shaded precisely to allow maximum winter sun penetration and zero summer penetration. The angled ceiling over this living wing assists further in bringing that desirable light deep into the floor plan.

MJA obtained DA approval in December 2017 for a unique corner site within Parkside Walk, Jolimont - a joint re-development between LandCorp and the town of Cambridge. CIRQUE is a substantial development, one of the first within an area of transition; transition from the highway commercial lined leafy suburbia of Mt Pleasant, through to the well-located Canning Bridge Activity Centre. With this transition comes a complexity, bridging between the extant past and unrealised future scale, bulk, language and form. This scheme is adept in this regard. The street level interface is well-controlled by a lower activated podium element relating to the adjacent single residential and low-level commercial, and further striated to a pedestrian human scale. Adopting an unusual triangular bow-tie plan form, the tower element allows for controlled view corridors, with the geometry both protecting these views into the future, providing its own space and relief within the future high-density environment. Internally the design is both legible and generous. Ground-floor community spaces and podium level apartments are well planned and detailed, belying their duty of sleeving and concealing car parking behind. The tower apartments are well planned, with particular attention to maximising views from habitable rooms, creating well-proportioned and furnishable spaces, providing balconies and outdoor spaces that are open but remain protected from wind. The environmental credentials of this building also set it apart as an exemplar. 2020 - UDIA National Awards for Excellence - High Density Development Award 2019 - Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter Awards: The Harold Krantz Award for Multiple Housing 2019 - UDIA Awards - Russel Perry Award 2019 - UDIA Awards - High Density Award

An alteration & addition to an inter-war worker’s cottage with a 90’s add-on to the rear. On early observation our interest surrounded the poor circulation through the original 1940’s dwelling due to the number of changes the rear had endured. The 90’s addition to the rear created a ‘stop end’ to the sequence through the house and provided no connection to the rear laneway. We felt there was opportunity in trying to link the front of the site to the rear of the site through what was, in effect, a ‘mega long’ hallway and visual axis. Along this axis through the dwelling our aim was to make small interventions to some of the existing spaces that either required an upgrade or a change of use. At the front of the dwelling and engaging with the garden, a formal lounge space was converted into a rich timber lined study. The old central bathroom was removed and converted into a dark transitional space between old and new, creating a clear circulation path that was previously non-existent. This, in turn allowed us to open the kitchen up and bring more light into the space. To the rear of the site, a new carport and garden were designed to create the second entry to the house and the end of the long visual corridor. A key design move was to open up the rear fence to the laneway, giving a sense of a larger external area whilst generously offering a green reprieve to the hard an uninviting facades characterising the majority of the laneway. A simple palette of rich timbers and translucent materials complement the existing dwelling. Our view was to accept what was there in all its forms and appearances and enhance the quality of space within.

Element 27 is the first purpose-made "build-to-rent" (BTR) development in Australia. The BTR model shifts the focus to one of customer service and increases the convenience for renters. A rooftop garden with seating and entertaining areas takes advantage of the impressive views to the north and west over the Subiaco Common parklands. Given the projects landmark corner location and the heritage significance of the site, the architectural response is a contemporary industrial aesthetic with simple but bold forms. Recycled facebrick is used to treat the podium-style base, which is revealed as the site sloped away from the street. In conjunction with this, off-form board -marked in-situ concrete panels are used to provide warmth and texture at the human scale. Off-form concrete soffits are also used selectively at prominent balcony locations.

The articulation of the building form combines a number of important themes. Firstly, large scale greenery integration into the facade and landscaping reflects the amount of natural vegetation in Claremont area. Maximizing green space has a dual benefit, it creates an attractive facade for the public and improves living quality of the residents. This theme has executed by the numerous voids and cuts into the building volume which increases communal space and natural light penetration into apartments. To complement the surrounding residential environment, we asked that the facade of the building be made up of large, sweeping gestures to soften the scale of the building volume. Bi-fold metal screening achieves this concept whilst providing apartments with complete privacy or open light and ventilation.

Stock Road is an alternative model for densification within Perth’s inner suburbs. 2020 Award Winner - AIA WA Chapter Awards - Multiple Housing In this project, MJA Studio have sought to explore a typology which is often not the domain of architects. The opportunity of townhouses in triplex form on a medium density suburban site is a common one, and one for which exploration is warranted. The approach of individual townhouses each with its own street frontage addressing the corner has been a productive strategy, avoiding interruption of the streetscape by blank walls and communal vehicle access. The adoption of visually permeable carports and fencing to the street contributes further to connecting these dwellings to the public domain, and giving the sense of individual ‘house’ rather than triplex ‘unit’. The dwellings themselves are simply, logically and coherently planned, with spaces arranged to anticipate different household structures and lifestyle patters. Flexible spaces, provision for working from home, and a blurring between carports and courtyards, are future-looking and will provide clues to other designers seeking to work in this typology. The resulting building is confident and adept, with a sense of an underlying architectural idea informing the design from planning through to detailing, interior design and finishes. MJA has successfully departed from the typical look, feel and function of a familiar typology, and achieved a distinctive built outcome on a tight budget.

The Boulevard; Purpose Built Student Accommodation Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing The Boulevard is the first of several projects planned for Perth offering purpose-built student accommodation not aligned with any specific institution. As a formalised college co-located with a university, or informally as a share-house in the suburbs, student accommodation is well-understood. However, this project reinterprets the familiar residential apartment typology. Based on a principle of creating a community, internal programming is influenced by the needs of the international students supporting each other through what can be a lonely and stressful time. Adapted from a typical apartment tower form, a thoughtful strategy of minimising apparent building width has been effective, additionally providing an opportunity for daylighting in what effectively becomes a pair of narrow buildings joined by a core. A diverse range of student accommodation types allows for a range of student “households” from single rooms to a large share-house. The functional relationships between student rooms, study areas and common social, utility and breakout areas are well-controlled, legible, interesting and functional. The use of durable industrial materials and colour theory creates an urban, creative and engaging architecture. Adaptability of the building to other uses has been cleverly considered, acknowledging future uncertainty and the possible impact of evolving online and off-campus education.

MJA obtained DA approval in December 2017 for a unique corner site within Parkside Walk, Jolimont - a joint re-development between LandCorp and the town of Cambridge. The site sits adjacent to a major diagonal, landscaped, pedestrian pathway and was originally the grounds for a plant nursery up until the mid 1990s. The design seeks to embrace and re-interpret the rich history of the site to create a vibrant residential address for the end users. A total of 50 apartments are proposed, all being dual aspect and cross ventilated. A number of apartments also incorporate adaptable principles to assist with aging in place. Double height communal spaces face across a northern landscaped deck with resort style facilities including an infinity edge swimming pool. A sculptural pergola creates a canopy of shade for the communal space and provides dappled light for all year occupation. The built form language sweeps curvaceously, emphasizing horizontality, along the northern perimeter to address the public pathway. A contrasting façade on the southern side incorporates a more vertical rhythm referencing a townhouse style vernacular for this more private aspect. The apartments rise over 6 storeys ranging from 1 – 3 bedroom options. Strong connections to landscaping, the peeling back of the canopy, blurred lines between light and shade, indoor and outdoor, and emphasis on soft natural finishes bring warmth to the proposal and buffer the connection between public and private spaces.

