Western Australia
Burt Street house is an experiment with small spaces and big tables. This house is one of two semi-detached cottages built using limestone from the former quarry on which they sit.
Our brief was to bring the outdoor bathroom inside and facilitate a sunny, wind protected courtyard despite a challenging south-west orientation.
The 1890’s original house has been largely unaltered. A new vertical volume, anchored by a generous dining table forms the new heart of the house. An outbuilding with another table has been positioned on the rear boundary for flexible use, bike storage, as a wind break and night lantern.
This project celebrates the value of existing elements, seeking to peel back a colourful history through layers of paint and weathered materials. Imperfections present stories in a new light and give a lively backdrop for the current custodians of the house.
Architects Kate Moore and Gian Tonossi describe their home as ‘an experiment in small spaces and big tables’. Despite maintaining the largely unchanged floorplan of the 1890s Fremantle cottage, the addition of a mere 2-meter extension has enhanced the programming of the entire home. Opening onto an intimate courtyard that is bordered by a new <25sqm studio structure along the rear boundary, the three spaces form a cohesive relationship transforming the possibilities and functions across the 205sqm site. Through holistic planning and an innovative approach to space utilisation, levels, and volumes, this project showcases how small and crafted interventions can yield remarkable results.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
