Houzz Tour: A Western Australia House Embraces an Outdoor Lifestyle
This generous family home in Perth is designed to celebrate a sun-loving Australian lifestyle
One great joys of living in Australia is the opportunity to live in homes that embrace the outdoors. This house, which is home to a couple who have recently moved from Britain to Australia with their four children, has been specially designed to celebrate a sun-lover’s lifestyle.
Imbued with a timeless aesthetic, the house is not only designed to be functional for children, but it also sits comfortably in its surroundings. “The clients required a house that provided a warm family feel while co-existing within a degree of formality,” says award-winning architect Neil Cownie. As one of 2016’s winners of the Dulux DIAlogue on Tour prize, Cownie is known for designing buildings that are enduring and responsive.
Influenced by both the couple’s British and Australian backgrounds, and with seamless transitions and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, the house pictured here truly creates a perfect haven for the ex-pat family’s life in Australia.
Imbued with a timeless aesthetic, the house is not only designed to be functional for children, but it also sits comfortably in its surroundings. “The clients required a house that provided a warm family feel while co-existing within a degree of formality,” says award-winning architect Neil Cownie. As one of 2016’s winners of the Dulux DIAlogue on Tour prize, Cownie is known for designing buildings that are enduring and responsive.
Influenced by both the couple’s British and Australian backgrounds, and with seamless transitions and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, the house pictured here truly creates a perfect haven for the ex-pat family’s life in Australia.
The building the young family lives in opens up in an L-shaped plan to the east and north, thereby respecting neighbours’ privacy and access to light. The plan also allows the family to have flexibility over time, as the children age and family requirements change.
“With this in mind the more formal adult living area is at one end of the L plan, and the children’s games room is at the other end,” says Cownie. “The central portion of the L plan houses the kitchen, with the family meals area to one side and the formal dining area to the ‘adult’ side.”
This plan is also designed to help the parents keep an eye on their children from the kitchen, as well as establishing a strong relationship between the internal and external areas.
For example, this central area has expansive glass doors and high windows that offer constant glimpses of the sky. “Once the large automated doors are open, the external terrace, being the hub of the house, unifies the internal living areas and they combine together. Outside and inside become one,” Cownie says.
For example, this central area has expansive glass doors and high windows that offer constant glimpses of the sky. “Once the large automated doors are open, the external terrace, being the hub of the house, unifies the internal living areas and they combine together. Outside and inside become one,” Cownie says.
The delineation of space is blurred, with the interior and exterior use of natural materials, such as copper, slate and stone (sourced from farmland in the foothills outside Perth), being used inside and out. “External alluvial stone walls run to the internal walls, linking the inside of the house with the outside,” Cownie explains. “These materials have been used for their aged patina, texture and detail, and are then contrasted with white walls to add interest.”
Sideboard: squarepeg home; Eames walnut stool and Louis Poulsen AJ floor light: Living Edge; succulent pot: Eco Outdoor
Sideboard: squarepeg home; Eames walnut stool and Louis Poulsen AJ floor light: Living Edge; succulent pot: Eco Outdoor
The stone walls provide a modern backdrop to the family dining area, while copper soffit lining runs from the upper terrace to the internal bulkhead and ceiling. “The long life of these materials was considered as contributing to a sustainable outcome for the life of the building,” says Cownie.
In the large kitchen, the wooden cabinetry complements the alluvial stone walls and walnut timber flooring, while offering a resilient and refined finish. “Solid timber cupboard fronts provide a natural finish to the kitchen,” Cownie explains. Constructed with 24-millimetre-thick solid timber, the cupboards certainly have substance.
So do the benchtops. The central island benchtop is made of reconstituted linen-coloured stone, and the front island benchtop is in a chocolate quartzite.
Toss B Sphere pendant: Hub Furniture; Arper Catifa barstool with Sumatra leather seating: Stylecraft
So do the benchtops. The central island benchtop is made of reconstituted linen-coloured stone, and the front island benchtop is in a chocolate quartzite.
Toss B Sphere pendant: Hub Furniture; Arper Catifa barstool with Sumatra leather seating: Stylecraft
The rangehood is concealed by a wall-mounted timber box, which contributes to a less utilitarian feel in the kitchen, and the detailed travertine stone slab splashback complements the timber cupboard finish.
