This vacant lot on beautiful Park Road wasn’t quite the blank slate it appeared to be. Situated in the Mount Lawley Heritage Protection Area, the site was heavily overlaid with council regulations and design restrictions. Our design would need to link back to the surrounding Federation houses, while still meeting contemporary living and sustainability standards.

The owners, a busy professional couple, needed a low-maintenance home with a few unique features. Our four-bedroom design included a study and plenty of storage, as well a spacious, light-filled kitchen which opens out onto a grand decked verandah. Their collection of cars would be housed in a custom five-car garage at the rear of the lot, with roller-door access to the main courtyard. We positioned a guest bedroom at the rear of the house, off the kitchen, to offer mutual privacy and independence from the main bedrooms.

Space was also a big consideration, given the modest, single-storey layout. Interior spaces were kept open and expansive, with large windows to break up the solidity of the Federation brick. We made the most of the lot’s orientation, with ample north-facing outdoor areas to maximise winter sun, while still retaining some protection from the worst heat of summer. A simple landscape design makes the outdoor areas easy to maintain, and maximises space for entertaining.

The finished home is classic Federation in form and feeling, with some carefully selected modern touches. Heritage guidelines meant we were limited in our choice of materials, so we opted for a simple aesthetic which is a lot cleaner than traditional early-1900s homes, but doesn’t sacrifice the warm character of the Federation style.