Geraldton is an important regional city and regional seaport synonymous with WA’s shipwreck coast and the mid-west region. The town centre retains a strong sense of its still operational port infrastructure, with large wheat bins located on the southern edge of the foreshore and the port itself dominating the ocean view from the foreshore. The city has recently seen significant public realm investment on its waterfront. A more recent masterplan identified various linkages by which the city might be better connect to its refashioned foreshore, including the integration of a recently acquired retail shop and site adjacent to the foreshore on Marine Terrace. The Rocks project is a city-to-foreshore pathway incorporating existing laneways, streets and the original “Rocks” store. The path traces a pedestrian link joining the noted regional gallery “GRAG”, located two city blocks from the waterfront, to the city foreshore. The tracing of the pathway uncovered some extraordinary gems and almost lost histories. We found that a strange, ‘half-baked’ urban square on Marine Terrace, located right opposite the site of the Rocks building, was also the site of a handsome but long demolished post office building. The initial brief was to refashion the Rocks building – a relatively standard Victorian shop – to accommodate community activities and create a new pedestrian link between Marine Terrace and the waterfront Esplanade. Our team interrogated the Rocks in the context of the city. We identified the nearby GRAG building (and former town hall) as an end (or beginning) point for the journey. With the City, we mapped a path that complements some of the primary cross roads that extend from the city centre to the reactivated foreshore, and then investigated strategies by which it might be prescribed and activated. After preliminary conceptual work and budgeting, the City approved an expanded brief that incorporated a meta-graphic art installation across the entire length of “the walk” and a steel framed pavilion (or “Ghost Office”) on the site of the old town post office building. The brief for the old Rocks shop included a clear pedestrian linkage to the Esplanade; capacity to host events, including small scale music and theatre and exhibitions; and the provision of bathrooms and a small kitchenette. Its adaptive re-use incorporated a steel frame riff on the nearby wheat bins, recycled floorboards to the new bathroom pod, recycled pressed tin linings, new roof openings and skylights to facilitate green landscape insertions and integrated bench seating for pop-up entertainment events. The Ghost Office structure incorporates a trellis and trained vegetation to provide a shady refuge on Marine Terrace. It forms a three-quarter scale outline of the Victorian post office building and reinstates the streetscape along Geraldton’s primary retail “High Street.” The City engaged artist Trevor Richards to develop the meta-graphic concept for the project. After a series of workshops and concept studies, Trevor adopted the Geraldton Wax as the leitmotif for the artwork, which provides a recurring and striking overlay across various surfaces throughout the length and breadth of the Rocks...

Quality teaching and learning requires a flexible approach in terms of delivery. If as teachers, we need to be able to determine information about our students, then the way we deliver our lessons needs to have a great deal of variation. To observe social capabilities, students have to collaborate in complex social settings. To observe research, they need to investigate a topic independently over a long period of time and engage meaningfully with the content. To observe communication, we need to offer them the opportunities to share their ideas to a variety of audiences through different mediums using subject specific language. To observe thinking, we have to provoke the learner not to adopt their first idea and seek truth through challenging their beliefs, understanding how knowledge is derived and testing their arguments through a variety of thinking strategies. To observe self-management, we need to gently release the support framework so students can experience consequences and learn how to respond to failure by developing better strategies. In 2016, Scotch College set about designing a building that captured the complexities of this modern education and on Thursday 3 September 2020, the College officially opened the School of Business and Mathematics, forming a link between the School of Music and our Middle School. A stunning multi-levelled building designed to teach as well as delivering an inspiring place to learn. Around the building you will see geometric shapes on walls, circle theorems in carpets, music chiselled into stone, wood panelling representing notes to the school song, braille, binary code, history of famous entrepreneurs, scaled versions of Icosahedrons, cartesian planes, trigonometric angles in degrees and radian … the list goes on. Although capable of teaching, the building is also the centre of learning and has been designed to offer a wide range of flexibility, so teacher delivery is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. With moveable furniture, endless writing spaces across walls and cupboard to encourage student expression, break out spaces for group work in expansive corridors, exam centres and lecture theatres for heavier content delivery, bookable quiet rooms for students to work independently and recording studios for teachers to pre-record lessons, the opportunity for variation of learning is abundant. This space was designed with a senior secondary student-centred focus and looks to promote student agency whilst fostering a sense of calm through bright lighting, stylish furnishing and sophisticated architecture. This is complimented by the state-of-the-art technology embedded throughout and allows teachers to seamlessly move between various modes of delivery. There is no doubt that schools across Australia are just starting to realise that education is supposed to be more than just teaching content and that this method of education is more challenging for teachers when it comes to planning and delivery, even with outstanding facilities at their fingertips, such as those provided within our new School of Business and Mathematics building. Our new building is greatly assisting both staff and students in making this transition.

The brief was to create a light, bright, and comfortable open plan home which was family friendly and great for entertaining whilst making the most of their 490sqm site. A big emphasis was placed on creating a very functional floor plan which would accommodate various zones (public vs private) suitable for family living without compromising the size of the outdoor spaces. The extension was kept intentionally simple in form as to not compete with the existing cottage and work within the construction budget. An abundance of natural light floods the home and well considered openings encourage connection to the outdoors. Louvered windows and large volumes of space create a relaxed environment and a generosity of space. Clever details such as the integrated study / storage unit in the living area and built in day bed allow for efficient and multipurpose use of the living area. This reduces the need for dedicated study and activity rooms and allows for the family to be better connected in the way they live, and enjoy the space.

The design of a new Department of Education secondary college embodies a sense of pride in the WA public schooling system. Alkimos College will deliver the State School Curriculum in the first instance and also exist as an exemplary endorsement of public schooling in this developing area of the northern suburbs, providing learning environments that are safe, supportive and considerate of the physical, emotional and behavioural needs of students. Alkimos College is located in Alkimos at the intersection of Santorini Promenade and Hollington Boulevard, approximately 2km east of the coast. Alkimos and the surrounding popular northwest coastal suburbs are located just 40 km from Perth CBD and 15km north of Joondalup Town Centre. This area is quickly developing into a vibrant beachside community. A school develops its reputation, identity and key characteristics over time. This value has been captured in the building design by providing unique physical features that are easily recognizable. The College has a prominent presence along Santorini Promenade and is becoming an identifiable landmark in the greater Alkimos community. The masterplan grouped interrelated programmed functions in such a way that a variety of spaces and smaller communities are created within the overall campus. The school has its ‘Front Door’ addressing Hollington Boulevard with the main Administration, classrooms and Science labs prominently located for easy access from Santorini Promenade and Hollington Boulevard. The western portion of the building addresses the public realm and the proposed civic venues such as the Trinity Neighbourhood Centre and presents a graphic elevation comprising sweeping structural elements and screens which shade the glazed elevation. The masterplan creates a selection of landscaped courtyards between buildings. These generous, wide-open spaces allow sufficient sunlight to the courtyards as well as borrowed light to the adjacent classrooms. The courtyards adjoining the various communities will provide recreation and relaxation areas protected from the prevailing westerly winds, as well as providing opportunities for external learning. The school sporting fields are being developed by the City of Wanneroo under a ‘shared use’ agreement and, together with the Sports Hall and multi-use outdoor courts, complete a ‘sports hub’ for the College and wider community. All individual building designs have ‘simple’ building forms conducive to a degree of repetition in detailing and even some form of modular componentry to standardise construction methodology across the site. Learning areas are accessed directly off external verandahs and walkways. The design concept takes reference to a traditional ‘senior high school building design’ that utilises an external verandah to access each classroom. The external verandahs have a secondary purpose as protected incidental meeting areas for students and staff.

Originally a very dated home with a convoluted layout, the floor plan was completely transformed to create an open plan family friendly home. Drawing on the client’s great sense of style, we wanted to create a home that embraced a relaxed vibe and celebrated the original 70’s features such as the exposed brick work. Three separate zones were created to suit the family’s current lifestyle as well as allowing for the future proofing of the home, allowing them to grow into the spaces in the years to come. The kids wing down one end of the home allows separation from the parents & guest retreat whilst the kitchen being the heart of the home opens out onto their new undercover alfresco and is the perfect backdrop for entertaining and enjoying sunny days by the pool.

The brief was to create a clean, contemporary, and light filled home with strong connection to the outdoors for this family home with playful forms and material palette. A home of two halves, its original character façade blends in with the street whilst its surprising contemporary extension reveals itself via the newly designed side main entry. The placement of the extension embraces the sites northern aspect and is designed to encourage a seamless indoor and outdoor connection as well as views to pocket greenery from various vantage within the home. Large glazed pocket sliding doors allow the living, dining and kitchen to spill out onto the north faced garden. A raised circular concrete plunge pool provides a welcome escape, and the solar pergola provides the perfect spot for entertaining. With a focus on passive solar design principles, the home has been designed to be comfortable all year round whilst reducing impact on the environment as well as lowered running costs. Interesting materiality and details such as the polished concrete floor, floating steel stair, feature timber cladding as well as blockwork add depth and warmth to the clean palette of this relaxed and approachable family home.

The site of Warders 01 is the original site of the first Warders cottages to be built in Fremantle back in 1851. the National Heritage cottages have been restored and now operating as a boutique Hotel. the ground floor cottage closet to market lane has the hotel reception and a small aperitivo bar called ‘Gimlet’ named after the cocktail of the same name. In the back yard of Warders is the new Emily Taylor restaurant. Named after a ship that was wrecked off the coast of WA around the 1800s, the venue is imagines the story of the owner who would have travelled from England through the spice trades to unfortunately crash on the coast of WA. The Venue is public and open for drinks and dinner. the hotel is also operating and can be checked out.

