Star Swamp (Mooro Country) occupies an important place in Boorloo / Perth’s history. Culturally significant to the local Noongar people for millennia, it is a place for gathering water, catching food, camping, tool making and trading. After colonisation, the trading routes continued as Aboriginal and white stockmen used the place as a stopping point. In the 1970’s it was a thriving holiday town with the most beautiful beaches in the region.
For many years, there stood an ordinary 1980s home that was multi-level and no cross ventilation. That was until an environmentally aware English couple, Craig and Natalie approached architect Suzanne Hunt and her team to create a home that was not only befitting of the sloping 1,000 square-metre site, but also one aligned to geo-thermal principles – given the temperature extremes in Perth.
A diagonal fall of 4.5 metres across the site to the north-east provided the ‘canvas’ to create a subterranean area below the two-level house. This helped with the geo-thermal design for heating and cooling, which was Craig’s passion – something that is rare to achieve in Australia, given the cost and the complexity of following such a path. The large lower ground basement allowed for the storage of the owners’ collection of surfboards and riding equipment, cars, and infrastructure to support PV panels and the geo-thermal infrastructure.
There was also a desire by both Craig and Natalie to create a comfortable, well-planned contemporary home, using passive design solutions. The material palette was to be beautiful and honest, have longevity and provide for a thermal environment. SHA used a pared back palette with the extensive use of timber, rammed earth, porcelain tiles, double glazing, softened with sheer curtains for all the windows and doors.
Pivotal to the design is a central double height void that connects to the kitchen and the main living spaces. The sunken living area on one side of the house, complete with extensive joinery, also loosely delineates the spaces. And while there is a contemporary open plan living area, Hunt was mindful of her clients’ English background and love of a separate lounge at the front of the home where the family could enjoy coming together, such as singing around the piano, playing board games or watching movies. Strategically placed courtyards also allow for ‘breathing space’ between areas and allow for contemplative moments.
On the first level, accessed by the stairs or alternatively by a lift to allow for ‘ageing in place’, there’s the main bedroom suite, with its spacious ensuite and generous walk-in wardrobe. A roof terrace accessed via this bedroom allows for unimpeded views of Star Swamp, along with breezes from the south-west to cool things down in the afternoon. Upstairs, there are also three additional bedrooms, two for the adult children and a third for family and friends visiting from overseas.
Given the proximity of the ocean, the team designed a curved wave-like roof that creates a drawcard for those passing by, but also importantly captures the sou-westerly sea breezes in the afternoon. For those walking in Star Swamp, their eyes are drawn not only to the bush, but now this striking new contemporary home.
