Whadjuk Peoples of the Nyoongar Nation
Western Australia
The Cottesloe House is a new coastal suburban dwelling in Cottesloe Beach, Perth.
Its generous site is situated between a neighbourhood street and a rear sandy laneway, and set in the company of mostly historic bungalows with gardens. The principal urban move establishes a grand arcade connecting both street and lane, resulting in an unexpected porosity both through the site. As a thought experiment, we imagine this generous civic gesture replicated up and down the street, generating a walkable, coastal urbanism of interconnected lanes, private gardens and arcades.
There is a focus on room-making, gardens and suburban civility – an alignment of both our practice interests and the influence of our clients’ English sensibilities.  Two bay windows offer a glimpse into an ordinary yet beautiful domestic life from the street – one, an intimate window seat of a good room (an English snug of sorts), the other, a window to the garden.
Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Cottesloe House demonstrates an exceptional commitment to detail, where every element has been rigorously considered and resolved. A clear spatial order underpins the design, expressed through a carefully orchestrated rhythm of rooms, thresholds, and moments of pause. Movement through the house is guided by a subtle hierarchy, allowing for both engagement and retreat, while curated views and a masterful play of light and shadow enrich the daily experience of occupation.
Connection is not achieved through openness alone, but through the deliberate framing of interactions between spaces. This approach fosters a sense of domestic reverence, where everyday routines are elevated into moments of quiet ceremony. The architecture draws meaningfully from local historical typologies, grounding the home in its context while reinterpreting these influences with precision and care.
Materiality and construction are celebrated throughout. From the considered brick coursing to the articulation of junctions, the project reflects a deep knowledge of assembly and craftsmanship. The resulting finesse speaks not only to the skill of the trades, but to the clarity of design intent and collaboration.
Ultimately, this is a home that pairs discipline with generosity—an environment that supports a more thoughtful, seamless, and rewarding way of living.
Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Cottesloe House demonstrates an exceptional commitment to detail, where every element has been rigorously considered and resolved. A clear spatial order underpins the design, expressed through a carefully orchestrated rhythm of rooms, thresholds, and moments of pause. Movement through the house is guided by a subtle hierarchy, allowing for both engagement and retreat, while curated views and a masterful play of light and shadow enrich the daily experience of occupation.
Connection is not achieved through openness alone, but through the deliberate framing of interactions between spaces. This approach fosters a sense of domestic reverence, where everyday routines are elevated into moments of quiet ceremony. The architecture draws meaningfully from local historical typologies, grounding the home in its context while reinterpreting these influences with precision and care.
Materiality and construction are celebrated throughout. From the considered brick coursing to the articulation of junctions, the project reflects a deep knowledge of assembly and craftsmanship. The resulting finesse speaks not only to the skill of the trades, but to the clarity of design intent and collaboration.
Ultimately, this is a home that pairs discipline with generosity—an environment that supports a more thoughtful, seamless, and rewarding way of living.
It's hard to be subjective about something you imagined and then created for your own enjoyment; like cooking an extravagant meal and eating it yourself. You know the effort that went into it. Some passers-by on foot don’t look up, which is equally as pleasing as when others stop to take notice, maybe to ask if it is a new house. Just to check – they’re not always sure. This is taken as an endorsement; that the building belongs. Other visitors however say the place seems already familiar to them… but then can’t express why. This is the highest praise.
Stuart Vokes, Design Architect
Sam Carter, Graduate of Architecture
Aaron Peters, Design Team
Emma Denman, Design Team
Nicholas Russell, Design Team
Alfalfa Landscape, Garden Designer
Classy Joints, Cabinetmaker
Red Rock Brickworks, Bricklayer
Fini Sustainability, Energy Consultant
Marocchi Engineering Group, Structural Engineer