Situated on a steep bushland site with views to the city through the hills of Kelmscott, the site presented the tentilising potential to develop an integrated architectural and landscape response. This home both sinks and lifts from the ground, able to be simultaneously secluded from the street and open to existing bushland on the site. A floating pavilion treading lightly on the earth, the building footprint of this modest 3x2 only takes up a quarter of the block. A combination of mass and lightweight elements provide an environment of permanence and elevation for the clients.

Located near one of Perth’s ‘necklaced’ wetland lakes, the architectural and integrated landscape design reflects the ambitious brief of both the client and architect: to provide a house that registers climate and environment and to be crafted for their personalities and ethical sensibilities. The design has been crafted as a couple’s home for an avid music lover and a talented artist with a shared love for Perth’s natural environment. At it's core, RZB House is a place for rest, to share with friends and family, and to celebrate zephyr breezes and the local red +blue dragonflies. Design considerations have included the omission of any air-conditioning from the house, radiant heating, minimal down-lighting, ethically sourced timbers, endemic planting, productive gardens, rain water harvesting to a 25,000L capacity, and solar power generation. The house achieves a 6.8 star rating with passive cooling.

Yagan Square embodies a new urban typology, fusing culture, history, art, food, architecture and landscape. A captivating civic landmark, the new world-class cultural and civic space has revitalised the heart of Perth. With a renewed sense of place and position, Yagan Square is located within one of the city’s busiest pedestrian zones, establishing a major transit hub linking to the central Perth Train Station and Busport. Urban connections are forged, realigning the city with its prior landscape and linking the city to Northbridge for the first time. The $73.5 million, 1.1 hectare project, four years in the making, was delivered by the Western Australian Government through the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA). It is the result of a pioneering collaboration between Lyons Architecture (lead consultant), iredale pedersen hook architects and ASPECT Studios and the Whadjuk Working Group. Importantly, this land once formed part of an extensive wetland system which was a significant meeting and food gathering space for Aboriginal people. Yagan Square forms a critical piece of Perth’s decade-long City Link redevelopment plan to address the separation of the city centre from Northbridge by sinking railway infrastructure and in-filling with commercial redevelopment, entertainment precincts and public open space. Yagan Square is a convergence of geologies, tracks, narratives and cultures. Named for Whadjuk warrior, Yagan, the early stages of design created opportunities for involvement by the Whadjuk Working Party and South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. The project has established an inclusive and welcoming destination with a focus on reconciliation, culture and urban repair. The project has formed a place of recognition for the Whadjuk story, creating a meeting place for people from all walks of life. Everything at Yagan Square has been designed with intent: from the custom grown Eucalyptus trees and wildflower gardens, to interpretations of former Indigenous tracks through the site and the digital canopies (shade) symbolising the area’s once-present lakes. The digital tower is designed to symbolise the bulrushes once found on the lake system in the area, while the 14 surrounding bulrushes that propel into the sky from the tower represent the 14 Noongar language groups. Capable of seating over 2,000 people, Yagan Square’s amphitheatre’s generous scale is broken down through plantings, lawn and a monumental metal canopy which floats over large sections of the steps and ramp. From this elevated position, the space catches cooling breezes, while the high canopy, referencing past wetlands, modulates light throughout the day. Offering a range of experiences, from green spaces to market halls, eateries, immersive public art and digital media, Yagan Square is intended as an ever-changing civic centre where Western Australia’s cultural past, present and future collide. ASPECT Studios worked with a range of artists on the project, including multi-disciplinary artist Jonathan Tarry, whose sculptural water feature, aptly named Waterline, is informed by the Western Australian landscape and water formations and reflect the site’s past landowners. Providing urban definition, with inflected spaces, the civic presence of Yagan Square has resulted from the underlying systems of place. The small...

Spend an evening at Fremantle Arts Centre viewing the exhibition, DesignFreo: Object, Space, Place, where the exhibiting designers will be in the galleries to chat with you one-on-one about their work and all things design. Whether you have a burning question or just want to connect, this is a special opportunity to meet with local designers in a relaxed and informal environment. Exhibition curator and DesignFreo founder Pippa Hurst will introduce the designers and the show, including some of the stories behind the work. The Art Centre’s shop FOUND will be open for hassle-free Christmas shopping, and the ticket price includes wood fired pizza and drinks. With the weather turning on, this is shaping up to be the perfect way to spend an early-summer evening. Participating designers Michael Patroni and Dimmity Walker / architects / spaceagency Shane Winter and Drew Penhale / architects / Penhale and Winter Becky Chilcott / communication designer / chil3 Isabel Kruger / brand designer / Izzi Communication Design Ben Savage / furniture designer and maker / squarepeg home Julian Illich / electric bike designer and entrepreneur / Tiller Rides Sarah Watanabe and Emma Williamson
 / fashion designers / Monster Alphabets Dillemma Jen Lowe / interior and furniture designer / Ohlo Studio Angus McBride / furniture designer and maker / Remington Matters Katie Leenan /scent designer / The Second Salon Unfortunately Simone Nabholz, ceramicist from Winterwares, can't join us but you'll still be able to see her work. Big thanks to the Fremantle Arts Centre, our principal sponsor ICS Australia, and to World Wide Timber Traders, Dulux and Burdett & Goodison for their generous support.

Our clients came to us as ‘Empty Nesters’ seeking to downsize and build their ‘forever home’ after recently retiring. The site is quite elevated and the area falls away to the river so the views northward to Mosman Park, along the Swan River and over to the city are by far the site's best qualities. The core idea of the design was to take full advantage of the views and northerly aspect by literally opening the house upwards and outwards. The rather dramatic ‘folded’ skillion roof and the angular plan is an unmistakable response to this idea. This is further reinforced by a huge expanse of glass in the living area which creates a seamless transition to an outdoor living space on the balcony with views afar. River views are a premium in the area and we, as did the client, wanted to be respectful of the adjoining neighbours. The angle (in plan) of the balcony and the roof form was created to provide a greater setback and reduced building height for the southern neighbour. We designed the plan to take advantage of cross ventilation opportunities when needed. Even with a strong south west sea breeze, the entire living space can open up to the river and is perfectly protected. The fall of the site from the rear to front also let us create a very dramatic entry statement with a large cantilever to give it grandeur and interest. Given our clients are the sole occupants, they effectively live on the upper floor. Their bedroom and main living spaces co-exist up there. For investment purposes it’s still a family home futureproofed for resale. The engineering of the balcony that cantilevers nearly 5 meters over the entry was a significant event. The flying tip of this roof also involves a significant amount of cantilevered structure with the ‘fold’ in the roof shape added all sorts of complexities. The rammed recycled concrete and limestone mix is a specialist product and has its own limitations so we had to work closely with the installer to get all our ideas to work, namely the two storey wall that has a cantilever section (which was required to be installed prior to the upper floor slab. We managed the budget throughout the design and documentation phase by having regard for scope and level of finish. The project came in very close to budget and the client proceeded without any changes. The rammed walls are made up of 50% recycled crushed concrete & 50% limestone. They create a very large thermal mass and the house has reduced fluctuations in internal temperature. Zinc cladding is less energy intensive to produce, is 100% recyclable and has a very long lifespan on buildings with minimal maintenance. There are two rainwater collection tanks used for drinking (filtered tap in the kitchen), the garden (including a vegetable patch) and auto leveler for the pool (which has a roll-out cover to reduce evaporation and heat loss – its heated via heat pump).

