red brickwork and bone-colored walls compose hyde park house's facade in australia

contemporary Hyde Park House resides on Perth’s busy street

Australian firm Robeson Architects takes over the construction of a single-family house overlooking the leafy Hyde Park in Perth and the city skyline while maintaining its privacy. Whilst not strictly a ‘heritage control zone’, the area is defined by ‘character’ properties that conform to the local council’s permitted external materials, street setbacks, and building forms. The project aims for a contemporary interpretation of the neighborhood’s distinguished elements fitting into the streetscape and avoiding a ‘faux heritage’ look. A red-brown handmade face brick clads the eastern portion of the home, echoing the red brick used prolifically in the neighborhood, while bone-colored stuccoed walls compose the western portion of the facade.

all images by Dion Robeson

the structure splits down the middle forming various levels

Following the region’s building restrictions, the design team expands the structure within the suggested height significantly increasing second-story setbacks and manipulating the floor levels for optimal spatial distribution. The volume splits lengthways down the middle with the eastern side housing the bedrooms sitting on natural ground level, the first floor developing over it, and a basement for cars arranged underneath. The western half of the residence assembles the ‘living wing’ in a single story, lifted slightly above the natural ground level forming high, undulating ceiling heights and volumes whilst still complying with height limits. The living zone enjoys views of the park’s greenery while, also, providing privacy from the traffic and bystanders.

The full-height ‘Vitrosca’ glazing to the dining room slides back into a pocket wall enabling the space to stretch out onto the terrace, forming one large indoor-outdoor room. While the dining room faces south, the lounge area is located at the opposite end of the living wing facing north. The glazing and eaves allow maximum winter sun penetration during the winter, and sun protection during the summer months. The lounge room opens onto a large backyard with a raised pool and deck that overlooks the park and greenery through the structure. The pool wall is clad in a burgundy Japanese ceramic tile, with recessed garden up-lighting to highlight it at night. The curved shape of the swimming pool contrasts the rectilinear building forms. The residence stands sympathetic to the streetscape and adjacent heritage properties, presenting contemporary elements.

a red-brown face brick clads the eastern side of the home, echoing the look of the neighborhood

the face-brick walls form deep shadows and textures

The eastern portion of the home is clad in a reddish-brown handmade face brick, echoing the red brick used prolifically in the neighborhood. The brick’s brown and blue tones complement the building’s charcoal accents. The face brick wall has a slight curve which subtly references the art deco homes which are predominant on the street and softens the edges of the facade of the building. The deep, raked joins of the face-brick form deep shadows adding texture to the walls. Internally the materials are pared back and minimal, and the walnut timber cladding on the external front door wraps internally around the dining room and entry to conceal a hidden powder room and coat cupboard. The timber cladding is also featured in the master suite, enfolding the walk-in-robe and shaping a cabinetry unit in the ensuite.

bone-colored stuccoed walls compose the western portion of the facade

the curved shape of the swimming pool contrasts the rectilinear building forms

the pool wall is clad in a burgundy Japanese ceramic tile

the deep, raked joins of the face-brick form deep shadows adding texture to the walls

internally the materials are pared back and minimal, accentuating the modern furnishings

1/2

 

 

project info:

name: Hyde Park House
designer: Robeson Architects | @robeson_architects

landscape design: CAPA Landscape Architects

location: Mount Lawley, Perth, Australia

photography: Dion Robeson | @dionrobeson