By NIC BRUNSDON
The East Fremantle House is a contextually responsive addition to a heritage cottage in suburban Perth. The most important part of this house is the space that is not built - specifically, a large northern void - a space for sun, light, sky, sound, and breeze to inhabit.
Formally, the house is expressed in four parts; the existing brick cottage, an entry link, the ground floor addition, and the first floor addition. The entry link acts as a mediating point, the connective tissue between the elements. Dark, hard and solemn.
On the southern face, the ancillary program elements are expressed as ‘lumps’; a tall triangular chimney for the fireplace, a curved north facing shell for an art wall, a low top-lit box for the kitchen, and a high round cylinder for a powder room.
Photography: Dion Robeson
NIC BRUNSDON is a practice of designers and architects who are globally connected, experienced and purpose-led. The practice is committed to the delivery of well-conceived and thoughtful architecture. We work within a select range of built environment typologies (namely, housing, hospitality, cultural and civic) with a common approach to sustainability, community, and wellness.
Our projects are located throughout Australia and globally, this international connection shaped our philosophy that our projects must be responsive to the local land and people, evoke emotion, and are based on a process of inclusivity.
Our primary studio is located in Perth, WA on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. Our satellite studios are found in Sydney, NSW on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and in Melbourne, VIC on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We work together as one team without borders.