Sitting high above Perth’s city foreshore and famous Swan River, Camilla Residences is at the border of one of the world’s largest inner city parklands. Picturesque Kings Park offers recreation and fitness options including the Kings Park Tennis Club, Next Generation Gym, Jacobs Ladder and kilometers of cycle paths and walking tracks. The Park also offers scenic picnic areas, outdoor movies, dining options and concerts. Stroll across the Mount Street overpass and immerse yourself in the ambience of Perth’s West End where local and international fashion, entertainment and dining sophistication merge. Sustainability features include- Acoustic and thermal glazing Water harvesting Photovoltaic panels Electric vehicle charging stations Green living with landscaped winter gardens

A truly considered and thoughtful home, this simple addition to a weatherboard cottage in one of Perth’s loveliest suburbs has become an expression of the owners desire for inclusion and commitment to their community. The clients’ brief detailed a love of the outdoors and with two small children in primary school, an important component was for the large backyard to be as much a part of the design as the internal living spaces. Seeking to fulfil this and an overarching vision for a unique family-oriented home with warm, cosy, crafted, beautiful, informal and happy spaces, Klopper & Davis Architects took a holistic approach to the design. Responding sensitively to site, landscape and existing built elements the new addition is modest and thoughtful, positioned with a significant setback and nearly concealed from the street. The addition comprises of living and family spaces designed with direct views from the kitchen through to the back garden, allowing the parents to relax and enjoy the children playing outside – yet still visible. Curved custom-made steel door and windows are a special feature and soften the natural light that floods in. The flat roof that covers the addition extends beyond the windows to create a snug and protected entertaining area between indoors and outdoors. In keeping with their design philosophy of minimal intervention, Klopper & Davis Architects have reconfigured the main body of the original timber house to cater for private spaces. The traditional central hallway with rooms leading off either side has been retained and treated with care, restoring the timber floorboards and painting the internal brickwork walls with a fresh coat of white. Fashioning the original lounge and dining rooms into a master bedroom with large walk-in-robe and fourth bedroom respectively, plumbing in the original kitchen now services a large ensuite for the parents’ and bathroom for children at the end of the hall. Materials of recycled brick and steel framed doors are sensitively juxtaposed against the original weatherboard house. While the recycled bricks used to build the extension are painted in the kitchen and living rooms, they have been left exposed to create a unique final room for the kids. Mimicking the curves of the arches, the team have created a sculptural double curved feature to the building corner, a form expressed and experienced both within “The Kids Room” and outside in the garden. A complement to the textural qualities and simple, informal nature of the house is the stunning landscape design. The design incorporates latticed brickwork, sculptural concrete pipe planter boxes, Jarrah sleeper veggie boxes, a combination of recycled brick and limestone paving, corten edging and steel fencing. Add in a simple pool, grass and an outdoor shower and it is a layered garden, but it works. The condition of the existing building contributed significantly to the overall cost of the project, requiring a near re-build of a heritage house – new roofing, new external walls and insulation to ceilings, walls and below floor – to meet current building codes and...

Sited at a sensitive transition point between low and high density zones, 95 Evans Street sets a strong precedent for high quality, responsive suburban infill. 95 Evans Street is located on the cusp of Subiaco’s new density rezoning; a stone’s throw from Shenton Park train station and surrounded by great pedestrian amenity. The project seeks to respond to the site’s many sensitivities, with single story residences to the eastern and southern boundaries. As a result, the building is shifted to a zero lot setback to the western boundary, maximising the setbacks to the east. In addition to this, the built form is stepped back significantly, with each side responding to the r-code of its neighbour, with a minimal setback to the denser coded western boundary, stepping back to the R15 code of its eastern neighbour. The materiality, extensive landscaping and distinctive planter design reference the rich surrounding architectural and cultural history of Shenton Park, embedding it in its surroundings.

Project vision: Our vision for NOMA is to create a place with refined architectural design, exemplary attention to detail, warmth and personality, taking inspiration from the western suburbs’ unique lifestyle. Drawing from Mosman Park’s rich heritage, natural environment and idyllic location between the Swan River and Indian Ocean, it has been designed to become an enduring part of the Glyde Street community. Place integration and community benefit: NOMA embodies Parcel’s vision for good neighbourhood development – a premium location on Glyde Street, exceptional connectivity and infrastructure transecting Stirling Highway and adjacent Mosman Park Train Station along with established character and amenity. Community is a key driver of the precinct design, both the community that will be created by its residents, the place design principles that help to enable and foster incidental interaction, and their connection and integration into the wider Mosman Park community of established local residents. NOMA makes a significant contribution to The Town of Mosman Park’s future vision for Glyde Street to become an active and sought-after street with new living options, improved landscaping and retail offering through: • An architectural response that pays homage to Glyde Street featuring an elegant podium façade of warm timber and brick which evokes high street heritage • Commercial and retail uses that add vibrancy to the street – providing flexible spaces anchored by NOMA’s high amenity landscaped courtyard space. • The signature public courtyard blendling private and public domain – offering a communal space that can be used as an extension of the commercial tenancies as well as an informal leisure space for the community. The courtyard design centres around the sites signature retained Red Gum tree. • A product mix that strikes a balance between delivering on market demand, whilst creating flexible and adaptable dwellings for a range of demographics. NOMA responds to increasing market demand for medium sized apartment product that enables people to downsize without leaving the area they know and love, as well as families and those looking to enter the market for the first time. Architectural vision and ethos Parcel Property’s philosophy is to ensure the design of every development responds to the character and identity of the area. Each is unique, and meets Parcel’s benchmark for quality design, amenity and finish. NOMA considers internal, external and community design elements in equal measure – ensuring a cohesive response across interior layout, building typology, community and public spaces and importantly, public realm. Designed by award winning architects Plus Architecture, NOMA’s design aesthetic is inspired by Mosman Park’s rich heritage, natural environment and enviable lifestyle – where warmth and personality is coupled with an elegant, refined style. It has been designed with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship - exposed brick, archways, timber and soft landscaping is a nod to Glyde Street’s traditional streetscape, with a modern execution that will bring enduring value and sense of place. Communal areas and the spaces which connect apartments have been designed with people’s everyday needs front and centre. Landscape design and...

The architecture attempts to re-create the atmosphere of Fremantle in a contemporary way and draws inspiration from the existing character of the nearby Prison Precinct. The street facades have been carefully articulated to provide both transparency and depth to help ensure the perceived building bulk is minimised at street level. The material palette of the building will consist of limestone face bricks, exposed steel beams, natural finished concrete, Colorbond metal sheeting and green wall trellises. One of the main features of the building design is the large central green space that all apartments and short stay units are accessed from. This T-shaped atrium ranges from 6m-7.8m wide and forms the central heart of the building. The space will be luscious and green with water features and break out spaces for users to inhabit and interact with one-another.

Dollhouse 2.0 is a long-term family home that works comfortably within its small 174m² inner city site. The design intent was to create functional flexible spaces, adaptable for a growing family. The finishes were selected for longevity to create a low maintenance and sustainable “forever home”. The home is conveniently located adjacent to various active cultural hubs, allowing the planning of the home to be pared back to the essentials. With 2 bathrooms, a powder room, 3 bedrooms and a double garage, the home accommodates the needs of most families. Each of the spaces are carefully considered, many offering the ability to expand and contract for larger gatherings or changes in family dynamics. The void through the heart of the home provides visual interaction with the street, natural light and ventilation with solar access to the north warming up the concrete floors in winter. A void was favoured over additional floor area, as the views and natural light contribute to the feeling of spaciousness in an otherwise small home. Integrated storage and built-in furniture have been designed to maximise the use of space and provide functionality. Cabinetwork is utilised for storage of items, as furniture, as display for personal items and art (like the piano strings found in the laneway), or to create public and private modes of use. The interior palette is an extension of the exterior palette with the added warmth of natural timber. The use of robust and cost-effective materials for the building envelope was intended to create a long lasting and thereby sustainable home. These cost-orientated choices enabled the budget to be directed into quality interior finishes, fixtures and integrated cabinetwork contributing to the aesthetic and functional comfort. The design demonstrates how a small home can be liveable without compromise.

As part of the Canning Bridge Activity Centre Plan, the proposed building has the opportunity to become one of the first project to lead the residential redevelopment. Earthy textures and neutral tones lay the foundation for these well-grounded living spaces. The general layout of the floor plans places all apartments facing north to maximise on northern light. Circulation corridors are positioned away on the south side with louvred windows that allow solar access. Perforated metal screens are used on the facade allowing visibility for residents to enjoy park views whilst letting sunlight into the apartment space. The breathtaking rooftop garden offers a 360 degree view of Perth, including the skyline, river and park.

