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Sitting prominently on a raised corner block on Fremantle’s oceanside Marine Terrace, this project by David Barr Architects is a simple sculptural rear addition to a heritage brick cottage. Built for a couple with adult children, the house reflects the clients’ casual and warm lifestyle expressed through the home’s planning, materials and approach to detailing.

Grafted to a house with a traditional central corridor and discrete rooms, the overall plan is simple. There’s a north-facing dining and kitchen area on the ground floor and master bedroom suite with a balcony on the second floor. A generous day lit staircase joins the two levels and caps the extension, a back door leading to a small storeroom and outdoor parking space beyond.

The two-storey brick volume is ‘carved’ into, with large openings recessed into the elevation. Chamfered walls create angular shadows across the textured white bricks, revealing a softer internal layer of timber.

Marine was recently shortlisted in the residential category of WA Architecture Awards, which honours the excellence in the design and construction industry by the Australian Institute of Architects.

We had a quick chat to David Barr about this project for additional insight and here’s what he had to say.

+ Can you tell us about your favourite thing about this project?

The design and construction process was incredibly enjoyable due to our client’s enthusiasm for design, great personal stories and overall engagement with the architectural journey. We have developed a strong bond throughout the process and as a result remain in close contact. The project itself is a reflection of this journey with a project culminating as a result of site context influences, client aspirations and narrative as well as historical references.

+ What was the most challenging aspect of bringing this house to life? Can you tell us about any obstacles you encountered?

We spent a lot of time testing a range of material samples, from brick mortar joints, brick bagged finishing, integrated cabinetry handles, suspended rod cabinetry, paint colours, external and window frame detailing and selecting individual plywood sheeting for the cabinetry and ceiling.

+ What aspect of this project are you most proud of?

Experiencing the finished house is always a delight, when the assemblage of all the parts come together to create an atmosphere beyond any pre-conceived notions. It is the qualities of the light, the shadows, the breezes through the house, the temperature control and the acoustics that really complete the project.

+ Are there any other interesting facts you could share with us?

The house was originally owned by an accountant who commissioned an architect to design the original home, which was built in 1905. As a professional, the accountant was able to afford some crafted details in the existing timber work. Later in 1914, the pumping station was built which is a prominent structure adjacent to the house and to South Beach. The solid forms of the pumping station, as well as the crafted existing timber work, become strong influences on our approach to the addition.

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