Kathleen Street

The project is an alteration and addition of an existing C1930’s brick and tile bungalow, in the beach side suburb of Cottesloe. The conceptual approach to the site was to celebrate the sense of connection with the beach side location; an informal ‘beach house’ spirit; fluid connection of inside to out; a house that inhales the cool sea breezes and captures glimpses of the iconic Cottesloe pine trees at sunset. As the site is several blocks from the beach with no view of the ocean – an ‘imagined vista’ is superimposed onto the glass louver screen that shrouds the upper level; a pixelated pattern of translucent whites, blues and greys evoke light reflecting off the water or gathering clouds in a blue sky. The composition of the addition is a play of ‘mass and lightness’, consisting of white painted brick, as counter weight to the dark cantilevered box above. The dining, kitchen, living areas are anchored by a generous island bench that serves as the family ‘meeting’ place, openingup to the north onto a sheltered deck overlooking the lower swimming pool courtyard. The resulting robust, refined home for parents with teenage sons, is perfectly tailored to the family’s lifestyle. Award: AIA (WA Chapter) Residential Architecture Award for Houses (Alterations and Additions) 2014 Builder: Wandoo Building Co. Photographers: Michael Patroni and Dimmity Walker