The Perth DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) is a major shopping complex close to Perth city covering approximately 34,000m². The DFO brand is new to Perth but has a proven track record nationally, attracting shoppers to a range of fashion, food and retail tenancies with various food & beverage options. The design for the Perth DFO draws inspiration from the site’s geographic location and the surrounding natural environment. Ideas of ‘flight’ inform the architecture of the building including aeronautical engineering, man-made flight and the natural flight of the local native Red-Tailed Black-Cockatoo. Linear, bold gestures are generated from plane flight, while organic and lightweight forms evolve from natural bird flight. Externally, this approach renders an architecture of smooth sweeping lines and dark ‘feathered’ facades. The predominantly monotone palette is broken by striking orange elements reminiscent of the Cockatoo’s tail feathers. These elements also serve to delineate and demarcate the building’s form and function. This language translates into structural selections, the ceiling treatments and floor finishes, and assists with internal wayfinding. The parallels between bird and plane flight create a vibrant interface which informs the materiality, textures and patterning of the interior spaces. The sober external skin is punctuated by subtle changes in form and patterning, as well as more dramatic portals and canopies at the primary entrances, each derived from the various metaphors and concepts of flight. The interiors were further inspired by the ‘Golden Age’ of flying in the 1950s and 60s. Sweeping lines and subtle shifts in height envelope seating elements (‘pause pods’) or points of address (customer service desk). These elements are complemented by fabrics and finishes selected to respond to the various precincts within the primary arcades. The exceptional length of the mall space is mitigated by unusually high shopfronts supported by robust vertical steel subframes, integrated with triangular steel-pipe roof trusses. The fabricated roof trusses were rigorously tested during the design and value management phases of the project – and survived the commercial analysis to be realised as an elegant component of the completed building. A special mention to the structural engineers, BGE! The main entrances are the product of external context and internal programming. The ribs featured on the external portals sweep into the building and weave their way through interior spaces as a recurring motif within the malls. Two oculi are located within the food and beverage precinct, one completely internalised, the other on the outer periphery of the building, merging external and internal spaces. Each of the oculi is designed to bring natural lighting and greenery into the building and provide an alternative experience to the internally focussed character and qualities of the retail arcades. The success of the building is due in no small part to a highly collaborative design and delivery process including the client, architects, engineers and builders.

Located at the end of a quaint street, the site on 81 Hastings Street provides a unique opportunity to deliver ocean glimpses while providing sanctuary. Tasked to design a ‘forever house’ for a young family who love to surf and entertain, it was important that the design was flexible, allowing for potential changes in preferred levels of privacy and intimacy. Further rounding off the brief was the client’s interest in surfboarding, skateboards, and street art. The meditatively utilitarian routine of loading, unloading, storing and showering after time at the beach is also central to the planning of this unique residence.

Botanical redefines apartment living in Perth. Connecting the vibrancy of a premier inner city location with the tranquility of a stunning parkland setting. Botanical brings the outside in with an atrium that is bathed in natural light. The louvered roof allows air to circulate through the building interior, creating an internal sense of light, space and calm. On every floor, each apartment is connected with a sky bridge that includes reticulated planter boxes and cascading plants. The highly articulated building form coupled with a distinct material palette results in a positive addition to the streetscape and public realm that subtly references its historical context.

The building is comprised of seven ‘terrace’ houses that overlap each other in an ‘l-shaped’ configuration. Adopting the multiple dwelling plot ratio provisions allowed us to avoid the all-too-common survey strata lots attached to a common driveway. We were able to increase the density of the site whilst maintaining a low-rise building envelope that presented to the street the appearance of only four dwellings. Utilising the above, we were able to treat the site layout in a more flexible manner and could adopt a series of principles that would inform the development of the design; – Cars should not occupy the entire ground plane. – The driveway should offer some form of amenity – Occupants should not be afraid of looking onto the driveway – Cars and people should enter the site at different points – Each dwelling should be provided with a garden on grade – Each dwelling should open fully to the north and south. Each of the dwellings only occupies a small footprint, in essence they are the relative size of apartments, however the aim was to use the spatial configuration and circulation to enhance the perception of space and volume. By providing each with upper and lower floors, there is an increased sense of separation between pieces of program whilst the stepping in the upper floor plate of some of the dwellings creates an added perception of separation between spaces. Whilst the southern elevation adopts a more ‘residential’ and conservative appearance, opening up to the surrounding suburb, the northern elevation is configured solely to address privacy of the occupants. The continuous masonry ‘wall’ is articulated to create enclosures to the ground level courtyards whilst also providing a private balcony to the dwellings with upper floor living. This masonry element provides ample shade and thermal mass to the dwellings and as a result the courtyards each have a wonderful micro-climate to escape the harsh summer heat. The material palette for the building is very simple, being of only painted brickwork and grooved cement board. The intent was to create subtle textural changes that would be emphasised as the sun moved around the building. Deep shadows of the courtyards puncture the northern façade whilst the southern elevation is softened by the addition of natural timber battens that will silver over time. The landscape and gardens have been conceived as the other material across the site. The white building becomes a backdrop to enhance the colours of the varying planting arrangements. The project is intended to test an alternative model of suburban infill, encouraging occupants to appreciate volume and liveability over scale and land ownership. It shows that apartment living does not need to compromise the amenity you are leaving behind with your old house.

Penryn Avenue is a loving homage to the mid-century modernist influences of City Beach. Klopper and Davis Architects have drawn from the context to create a beach home that is warm, textural and responds to the needs of contemporary family life. Sited on a generous 800sqm block, nestled in old City Beach, a classic beachside suburb with views to nearby Bold Park. The design makes the most of its northern aspect, dedicating over half of the block to lush garden and outdoor living. The built form of Penryn Avenue neither dominates nor overwhelms its beautiful block. Nearby homes in this beachside suburbia illustrate the strong housing boom of last century, with many mid-century architectural delights in its midst. Penryn Ave integrates itself into its local context via a modest street presence, articulation of the entry and thoughtful selection of materials and nod to the significance of the suburban garden. The simple design of two floors, bedrooms above and living spaces below, belie the very clear consideration and thoughtful composition that has been incorporated into this project. Signature contrasts between clean and textured materials create interest with a clear nod to the very best of modernist design. Living spaces are bold and generous with walls of glass opening onto grass and pool which fill the internal spaces with Perth’s rich blue sky. The design makes the very best of its environment, with KADA employing passive design principles from the first concept sketch. Glass from head to toe along the northern facade and both floors is carefully considered and takes advantage of the sun’s angles, flooding the living areas with warmth and light during winter months while perfectly positioned eaves offer relief when the overwhelming sun gets higher in summer. Double glazing ensures gained heat is not lost in winter nor gained in summer. Penryn Avenue maintains a consistent, comfortable temperature throughout the year. From pressed tin cladding, textured brick walls and timber framed windows, the material palette is diverse and elegantly arranged into a cohesive composition of warm and human materials. The defining feature of this project is the soaring glulam columns that support the floating roof. These beams are new – but a soaring roof that makes the year-round most of Perth’s lovely sun has become a defining mark of this KADA project. The columns are a bold and striking gesture that draws from its ‘post and beam’ influences and defines the architectural expression. Close consultation with the structural engineer allowed the striking execution of this defining feature of the building. The garden design is the perfect complement to the house, adding shade, softness and playful energy to the outdoor spaces. Striking the right balance between soft- and hardscapes is key in landscape design and here she articulates it so well, offering the client’s two children ample ground for games and activities.

A simple rear addition conceived in the manner of a ‘warehouse’. A large single volume under a skillion roof. Extended along the southern boundary completely open and glazed to the north. A single shift in the orthogonal geometry being a diagonal edge introduced in order to align access with existing house corridor. Reducing in width towards the rear of the yard this balances indoor and outdoor space and in accordance with a sequence of space function requirements. This generates a trapezoidal plan which interacts with the glazed elevation to create a dynamic sloping facade. Requisite shading of glazed northern wall is harnessed to architectural effect. Composed a singular ribbon of zincalume capping. To express an iconic form in the elevation of the facade. Wet areas become interstitial to create a clean break between the existing building and roofline. This is reinforced internally via a corridor compression becoming a tight darkened portal between the spaces before being released into the expanse of living space. A large rugged masonry blade wall also firmly defines the edge of the living areas. Connected to an external entertaining area which edges the yard. The addition presents a bold and monumental form beyond its humble actuality (relatively small scale). Skillful resolution of deviant elements create moments of delight within the form.

