In Bayswater, Perth, two established Eucalyptus trees are the sole survivors of a corner block that was destined for greater things. A family of six and a dog had spent the past ten years in the old weatherboard house there. Then they turned to Robeson Architects to create a modern forever home without disrespecting the area’s heritage.
“We didn’t want to put some modern monstrosity on a prominent corner,” associate Lauren Benson laughs.
Or cut down the two trees.
“The trees were not protected by the council but were very important to the family, so we engaged an arborist to ensure their retention,” she says.
First demolishing the old house, then carefully addressing the tree roots and the five-metre steep slope from the rear boundary to the street, the team set to work against the challenging site.
Rather than resist the steep gradient, the design integrates the slope into the undercroft garage and floor levels without excessive excavation or a sloping driveway. The tree roots were kept in place happily.
As a result, the house sits comfortably on its block. Soft-scaping cascades along one side of the house directing entry to the front. The balcony and upper-level step back evenly with materials that complement the local context, including spotted gum beams that form a dramatic arch over the entry and black-stained plywood cladding.
“The timber beams also run internally. They pick up the roof structure, and we’ve kept them exposed, so it’s a strong design feature,” Lauren says.
Across two floors, the house is split into four key volumes to harness light and volume. There are six bedrooms, including a study/guest bedroom and a rumpus room, with an undercroft and ground floor to the northeast, and the kitchen and bedroom areas on the southwest.
The bedrooms at the rear allow for unobstructed ceiling heights in the main living zones, which also enables a raised roof introducing high-level glazing, light and leafy views. Orientating the house to the north — the back garden — maximises thermal comfort and connection.
A clever touch is the fireplace separating while anchoring the lounge and dining areas, without enclosing either.
“This provides space for artwork in the dining area and is a practical mount for the television in the lounge,” Lauren says.
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In the kitchen, a quartzite was chosen for the bench and splashback, while in the laundry and ensuite, a grey Kabuki granite is highly textured and contrasts with the warm spotted gum accents.
“It was a happy almost mistake because we were expecting the granite to be a bit darker when we went to purchase it. But I love it, and it’s better for this project,” she says.
Upstairs, green views are captured in most of the bedrooms, which have identical layouts but different personal touches through Eucalyptus and cool blue tiling.
Finally, the owners engaged Lauren and her team to source all the house’s furniture, artwork and decorative pieces, enabling a rich cohesion across the spaces.
This included local furniture maker Marshal Wood, who crafted the dining table, and art purchased through Perth-based Linton & Kay Galleries.
“We outsourced everything — even the toaster,” Lauren says.
It meant that different artworks could be mock-hung in situ before final decisions were made by Simone and her team. Furniture pieces include a custom navy couch, Walter Knoll chairs, Ethnicraft coffee table and rug from Temple Fine Rugs.
Paving and large boulders near the entry are a tribute to the client, a geologist, and add a fitting, personal touch to complement the block’s treasured trees.
