Dalkeith Residence / Hillam Architects

Architects: Hillam Architects
Location: Dalkeith WA 6009, Australia
Design Team: David Hillam, Felipe Soto, Tom Letherbarrow, Scott Horsburgh
Interior Design Team: Hollie Raymond Baker
Collaborators: Maek; Taylor Landscaping
Area: 1500.0 sqm
Project Year: 2015
Photographs: Joel Barbitta

From the architect. Situated in the established inner Perth suburb of Dalkeith, the full potential of an existing 1980s brickwork house was realised by a series of dramatic alterations and additions. The expansive 1500sqm site was completely transformed to include a new driveway, gatehouse and guest wing, while the large rear garden is utilised to include a new pool, generous cabana and outbuilding.

A new concrete canopy across the front elevation enhances the street presence of the residence while the reflection pool and stone tile path guide visitors to the entry, where a faceted timber window meets them at the front door.

Preserving the northern aspect of the original home was a high priority with the kitchen and main living areas to have a strong connection with the outdoors. The private areas of the house are primarily upstairs with the balcony to the master bedroom ensuring a visual connection to the tranquil pool and cabana area below.

New canopies and balconies were amalgamated with existing forms and new timber finishes that bring sophistication and warmth to the project. Existing brickwork facades are concealed behind a new, restrained palette of rough sawn Victorian Cypress and dressed Blackbutt timber cladding.

The rear elevation opens up to the garden with full height glazing around the ground floor perimeter that floods the main living, playroom and gym with northern light. A formal lounge room remains as a relic to the original house that serves as a new music and theatre room for its young family to retreat to.

The interior finishes mirror the exterior materiality and feature Blackbutt cladding and floors to the living areas, while the curving kitchen cabinets are finished in a blackened timber veneer.