Omeo house is designed for a couple, downsizing from a quarter acre block to a terrace sized plot in a new coastal subdivision. The clients wanted something unique and the town planning requirements for the location encouraged ‘landmark design elements’ for the specific site. This prompted us to explore the role a private residence can play in shaping a neighbourhood and how it could build architectural diversity. As the end site to a series of terrace houses, we started by considering the house as an ‘ornamental’ bookend to standard terrace facades. Figuratively, the house takes its shape from the underbelly of the letter ‘O’, a reference to the name Omeo, a ship-wrecked Victorian barque which is visible from the site. The resulting swept form appears like a boat itself. Making virtue of the local design guideline requirements for material difference for lower and upper levels, this form rests above an all timber lower section, much like a boat in dry-dock waiting to be launched. The form above is built almost entirely of brick giving it weight through compositional mass and material and perhaps a somewhat civic quality rather than residential. The bricks are glazed white to the elevations and blue within the reveals, where their natural irregularities create a shimmering, textured façade. The glazed bricks were also a particular choice for a low maintenance facade in an exposed, coastal environment. This horizontal split creates the planning rationale for the building’s internal arrangement: visitors on the ground, residence on top. The living spaces on level one are punctuated by internal courtyards and multiple balconies, broadening the amenity to this building to take full advantage of its location. The main balcony is an indoor-outdoor room with large sliding doors connecting it to the primary living area. Its orientation to the north-west, makes the most of the winter sun while sheltering it from the strong westerly summer breeze and winter storm fronts. The master bedroom maintains this connection to the outside through a private courtyard with a spa and lush greenery.

A new house in a leafy suburb of Perth, which replaces the clients' original home previously on the same block. An existing terraced garden the sole link to what was there before. This forms the focus of the new home, which begins conceptually as a double storey west-facing block with openings strategically located to manage privacy, sun and outlook. At street level, the western elevation is blank with the exception of deep recesses which are carved into the block, providing internal spaces diffused rather than direct light in summer. At the lower garden level, the house opens up to bring the outside in.

Bannister Downs Dairy is a family owned, family run, vertically integrated dairy producer situated in Northcliffe, in the south-west of Western Australia. The company prides itself on quality and its sustainable business model. Their success in the market place has resulted in a radical scaling-up of business and has created the opportunity for a new facility that showcases innovation in dairy production, reflects their ethical milking practises, whilst opening their doors for public viewing and education. The building is a dairy & creamery - a ‘grass-to-gate’ facility, with milking, processing, bottling and packaging all in one location and it is the only planned facility of its kind in the world. The facility houses state-of-the-art robotic milking and other large-scale processing equipment; administration staff and farm workers; café and general function area/space; exhibition gallery and a viewing gallery to all the processing areas. A masterplan based on agrarian planning principles and integrated, just like Bannister Downs. The Masterplan combines three distinct, and very separate groups: cows enter the site from the north; heavy vehicles to the east, and visitors, tourists and workers from the south. The masterplan brings these groups into a common zone - a collection of buildings, service areas and landscapes contained within a soft, pebble-shaped form. The curved masterplan allowed for efficient planning and complex processes to occur within, whilst accommodating planned future expansion. The shape follows the natural contours of the site, limiting the volumetric cut and fill for construction whilst creating a logical drainage system in this wet environment, allowing water runoff from the site in all directions. An identity that services both a family-owned rural operation as well as large scale, state of the art production The main building needed to reflect large scale, state of the art processing whilst retaining a local and rural identity. The building design is consequently split into two distinct addresses: the ‘hard working’ back-of-house (the factory); and the front-of-house (the barn) for visitor experience wrapping around its perimeter. The barn follows the boundary curve, and visually envelops the factory behind. The two functional areas overlap along a public viewing gallery on Level 1, an area made for visitors to experience the full sequence of milk production from milking, processing, and packaging to dispatch.

Mosman Park is a diverse neighbourhood that treads a fine line between the gritty and the riparian. Glyde St, its mini high street has recently been up-zoned by a council trying to accommodate housing density and a more walkable lifestyle for its residents. The recent history of this site in particular was Fernando’s Nursery, a locally famous Spaniard who made up prices on the spot depending on his mood. Our approach was to take these different threads of context and history and weave them into a narrative that acknowledges the past and looks towards the future of the street. 28 dual aspect apartments are intertwined with extensive planting and sit over hospitality tenancies and parklets. A co-working space on the 4th floor invites the community inside while a roof terrace democratically shares the best view with all residents.

Perth Girls School is a magnificent 1930's Art Deco gem perched on high on the hill at the heart of East Perth. Recently re-opened to the public in partnership with Artrage, the Girls School has provided an exciting new dimension to the cultural opportunities with the winter Cinema program and growing role as a Perth Fringe Festival hub. This role will evolve further as the Girls School grows into an exciting new destination complete with additional entertainment, food and retail amenity, ready to support the first onsite residents in a range of exciting apartment living options.

The Exploding! Shed House is an experiment in small footprint in-fill living for modern Perth, whilst referencing a more modest lifestyle of an earlier time. This 1-bed, 1-bath home fulfils the goal of a joyful and simple suburban residence, while respecting its place and location. Greater urban density shouldn’t need to translate to boundary-to-boundary development while ignoring its site and neighbours. The client's brief was simple - A small, affordable home with a yard and an internal 'messy space' for a studio. The contrasting materials used inside and out split the building into weatherboard cottage and corrugated shed-like studio, while the clean white walls and ceiling of the residence give way to the more hand-crafted wood linings of the studio. The house is tied together with a simple, yet durable, concrete floor running throughout the entirety of the home, and the yard is paved with concrete council pavers rescued from a local renovation. The design eschews unnecessary floor area for a backyard, and limits internal walls to allow for open space, natural light, natural ventilation, and views beyond the limits of the house. The mature jacaranda tree anchors the site, and its branches reach over the house to give shade throughout summer. Sliding doors, windows and fans cool the house, and orientation to the North and thermal mass help to heat the house in the winter.

First completed in 1904, His Majesty’s Theatre was the largest of its kind in Australia at the time. The Edwardian Baroque style building (by William G Wolf) was the first reinforced concrete building in Perth and, at time of opening, seated over 2500 people under a retractable dome ceiling. The complex was originally home to a 65-room hotel alongside the Theatre. The building underwent many alterations in the following half century and, following several years with an uncertain future and a public campaign to save it, was bought by the Government of Western Australia in 1977. Around this time the Hotel portion of the building was renovated to provide a home to the West Australian Ballet and West Australian Opera companies, both of which perform regularly in the venue. In 1978 His Majesty’s was entered onto the Register of the National Estate. On 8 April 1994, it was included as an interim entry on the Western Australian Register of Heritage Places, before receiving a permanent entry on 16 December 1994. The theatre was named a State Heritage Icon in December 2004. In 2017, Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick Architects were engaged by The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and The Perth Theatre Trust to upgrade the existing front of house facilities, most of which were rather tired 1970’s renovations. The upgrades include the basement level museum bar, ground floor bar and restaurant, box office, first floor dress circle Bar and event space, new commercial grade kitchens/amenities across basement and ground levels and two new connecting stairs between the three levels. The high-level heritage significance of the original building fabric required a design approach that was sensitive to The Maj’s rich history. TRCB worked closely with Griffith’s Heritage Architects early on in the design phase to ensure that as little as possible of the original 1904 building fabric would be impacted and that the only demolition would be of the later additions with limited heritage significance. The original hand-crafted Edwardian Jarrah bar which had previously been relocated to the ground floor was carefully dismantled and reassembled in its new home on the first floor. This sensitivity to the original building has extended to the selection of finishes throughout the three levels. Rich textures, leather finish stone, brass, plush fabrics, solid oak parquet floor and regal colours all work together to complement the existing interiors while maintaining the sense of opulence that The Maj is famous for. Bespoke steel framed glazing and fluted glass shopfronts have been installed along the Hay Street frontage and the original entrance to the box office on the corner of Hay and King has been reinstated to once again address the historic street corner.

