The Architectural Marvel of 123 House in Nedlands, Perth

Neil Cownie: "The goal for me in the design of any new building is to achieve a building that sits comfortably with the suburbs-built form history. In my search for the unique attributes of the site for 123 House, I looked to the history of the suburb, the history of the site and my clients own experiences, to create a house that provided a 'sense of belonging."

Historical Context:

Nedlands, an older suburb in Western Australia dating back to the early 20th century, boasts a diverse architectural history, ranging from Arts and Craft to Mediterranean and Spanish Mission styles. Within the suburb, numerous two-story apartment buildings mirror the architectural style of enlarged houses from the late 1930s, a post-depression building period. Neil's inspiration for the design of this project stemmed from the historic forms of higher-density buildings prevalent in the 1930s.

Design Challenges and Solutions:

One of the primary challenges faced in the design process was maximizing northern orientation while maintaining the desired street address of 123 Dalkeith Road. The solution lay in the clever placement of the entry at the corner of the building, ambiguously addressing both street frontages. The dynamic entry porch and corner window create a focal point, casting the street number '123' in a captivating interplay of light.

Environmental Considerations:

123 House strategically turns its back on the south side to Princess Road, optimizing small openings for cross ventilation. Meanwhile, the north and eastern sides feature larger openings for solar access, outlook, and protected cross-ventilation. This thoughtful orientation ensures maximum environmental benefits for indoor living spaces, with highlight windows allowing controlled northern light to filter into the house during winter months.

Architectural Influences:

Incorporating influences from the Greek Islands and the local Nedlands architecture, 123 House stands out with its curved forms, terracotta tiled roofs, and white painted walls. The internal design reflects the textural ambiance of Greek beachside tavernas, featuring timber fiber acoustic wall panels and face brick walls. The curved ceilings evoke the spirit of traditional Greek villages, promoting sun and ventilation through strategically placed highlight windows.

"There were several things that lead me to determine the materials used in the fabric of the house. The selection of the external materials of brickwork and terracotta tiles are in keeping with the majority of the houses within the suburb. Their colour however, being a chalky off white face brick and a Pearl white glazed roof tile were chosen more out of referencing my clients own heritage, designed to provide the relaxed palette of a Greek taverna," says Neil.

Shapes and colors:

The shapes and colors in the house have a sense of refined fun. Neil says:* "The curved forms are taking their cue from the local houses where arches to front porches and windows are quite common. Rather than mimicking the arch form however, I used 'half circles and part circles as repetitive shapes through both the architecture and interior design."*

Curved ceilings in the kitchen, stair, powder room, and ensuite evoke the charm of Greek village roofs and reflect the arches seen in Nedlands houses, providing central sunlight and ventilation through strategically placed highlight windows in the house.

Ampol Legacy:

The memory of the former petrol station is artfully embedded in the building fabric. Concrete impressions pay homage to the old Ampol logo, while colored glass mirrors the hues of petrol and engine oil. The balustrade, inspired by wheel spokes, and a letterbox perched upon a vehicle suspension spring add delightful touches. Internally, custom-designed elements, such as powder-coated aluminum shelving and a timber dining table reminiscent of stacked car tires, reflect the iconic Ampol logo.

Success of the project:

The success of the project was a culmination of a holistic design approach, a commitment to reflecting the history and owners' story, client collaboration, and meticulous attention to the synergy between architectural and furnishing elements. The result is a home that not only stands as a physical structure but also engages in a meaningful conversation with its occupants and surroundings.

Cownie notes: "I had the opportunity for a holistic design approach where I covered the architecture, interior design, the selection of all furnishings and curtains along with the custom design of several furniture item. My client's faith in what I was doing for them with the design of the house was to their ultimate benefit as the house has a clarity that can only be achieved when clients support the core concepts presented to them."

Details

• Project size: 296 m2
• Site size: 450 m2
• Completion date: 2022
• Building levels: 2