Hillam Architects were asked by their client to design an update for their 1980’s home in Perth, Australia. This new home with contemporary updates was realized by a series of dramatic alterations and additions. The house is mostly glass, steel and concrete, and features a central swimming pool that thrusts forward, enjoying views of the surrounding valley. A new concrete canopy across the front elevation enhances the street presence of the residence while the reflection pool and stone tile path guide visitors to the entry, where a faceted timber window meets them at the front door. Preserving the northern aspect of the original home was a high priority with the kitchen and main living areas to have a strong connection with the outdoors.
The private areas of the house are primarily upstairs with the balcony to the master bedroom ensuring a visual connection to the tranquil pool and cabana area below. The rear elevation opens up to the garden with full height glazing around the ground floor perimeter that floods the main living, playroom and gym with northern light. A formal lounge room remains as a relic to the original house that serves as a new music and theater room for its young family to retreat to. The interior finishes mirror the exterior materiality and feature Blackbutt cladding and floors to the living areas, while the curving kitchen cabinets are finished in a blackened timber veneer.