Syrinx is a Blue Green Infrastructure Group that brings integrated, smart, value-added solutions to our projects, which cover a wide spectrum of disciplines, scales, types and industries. Our studios are collaborative environments with diverse mixes of engineers, scientists, designers and on-ground implementation experts. We excel at creative, lateral thinking and in turning ideas into practice. We are visionary, strategic and practical. In other words, we are specialists in solving difficult and complex challenges sustainably. [embed]https://youtu.be/KcxWsKtbOLU[/embed]

The clients' brief was to design a home on a 336m² block running East West for a young couple to accommodate their immediate lifestyle needs and their future family. The open plan living area connects directly to the outside living area with an intimate retreat off to one side. The home explores the design intersection of an efficient floorplan, passive solar design principles and local council parameters and regulations. The building's contribution to the street is modest. The palette is a combination of raw textured face brick, white rendered walls and the warm tones of cedar cladding. We prefer our work to be part of the conversation amongst the public to better appreciate architect designed houses – therefore making it more accessible for everyone. The house sits within a historic character protection area, which required an interpretation of a ‘pitched roof’. This requirement resulted in a strong sculptural double storey pitched roof form. Attached to the north side of ‘the barn’ just short of midway, is a single storey box which houses ‘the snug’. This delineates the pool courtyard to the West and carport to the East. One enters the building into a double height void space with burnished concrete floors. The rawness of this slab finish is one of the features throughout the ground floor. The east wall of the brick box continues into the house – part of this is punctured by the concrete stairs and the rest of the wall wraps around the corner to form one side of a narrow corridor. With substantial storage on one side, the corridor links the master bedroom, laundry, winter snug and living areas. Up the stairs are the three bedrooms and bathroom. The kitchen and dining areas open towards the living area and courtyard to the north. The expanse of the main living area is vertically accentuated by the double height internal volume of the barn form. These spaces enjoy good natural light – a concrete awning provides adequate protection from the direct light during the summer and the winter sun warms the floor during colder periods. A small hit-and-miss breeze wall provides privacy to a powder room and entry to the snug. This snug is where parents escape to when the kids are asleep. The playful gestures of the breeze wall carry through on the external portion of the wall with a brick motif reindeer that overlooks the pool and courtyard. Collaboration with the structural engineer achieved an elegant, cost effective design of the concrete canopy that has a generous overhang and span over the sliding doors of the living area. The tender price came back 5% cheaper than the original budget which gave the clients the luxury of adding more cabinet work and other finishes to the interior.

The project site was originally two sites which were amalgamated to invoke a building height bonus in the CBAC zone – which was created by the City of South Perth to promote additional building density around the Canning Bridge Station. Given its proximity to Station (within 380m), Swan River (within 700m), and the CBD (less than 8km away), the design required a solution that was very much driven by the need to achieve a certain density and yield to ensure feasibility. As with all Motus buildings, this yield requirement had to be acceptably balanced against aesthetic and sustainability targets. The circulation spaces on every level are ‘open ended’ to ensure a healthy building through provision of natural light and ventilation. Extensive green spaces – both vertical and horizontal – have been designed with the assistance of Landscape Architect (CAPA) to provide a valuable link with nature. We also integrated communal facilities that include a rooftop terrace overlooking the river and city as well as a ground floor residents workshop and lounge.

The location of City Beach House provides us with a view like no other. Our design approach for the project takes full advantage of the climate conditions and landscape of the site to produce an architectural outcome that makes inside-out living possible. With the functional needs of our clients in mind, City Beach House is a human-centred home design that is simplistic in form but refined in materiality and detail, successfully combining the interior spatial experience with exterior spatiality and views.

Margaret River SHS site is located close to the town precinct, across from the intersection of Bussell Highway and Wallcliffe Road. A well-established existing Campus, the original buildings were constructed in 1953 and the campus was expanded in successive phases. The original master plan follows a ‘courtyard’ pattern incorporating buildings and courtyards, a typical arrangement for this period. Growth throughout the campus has developed in an organic manner, with buildings expanding from the consolidated core of the original campus. While the original additions were linked to existing building’s conforming courtyards in order to follow the original planning intent, preference for detached buildings in recent additions reflect the latest trend in educational and functional planning, resulting in buildings of a dissimilar nature and undermining the clarity of campus original identity. An increase in demographics and school enrolments have brought the need for transportable classrooms dispersed around the site. These structures, in addition to the existing farming sheds, add to the disaggregation of the school, which translates to a multiplicity of temporary structures spread throughout the site. The School’s current capacity is for 650 students in permanent accommodation, however current enrolments are above 1000. The school relies on temporary accommodation with 17 transportable classrooms distributed throughout the site. The proposed stage 1 facility will accommodate 1200 students in permanent accommodation upon completion, including a new Learning Block, a Health and Physical Education Block, a Science and IT Block, as well as additions to the existing Admin and Student Services Block. The new Science Block located on the corner between Bussell Hwy and Wallcliffe Rd, will present a refreshed and contemporary identity for the school. With its geometric cladding patterns inspired by the dappled tree shadows, the new buildings bring a distinctive contemporary character to the site. Despite being located in different areas of the school campus, all new buildings follow a unique alignment with a diagonal axis running through the site connecting the campus with the north-eastern corner of the site. Generous outdoor covered areas will provide ample protection against wet weather, while integrating seamlessly with redeveloped outdoor and skills areas.

The Connect South Project is about creating a positive environment, both economically and socially to support the growth of the South Perth Peninsula and greater region. The project is focused on improved access to transport, improved public amenity and greater economic opportunity. The brief for the foreshore area called for the creation of a Piazza space that would become a key civic space for the community and a gateway to South Perth. It is to be a destination space on the banks of the Swan River that can be seen from Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park and a space that welcomes visitors and commuters to South Perth. The project will provide a range of unique amenities for residents, local businesses and visitors to the City as well as fulfilling the City’s vision for the creation of a revitalised foreshore with high quality spaces to host civic and ceremonial events.

The site was selected as a key urban infill site due to its proximity to Northbridge (within 700m) and the CBD (less than 1.5km away). Tucked away in the low to medium density fringe of the City, the location provides the benefit of a leafy outlook over Stuart Street Reserve. Residents to the building will have at their fingertips a multitude of nearby bars, restaurants and cafes to enjoy. The architecture team has designed with the occupants well-being in mind. Voids that connect the floors vertically provide natural light and ventilation to common areas. Extensive green spaces throughout have been designed with the assistance of Landscape Architect (CAPA) to provide a valuable link with nature.

The suburb’s vernacular is typified by an eclectic mix of federation houses, some remodelled in what is locally known as the ‘European style’ - the result of a largely migrant population modernising older housing stock to meet their requirements. This also brought a form of suburban agriculture to Mt Lawley: vegetable gardens, lean-to’s, drying sheds, incinerators, pizza ovens etc. creating another world of industry and infrastructure to the rear of these blocks and invisible from the street. Remodelling of federation houses became so commonplace in the area, the local Council considered applying a heritage listing to the altered housing stock. While this didn’t eventuate, it presented an interesting idea of the historic and cultural value of these houses that we were compelled to respond to. The Camino House is the outcome of a ‘renovated-renovation’. It preserves the buildings chequered history, embraces its eclectic style and perhaps even amplifies it. We searched for a relevant form for a two-storey extension to the rear of the block. Seen from the street, this form could suggest some tangible association to the backyard. The idea of chimney form, an ‘oast’ presented a familiar figure from the neighbourhood (Lincoln Street Ventilation Stack) and conveyed the aesthetics of a building ‘at work’. It is an industrial motif upgraded for the 21st century, rather than heating or drying, it is naturally ventilating the interiors.

Procure Communications is located within a redeveloped historic building in the heart of Fremantle. The client runs a number of businesses and sought to create a space that would support them in a single setting. To achieve this, the space had to provide staff with a high level of amenity and flexibility whilst working within the constraints of the historic location and textures of the base building. Having been formed by connecting a number of adjacent rooms there is a natural breakup of discrete zones which became the point of response. An open organic planning solution was overlaid with a central work/meeting bench connecting the zones and providing additional storage. The soft end of the work bench lands as an entry marker with a large tree and rug integrated into its end. The integrated planting softens and freshens while a pergola feature with hanging vines and pendant lights provides a tactile and supportive backdrop to the meeting and socialising hub.