Cownie has achieved an atmosphere of strength and serenity in this central living area through a series of sculptural planes and blocks. “Walls, ceilings and cabinetwork are expressed as unadorned interlocking sculptural blocks and planes, resulting in a calm understated setting,” he says. “Light fittings are either recessed to disappear or are suspended to exist independently of adjacent walls or ceilings.”
Copper cladding runs from the outside areas to the internal ceilings, and is designed to allow an aged patina to form over time. Other parts of the ceiling are lined with western red cedar timber battens to add detail and warmth, and to conceal acoustic insulation that absorbs reverberant noise.
Copper FlatLock walls panels: KME Tecu; Atticus dining table: Hub Furniture; Saarinen executive dining chairs: Dedece; Stchu-Moon pendant: Hub Furniture
Copper FlatLock walls panels: KME Tecu; Atticus dining table: Hub Furniture; Saarinen executive dining chairs: Dedece; Stchu-Moon pendant: Hub Furniture
The battens also conceal lighting recessed between the timber members. These lights cast low levels of illumination across the face of the stone wall, highlighting its beauty and natural texture.
The formal dining room has two outlooks: a private and intimate landscaped courtyard at one end, and an open terrace with river views at the other. “The timber batten-lined ceiling conceals acoustic lining to make for a beautifully quiet dining space, even during a noisy dinner party,” says Cownie. “The 25 individually suspended Bocci glass pendant lights glow like jewels, and the Minotti dining chairs add a dash of colour to the otherwise neutral palette.”
Walnut timber flooring; Mini glass sphere pendants: Hub Furniture; custom solid teak table: Beclau; Saarinen executive dining chairs: Dedece; Persian custom spun wool rug: Jenny Jones Rugs
Walnut timber flooring; Mini glass sphere pendants: Hub Furniture; custom solid teak table: Beclau; Saarinen executive dining chairs: Dedece; Persian custom spun wool rug: Jenny Jones Rugs
Upstairs, the master bedroom has a raked ceiling lined with timber battens, which also conceals acoustic insulation and makes for a quiet and calm room. A fireplace has been recessed into the cabinetwork, which wraps around the wall and into the ensuite.
Custom bedhead: Scalisi Fine Upholstery; Louis Poulsen AJ Table Lamp and Herman Miller Nelson Platform Bench: Living Edge
Custom bedhead: Scalisi Fine Upholstery; Louis Poulsen AJ Table Lamp and Herman Miller Nelson Platform Bench: Living Edge
“The master bedroom has been carefully placed to provide privacy to the occupants,” says Cownie. Plus, of course, panoramic views out to the Swan River. The curtains and retractable internal blinds allow for the control of daylight, while externally remote-controlled aluminium venetian blinds provide a veil of privacy.
Minotti Portofino chair and side table: Dedece
Minotti Portofino chair and side table: Dedece
The master ensuite also provides views to the Swan River, and has a view of a gracious Norfolk Island pine tree out front.
Walls, cabinets and benchtops in rich shades and natural grains complement each other and the view outside. The walls and floor tiles are in soft-coloured stone, while the vanity top and walnut cupboard fronts are darker in colour. Mirrored cabinets conceal additional storage behind.
Vitra Butterfly stool: Living Edge
Walls, cabinets and benchtops in rich shades and natural grains complement each other and the view outside. The walls and floor tiles are in soft-coloured stone, while the vanity top and walnut cupboard fronts are darker in colour. Mirrored cabinets conceal additional storage behind.
Vitra Butterfly stool: Living Edge
“The guest bathroom has a soft subtle feel, with the same stone used for the floor and walls to visually simplify the room,” Cownie says. “A warm-coloured solid-timber cupboard front adds further warmth, and mosaic tiles below the mirror-fronted cupboards add detail.”
The external terrace is the hub of the house, unifying the central areas and blurring internal and external living. Cownie says this space is pivotal to the success of the house. “The use of glass roofs and automated awnings struck a balance between solar access and rain protection, while maintaining a non-restricted view of the sky from internal areas.”
