NORTH PERTH _ Vertical infill
Due for completion in May 2026
Located on a constrained site in North Perth, this project is a surgical addition to a traditional four-room cottage. By building upward directly above a 2014 ground-floor living area extension the design preserves precious outdoor space while significantly expanding the home’s functionality and limiting structural demolition work.
type
location
client
site area
addition area
| residential
| north perth, Western Australia
| private
| 435m2
| 55.2m2
The Decision
Our clients came to us at a crossroads—sell their 1920s cottage previosuly renovated in 2014 or invest in something new. With rising transaction costs and an increasingly uncertain tax landscape, the question wasn’t just what to build, but whether moving still made sense at all. They chose to stay.
The Strategy
Rather than a typical extension, the project was approached as a long-term adaptation of a character home making the home work harder over the next 10–15 years
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retain and restore the original cottage and addition
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introduce a contemporary addition that unlocks light, space and connection to landscape
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plan for flexibility over time, not just immediate needs
The Outcome
A modest footprint delivers a disproportionate shift in how the house performs:
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clear zoning between old and new
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improved thermal comfort and natural light
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a layout that supports evolving family life
Importantly, the project demonstrates an alternative to moving—one that avoids the friction of selling and buying, while strengthening the value of a primary residence.
Why This Matters Now
As construction costs remain high and undertaking a new build expensive more homeowners are rethinking either property turnover or demolish and start again.
Projects like this reflect a broader shift:
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from speculative upgrades
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toward long-term, considered investment in the home you already own
Thinking of Staying?
We work with homeowners to test whether adapting your existing home is a smarter move than selling—before design begins.
NORTH PERTH _ Vertical infill
Due for completion in April 2026
Located on a constrained site in North Perth, this project is a surgical addition to a traditional four-room cottage. By building upward directly above a 2014 ground-floor living area extension the design preserves precious outdoor space while significantly expanding the home’s functionality and limiting structural demolition work.
The project was driven by the need to "future-proof" the residence for a growing family and allows for strategic reuse of the original cottage floor plan and rooms to create dedicated zones for parents and daughter. The new upper level acts as a private retreat, featuring a master bedroom, ensuite, and a flexible yoga space.
Curtains are used to delineate the yoga space and bedroom. This "soft architecture" allows guests to enjoy the balcony and park views without compromising the privacy of the sleeping quarters. A strategically placed windows and openings draw the eye upward, frame the sky or the surrounding area and ensuring the compact footprint feels expansive and light-filled.
