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Inspired by “the indoor and outdoor living houses of Brisbane”, while encapsulating northern light and distributing it evenly among the shared spaces, is the captivating East Fremantle House. Designed by Nic Brunsdon and built by TALO Construction, this 230 square metre family residence is an extension of a heritage Federation House in Western Australia; and a contender for 2021 WA Architecture Awards. Quiet, quaint, and classic at the front, what lies behind is a “lumpy extension” that proves you don’t need a mass build to maximise living spaces.

Conceived through the client’s curiosity of Burnsdon’s North Perth House, this project incorporates a heritage home on a narrow plot (as always) that runs east-west. The clients desired an extension that would align with the architecture’s history and the context of the site.

Related: Marine House in South Fremantle by David Barr Architects.

A consideration to sustainability in the architectural design influenced the extension to be a handle-like form made of geometry that resembles children’s wooden building blocks. The clients, a growing family with two infant children, requested a home that would grow with their lifestyle and potential space for additional relatives.

The original house is gently restored to comprise of three bedrooms before revealing a corridor with kitchen, dining, entertainment lined in a queue that ascends into a staircase leading to an attic sleeping quarter. The new arm cradles a generous garden room (or void) that sits in front of the kitchen accessible via sliding glass panels, beckoning glorious flooding of natural light into central spaces. A second entrance is tastefully introduced through the side of the property, offering personal space for storage, and studying.

The stability in materiality and timelessness in style are the hallmarks of this project. Externally, light nectarine timber and tactile white stucco-clad the extension shell. Internally, a striking colour-blocking palette adorns the interior likening to seasonal changes. A moody curved masonry entrance of the original house transitions into a breezy summery open area made of antique-gold exposed timber ceiling and white rendered brick walls – backlit by concaved and boxy pockets of natural light. The blank canvas is collaged with a niche peppered marble benchtop and polished concrete floors before returning to classic dark stained timber floors. A sculpted concrete sunken lounge at the rear with plush blue carpet offers a picturesque grassy experience of the garden room. The bathroom on the ground is paved with burnt burgundy vertically tiled bathrooms – a moody autumnal ensemble amplified with dramatic lighting reflected from the northern courtyard. The longing for fall is contrasted by the ensuite above with the summer swimming pool to fulfil a light-filled ablution space.

Brunsdon’s eye for quality material and a well-curated arrangement allows for a growing relationship between the architecture and the family members. A level of quiet confidence, although ready to become a canvas for vulnerable sentiments – excitement awaits within the East Fremantle House.

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