Bulwer Street Semi

Perth, Western Australia

Great design and clever use of space brought new life to this old Highgate worker’s cottage, and managed to restore some of its Federation appeal in the process.



More than a simple alteration, this project involved stripping away existing additions to bring the owner’s vision to life. A modest, semi-detached worker’s cottage in Highgate, the house had the inner-city location the owners loved, but not yet the contemporary outdoor lifestyle they wanted.
Our design made the most of the compact lot by connecting the different areas of the house all the way through, with as few interruptions as possible. We removed many of the previous alterations, including a poorly constructed ‘lean-to’ and a concrete verandah canopy. Our new extension opened up the interior of the house to the northern aspect, creating a garden terrace area which merges seamlessly with the indoor living space. This terrace area is designed for the owners to enjoy year-round, with stepped levels offering casual seating, and ample shelter from the new overhanging balcony. A timber-framed bull-nose verandah returned some Federation Era style to the front of the home, and the original living room and bedrooms were also restored. What was once a closed-in, poorly renovated house is now a spacious contemporary home, which gives its owners the best of modern inner-city living without losing its Federation appeal.