The copper internal ceiling flows into the copper-clad pergola structure. It features a square glass panel towards the outer edge of the terrace. The areas of the pergola between this roof and the building itself are open to the sky, to allow for ventilation and a sense of being outdoors. In time, the pergola will support the growth of a wisteria to soften the look of the structure.
Paola Lenti Frame outdoor chairs: Dedece; Andreu World coffee table: KE-ZU
The copper internal ceiling flows into the copper-clad pergola structure. It features a square glass panel towards the outer edge of the terrace. The areas of the pergola between this roof and the building itself are open to the sky, to allow for ventilation and a sense of being outdoors. In time, the pergola will support the growth of a wisteria to soften the look of the structure.
Paola Lenti Frame outdoor chairs: Dedece; Andreu World coffee table: KE-ZU
Cownie cleverly designed a custom wrought-iron bench seat that doubles as a balustrade around the edge of the terrace. The bench, which was shortlisted in the DIA WA Product Design Awards 2015, defines the edge of the terrace and provides safety.
“The bench seat has been designed to enhance the sense of enclosure, while the open nature of the steel horizontal members does not interfere with the view to the pool and to the river beyond,” Cownie says. “Loose cushions can come and go to add to the comfort and colour of the bench , depending on the season.”
Seating custom designed by Neil Cownie, manufactured by Metalox
“The bench seat has been designed to enhance the sense of enclosure, while the open nature of the steel horizontal members does not interfere with the view to the pool and to the river beyond,” Cownie says. “Loose cushions can come and go to add to the comfort and colour of the bench , depending on the season.”
Seating custom designed by Neil Cownie, manufactured by Metalox
The site also had a slope that Cownie cleverly factored into the external and internal design of house. “A four-metre change of level was used to step both the building and the external areas down from west to east. This provided an opportunity to maximise the height of the building and the views of the river,” Cownie explains. “It also allowed for internal and external levels to be stepped, which assisted in the spatial definition of living zones.”
The drop in levels continues outside. “With the change in levels within the garden we introduced a fantastic ‘wonderland’ for the children,” the architect adds. “From the raised alfresco terrace the external garden areas step down in a series of terraces to the pool, passing by a children’s cave which is buried into the garden escarpment.”
The drop in levels continues outside. “With the change in levels within the garden we introduced a fantastic ‘wonderland’ for the children,” the architect adds. “From the raised alfresco terrace the external garden areas step down in a series of terraces to the pool, passing by a children’s cave which is buried into the garden escarpment.”
The cave is in lieu of a cubby house, made from large boulders that form the walls and roof so that it feels like a Jurassic Park landscape the children. This area is conveniently adjacent to a window in the grandparents’ home, which offers them views of their grandchildren at play.
“I am very proud of this home,” says Cownie, who, on top of being responsible for the architecture and interior design of the property, also selected the furniture, soft furnishings and lighting as well as advising on artwork. “The owners feel very comfortable there and have a strong sense of belonging. The house is designed to age gracefully and remain relevant as their family dynamics change.”
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“I am very proud of this home,” says Cownie, who, on top of being responsible for the architecture and interior design of the property, also selected the furniture, soft furnishings and lighting as well as advising on artwork. “The owners feel very comfortable there and have a strong sense of belonging. The house is designed to age gracefully and remain relevant as their family dynamics change.”
TELL US
How do you like this very modern, multi-generational property? Tell us in the Comments section.
Who lives here: A couple, their four children and dog, Kiko
Location: Peppermint Grove, Perth, WA
Size: 990 square metres; 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, formal and informal living spaces, games room and home theatre
Architect: Neil Cownie Architect
Year completed: 2013
Awards: Shortlisted in the Design Institute of Australia WA awards, 2015; Finalist in Good Design Australia awards, 2016
This substantial house is one of two, designed by the architect. The home pictured here and below is for a young family of six, but Cownie also designed another home next door for the children’s grandparents. The houses have a kind of resort feel that Cownie created through design characterised by strong roof lines and robust materials that will age gracefully.
“The houses were designed with the same language so they complement each other and contribute to a stronger and more consistent streetscape,” says Cownie. “Open street frontages without screens, fences and gates provide a greater feeling of space, so that the entire subdivision benefits from the open and landscaped setback of these two houses.”