A few hundred metres from the Swan River, this Salter Point home is the perfect balance of practicality and creativity. Clever design works with the site to create a bright, spacious home with the flexibility needed for growing children and ageing-in-place. Our involvement was only the very beginning of its story and we’re sure it’ll host countless memories in the years to come.
CONSIDERED DESIGN
When the clients came to us with this project, they’d already bought a block of land and needed us to manage the design and construction process. They were particularly keen to build a home that allowed for flexibility and ageing-in-place. So, we brought on someone with the practical creativity to do just this: Will Thomson from WILT Design.
The first, and most important inclusion—which played a significant role in the clients’ choice of land—was a self-contained studio. In the short term, this could offer a space to host guests or house ageing parents in their own private space. In the long-term, it can act as a stepping stone into adulthood for the kids before they move out. In case it goes through long-periods of time without being used, it has a separate electric unit that can be powered down if needed, to avoid wasting power.
The 4-bed 3-bath home was further future-proofed in a few other ways. Until they’re old enough to move into the unit, the two children have their own kids’ zone, which is separated from the rest of the home through a huge cavity slider door. In here, they have a rumpus room and their two bedrooms, compete with built-in desks for studying through school and into higher education. For the parents, a single-storey design was chosen to allow for ageing-in-place.
Built in desks future-proofing each of the kids’ rooms.
While the block wasn’t tiny, it was still a challenge to fit all this on a narrow 550m2, especially with a large two-storey home next door. Space-saving design was prioritised with minimal hallways, a combined pantry and laundry, and hidden storage in the kitchen island. Then, it was a matter of making it look nice as well. A secret door provides access to the primary suite from the living room without breaking the design flow. But what’s particularly impressive is just how bright, spacious and private it is despite an enormous two-storey house next door. This was kept from being too imposing with well-placed viewing corridors—views through the home that avoid obstructions of nearby development—and windows.
The secret door leading into the master suite.
EYE-CATCHING DESIGN
For clients who were keen to subtly express their keen interest in art and design, this home finds a beautiful balance between contemporary and mid-century styles, and some unique stand-out pieces. On the façade, it’s a contemporary style that takes the reins, with Monument Colorbond contrasting with the darker shades of Scyon ‘Axon’ and ‘Matrix’ cladding.
Inside, the main home holds three beds; two baths; an open plan kitchen, living and dining; and a combined pantry and laundry. The spaces are filled with natural light and lots of raw elements like the expanse of burnished concrete flooring and feature Iron Ash that’s carried from the kitchen out through the living room to the alfresco. Subtle pink kitchen cabinetry adds even more colour, complimented by three gorgeous pendant lights that were chosen by the clients. In the bathrooms, similar colours are carried through in white ceramic tiles that extend to the ceiling and encaustic cement tiles on the floors. Out the back, a large alfresco and spa area offer ideal locations for entertaining, and a breezeway leads to the fully self-contained apartment.
OUTGOING CLIENTS
Genuinely brilliant to work with, these clients were an active family of four: a working couple and their two teenage daughters. Very interested in art and design, they were quite involved in the planning process, and always keen to include their own creative flair.
“…We wanted a bespoke home, and from our first meeting with Mark and Owen, we knew we would get one. Arklen linked us to an architect they thought would suit our style, and a design and budget were developed before we committed.
The construction phase felt effortless; we were encouraged to be involved and embraced the process. Our slab pour was particularly memorable. Quality and craftsmanship are guaranteed, as Mark is a perfectionist. We could not fault his eye for detail and his contagious passion. He is an excellent communicator; he kept our neighbours and us in the loop throughout the build, which fostered positive relationships.
We now have a unique home that fits how we live perfectly; it is a home we are truly proud of and a pure joy to live in…”
AWARDS
2022 - HIA Perth Housing Awards
Winner - Innovation in Lightweight Housing $800k and over
Winner - Lightweight Housing of the Year
Finalist - Custom Built Home of the Year $800k - $1.2m
Finalist - Residential Design of the Year
Finalist - Peter Overman Award for Perth Innovation in Housing
2022 - HIA WA Housing Award
Finalist - Innovation in Lightweight Housing of the Year
Photography by Stephen Nicholls Photography