Location: Dalkeith, Perth
Date of Completion: 2019
Dalkeith is one of Perth’s most salubrious suburbs. Located near the Swan River, it’s always been known for its many fine architect-designed homes – this being one of them. Surrounded by mature trees, with several new trees added by landscape architect Jo Taylor, this property, like many of its neighbours, doesn’t come with a front fence. Instead, Mountford McCarey Architects working with Taylor, created a berm as well as used battens on the front façade to create privacy from the street.
Designed for a couple with two children, one of the starting points for this new two-storey house was the selection of bricks, or in this case, pavers. These pavers, a Bowral blue, were first seen by the clients when visiting Sydney – in particular the Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale, designed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer which used these pavers both in the pedestrian links as well as in some of the interiors. However, other similarities to what was once an old brewery stop there.
Keen to form part of the streetscape, Mountford McCarey Architects also used these pavers as insets to the concrete path to the front door – cantilevered concrete plinths near the entrance also double as outdoor seating. And to add texture, as well as privacy, the tilt-up concrete panelled house features timber battens on the upper façade as well as a large timber front door. While the southern elevation is relative discrete, the home’s rear elevation, orientated to the north, features generous glazing – with large glass sliding doors disappearing into a cavity wall to blur the division between indoors and out.
At ground level, there’s a large open plan living, dining and kitchen area, all benefiting from natural light through the angular ceiling. And while the spaces are extremely light and effervescent, the Bowral-blue pavers, arranged in a tapestry patten, have been strategically placed in various areas to ‘anchor’ the home – for the staircase, to frame the open fireplace in the main living area, as well as for a feature wall in the kitchen with its angular-shaped island bench. Also at ground level, there’s also a guest bedroom, a laundry and, importantly, a bathroom that’s accessible for both an ageing parent and for this home to be the owners’ ‘forever house’.
With the living areas at ground level, the first floor, including a mezzanine breakout area for the children, is given over to three bedrooms which includes the main bedroom and ensuite. This is clearly a robust home for a couple with two young children. But it’s also a house that will allow for both the parents and children to easily move through their life cycles – over decades.
