North Perth Residence
Inspired by the mid-century modern era, this North Perth home is designed to evolve with its growing family.
DESIGN + BUILD Residential Attitudes • PHOTOGRAPHY D-Max Photography • STORY Elizabeth Clarke
In recent years, there has been a rising interest in living in a home that grows with its household, and this was the key focus for Residential Attitudes designer Michal Kurtis when designing this award-winning North Perth home. “It needed to accommodate the changing requirements of this family of four and also be adaptable to needs of their extended family units,” he tells Havenist.
Positioned on a sloping block, the home takes in views over the trees and rooftops. Its mid-century modern aesthetic evolved in part, says Michal, as a reaction to its setting. “We were sensitive to the environment and the home’s bulk scale and form within the neighbourhood and wanted the street elevation not to be overpowering or intrusive and to blend as much as possible with the neighbourhood’s mix of old and new houses,” he says. “The family wanted a modern and practical home that was sophisticated and timeless.”
Light, bright, and utilising every square inch of functionality, the 3-level home caters for private and communal areas and boasts a polished contemporary style that provides comfort for all.
The main level contains the kitchen, which was honoured with the HIA Western Australia Kitchen & Bathroom Awards and New Kitchen Up to $40,000, dining and family space, courtyard and outdoor entertaining and a side balcony that faces a second elevated street that takes in dramatic sunsets. At the other end, off a private laneway, is a garage with an upstairs art studio that doubles as a self-contained flat with private access to the children's zone and main living.
The lower level houses the adult’s retreat. Designed as a private sanctuary, it is connected yet separate from the rest of the house with a private garden and views through a mid-century style breeze block wall. “Specific zones allow separate places for everyone and places to come together,” says Michal. “It's a home that epitomises contemporary living and mid-century modern design.”
With an emphasis on lifestyle, family time, and nature, mid-century modern homes built after the 2nd World War included large windows with garden outlooks and open living spaces where the whole family could be entertained. Their kitchens also boasted up-to-the-minute technology, so families spent less time cleaning and more time with each other.
As such, this sleek, seamless home features clean lines and geometric shapes combined with floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors and plenty of access points to the garden. Short staircases connect rooms throughout, and partial brick walls and cabinetry add depth to interiors. Strong, simple furnishings with strict lines and a muted colour palette complement the home’s simple forms and exteriors.
“We chose a metal roof for ease and flexibility and to achieve a skillion roof design,” he says. “Inside and out, breeze blocks, fluted glass and timber partitioned internal spaces are details indicative and historical with regards to homes built within this suburb with a mid-century modern vernacular,” says Michel. “We used thermal mass and oriented open living spaces in a way that harnesses natural light and heat and created breezeways to cool and heat these areas naturally.”
Comforting and practical for a young family and geared towards a contemporary temporary lifestyle, this home is one for the ages and a welcome addition to its neighbourhood.
The house is characterised by natural materials including timber panelling and stone. The splashback is clad in vertically laid Antique Polar Bar mosaics. Timber panelling imbues a true mid-century modern feel in the award-winning kitchen.
The scullery is discreetly concealed through a side door. The kitchen features appliances from Asko, including Pyrolytic built-in ovens, a Pro Series Induction Cooktop and rangehood. The benchtops are in Essastone Zinc, the cabinetry is crafted in Laminex Terril, the pantry is in Laminex Teak, and the overhead cabinets are in Laminex White.
A play of different materials and textures creates a feeling of relaxation. Appliances include a family-friendly Fisher & Paykel French door refrigerator.
A curved niche lined in timber and upholstery makes good use of space and provides a cosy nook to curl up in. The desk and snug are lined in Laminex Teak.
The kitchen connects with other social parts of the house that flow all the way to the garden.
The living room is populated with mid-century modern-inspired furnishings in a natural palette with shades of blue and green seen elsewhere throughout the home.
Wood panelling and pared-back furnishings with strong silhouettes create a modern minimalist look. A textual rug, greenery, and printed fabrics provide softness. The fireplace is by Escea, the cabinetry is in Laminex Teak, and the floating shelves are in Laminex Terril.
In the carefully considered living space, Michal made the most of every available corner, adding built-in shelving and a timber plinth that houses a fireplace.
Low-slung modern furniture creates a loungey look that provides its family with style and comfort.
Introducing strong, playful colours provides a minimal home with impact. Feature elements painted in Dulux Alliance Green feel vibrant and optimistic when teamed with neutral tones and organic materials.
Sculptural statement lights counterbalance the simplistic crafted feel of the stairwell.
Brick, timber and steel bring tactility to the home’s mid-century modern look, while sharp geometric lines are softened with well-judged pops of colour.
A green feature wall in Dulux Misty Moore and architectural lighting amps up the style ante in the master bedroom, giving the otherwise calm scheme a feeling of energy.
The alfresco area acts as an extension of the inside living spaces. The benchtops are in high-performing Dekton porcelain from Cosentino.
The open-plan living area offers a direct sense of connection with the alfresco area through large glass doors that allow the garden to seep in. A sunken fire pit made of double clay utility bricks provides warmth and atmosphere.
The simplicity of the home’s architecture is emphasised by edges and window frames outlined in black. Dark, warm timber infill applied in strategic locations breathes detail and warmth into the elevations. “We wanted to reflect upon the colours and materials traditionally used in the area but also express a contemporary aesthetic,” says Michel. “The rendered brickwork is a base that is functional, economic and in context with other existing and new homes in the neighbourhood.”
The front facade provides a dramatic preview of the interiors with a raked roof, austere lines and a sharp monochromatic colour palette. The front door is painted in Dulux Alliance.
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