FAST FACTS: • 3×2 Main House (+ 2car carport) • 1×1 Studio Apartment with large studio space (+ garage) • East West Inner-City Block • Block size – 416m2 (11.4 x 36.6) • Total floor area main house – 175m2 (Block size 296m2) • Total floor area studio – 80m2 (Block size 120m2) • Over 1,300 visitors during Open House Perth 2019 (November) SUMMARY: A review of the site plan and the client’s needs revealed an opportunity to maximise the site and create two homes. This inner-city urban retreat is a model for the future of inner-city housing. The epitome of “doing less better” the project provides space defying amenity and utility on a tight east west inner city block just a nudge over 400m2. Two light drenched homes providing a multitude of living and working options. One a relaxing pavilion terrace retreat from the corporate banking life for the busy owner and her photographer partner. Clean and crisp living zone seamlessly linked to its northern yard space with purposeful bedroom zones above. Nothing more and nothing less than required. The other is an independent studio with a range of options for secondary working, creative studio space, a home for friends and family, rental income or future sale. The project employs a simple and restrained palette of materials and finishes. A clear design language, subtle variation in form and material placement that respects the urban context and yet achieves a distinctive personality for each. EXPLORATION: Material – • A primary palette of painted brick, timber paneling and iron roof forms to provide a contemporary integration with the materials of the turn of the century neighbourhood; • Whilst the material palette is in part common across both dwellings the placement is varied providing individual personality to each and yet within a common material language; • The monochromatic colour scheme allows a lightness and texture to reflect and provide an abundant sense of light within the dwellings and outdoors spaces; Structural form – • form of the primary street dwelling adopts a steep pitch in response to the heritage guidelines, albeit with contemporary detailing and form as an expression of its modernity; • flat roof form of the rear dwelling provides a more appropriate response to the urban condition of the rear lane streetscape which is an electric mix of functional sheds and other secondary structures; • the variation in roof and wall form between dwellings also allow them to express their own personality and optimise internal solar access to each dwelling; and • the separation and stagger opens up solar access to the private space on the adjoining southern lot which was a critical gesture and response to the neighbour consultation. Urban consolidation – • 3×2 primary pavilion home and 1 bed studio with large additional studio space on a single site; • a multitude of lifestyle, working, creating and investment opportunities; • two integrated but separately accessed and serviced subdividable dwellings; and • addressing investment flexibility and housing affordability through...

The brief called for a functional, low-maintenance home for a professional couple and their dog. The clients enjoyed the vibrancy of the area, but also had a need for privacy and a sense of sanctuary. As fans of Japanese simplicity, they wanted every space to offer multiple uses and ample inbuilt storage. It was important that circulation was efficient, so areas of the home that cost a lot but don’t give much back – such as hallways – were kept to a minimum. Custom-made furniture was also incorporated into the design where possible. A guest bedroom and bathroom is provided on the ground floor, along with a street-facing office for client access. The living areas and main bedroom are located on the upper floor, and feel as if they’re floating above the street.

Affectionately known as the Banjup Rec Centre, our main brief was really to create a true forever house on a semi-rural bush block where our clients Chris & Michelle could enjoy some space, entertain and let their three young boys run an absolute muck! Our first conversation with Chris was heavily based around a go-cart track and a shed. It was also the first thing we designed, basically out of sheer excitement of designing a go cart track. The house momentarily took backstage while we discussed grandstands, footy posts, and an indoor basketball court! As with all of our projects, the goal posts moved a little both figuratively and literally once we started designing the actually home. This was to be Chris & Michelle’s forever home and a place they could see out the next 30 to 40 years. It’s a real privilege to be involved in these projects especially with trusting clients that could truly appreciate the value of engaging an architect. The house pivots around an outdoor activity space. It’s not a defined space, it’s rather generous in size and loose with boundaries but it’s the there. It encourages an interaction between the overlooking spaces whether it’s when if greets you at the entry and invites you in, or it’s from the elevated kitchen looking out, or the dining space spilling out. Maybe it’s the pool or the barbeque and bar, all of these areas interact directly with an outdoor core and encourage well, being outdoors. This setting along with the northerly aspect and views across the bushland also draw you out to the scrub. The house invites you to leave it and get outside and explore, but with its simple passive solar traits it draws you back in out of the blistering black sandy heat or the intermittent downpours. Chris noted just the other day they they’d only used the fireplace twice over winter and it was out of sheer novelty factor and had only used the reverse cycle system to test it. Other than all the sporting options available (which only grew along the way) the materials and design had two blatant overtones; invincibility and serenity. The house is built Tonka Tough. The raw rammed earth walls can take a hit and if they mark, you’ll never notice. Flawless delicate finishes are not for boys, concrete floors, black granite tops, exposed steel and low maintenance is what’s needed. It’s a raw aesthetic that works really well and the textural walls and timber tones soften the spaces. The serenity comes via distance. Physically located in a separate wing Chris & Michelle have a space they can call their own compete with a private courtyard outside the shower for a little slice of tranquillity. Again, the option is there to spill out to that outdoors core and at least keep an eye on the action if needed. For the in-laws, there is a guest wing separated from the house via a breezeway. It’s the only space orientated away...

Three dwellings intertwined into a collective whole explores stealth density in the suburbs. The project responds to. missing middle typologies of housing sitting between single residential housing ad apartment blocks. The ‘Gen Y’ Demonstration House has been accredited with a ‘gold medal’ level life cycle analysis by Etool, meets the principles of the ‘One Planet Living’ sustainability framework, and has been designed to meet the essential requirements of the ‘Livable Homes’ accessibility standards.

‘King George’ is a historic jewel in East Fremantle’s hip George Street that has been converted into a truly modern house for a young family. Careful alterations to the Grade-A State-listed heritage cottage were combined with a starkly contemporary extension to provide an eye-catching, adaptable home. With a mixed-use zoning, the home incorporates a self-contained office and a bedroom that can be leased out. The owners also opted to forego a traditional dining room in favour of a more flexible kitchen and casual eating area; it made sense to allocate more of the limited space to areas the family would use every day. We achieved versatility through the design of a kitchen-island bench that is a prep space and breakfast bar generally, but can act as a dining table for six when moved next to the window seat. The inbuilt courtyard seating is an extension of the garage floor slab; this same flowing concrete form then drives upward to form a BBQ benchtop. A table can be moved into this courtyard nook to allow a group to dine outdoors.

This home explores interconnected spaces, materials and volumes. A young family with interconnecting lives set a brief for a robust family home. Large open living spaces, connection to outdoor areas as well as private living and playing spaces are all elements of an intricate brief. The clients’ material preferences were complex and somewhat inconsistent – a building form developed that celebrated the two directions in a single composition. A significant home with 200m² of basement and 400m² of living with complex state-of-the art home automation, pools, spas and glazed pool windows has been achieved for a rate more consistent with a simpler two storey build, representing excellent value for money. A strong curved form of stone creates arcs through the home, opening up to the street to form an entry and to the rear to access the backyard, swelling in the centre to conceal the machine of the house. Small bridges penetrate through this thin skin to provide access to the servicing side. Partnered with this curve is a massive off form concrete box which floats over the living spaces providing an eave to the North glass and forming a contemporary veranda. This rectilinear form contrast the soft curve and strengthens the impact of both the curve and the floating box through their interrelationship. A third architectural component houses spaces that a shared by the clients (master bedroom and suite, study and family room). The adoption of a stylised domestic roof form is designed to marry more consistently with the architectural language of the street and the context. This residential form is broken down as the roof cladding cascades over the front of the home to conceal garaging. The external spaces make use of the significant falls of the site. The pool forms its own pool fence and has been celebrated through a pool window which transforms the subsurface nature of a pool into a picture window. The front courtyard is raised from the street and open. This outdoor space, coupled with the family room behind, creates a connection with the community which was a critical brief item. The first floor and ground floor are connected by a vertical void space which allows informal interaction from upstairs to downstairs, creating a generous void space to the entry which explores the tension between the soft curve and the mass concrete box in the third dimension. Light is controlled to the North to passively permit winter sun and excluded summer light. The East and West glazed walls are protected by automated external blinds. Automated louvers to the south west are partnered with high level automated windows to allow natural ventilation of the home. The landscape design and structural engineering contribute to the composition of the building. The concrete box was conceived to float over the living spaces, emphasising the contrast between its mass and the light touching to the ground. The landscaping creates a series of external rooms using mass planting and screening which continues the theme of interconnected spaces and volumes.

Sitting on a street of white rendered, pitched roof suburban houses, this project couldn’t be more different, its architecture proudly referencing South Beach’s industrial heritage and providing its owners with a robust and generous ‘warehouse for living’. More than simply a gesture to the site’s history, however, the house’s form and materials respond to an ambitious brief that called for a large home on a deep, narrow block for a family with teenage children. Working closely with client, engineers and builder, we developed an architectural approach that created simple, robust spaces that avoid the use of expensive materials. Using a saw-tooth typology that was once common to the area, rooms are filled with light and air, their materials and finishes tough but not without domestic comfort.