This 1950’s red brick house was a classic ugly duckling: an unremarkable suburban home with a fantastic location and huge potential. The owners saw this potential and were willing to invest the time and money to transform their house into a beautiful (and award-winning) swan, complete with city views and contemporary outdoor living spaces.

We remodelled the existing house substantially, removing the roof and major walls to make the most of the elevated block with a new multi-level plan. The new master suite and living spaces float above the basement garage and ground level, with wide expanses of glass and high raked ceilings to drink in the city views and give the owners a real sense of space. A dark weatherboard ‘box’ houses the ensuite and walk-in-robe off the master bedroom, also helping to protect the west-facing aspect of the home from the harsh afternoon sun. From within, the owners have a private, mesmerising ‘Ned Kelly’ view of the skyline. Alongside the graceful white wings of the new roof, this box gives the house unique form and a real presence on the street, as well as providing shelter and shade over the entryway.

The owners love Perth’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle and wanted something a little more than the traditional backyard. We designed courtyards to both the front and rear of the property, linked via the timber platform and decking areas through the house. This gives them a sense of effortless movement between the indoor and outdoor spaces, with each sharing a feeling of both openness and seclusion.