Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation
Western Australia
The McKenzie Street Residence by Klopper & Davis Architects is a sensitive transformation of a modest 1930s bungalow in Wembley, Perth. Set within a streetscape defined by Federation homes and post-war dwellings, the project retains the original character of the house to the street while concealing a contemporary family home to the rear. Rather than adding a conventional extension, the new wing is carefully carved into the existing pitched roof, ensuring the heritage context remains visually intact.
Designed for a young family, the refurbished front rooms accommodate children’s bedrooms and a secondary living area, while the rear addition introduces an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space connected to the garden and pool. A sculptural hit-and-miss brick screen filters harsh western light, enhances privacy and supports cross ventilation. The project demonstrates a climate-responsive, integrated approach to suburban renewal that balances heritage, contemporary living and long-term sustainability.
While this project may only have been in the works for the team at KADA over the past few years, it has been a decade in the making for us. Knowing we would soon outgrow the 1946 Californian Bungalow we loved, we sought a design that honoured its history while supporting the way we live as a family. KADA delivered a light-filled, open-plan home with a seamless connection between spaces, drawing the outside in. We especially love how the breezewall filters light differently throughout the day, making time spent in the living spaces feel calm, uplifting, and deeply enjoyable together.
Samuel Klopper, Design Architect
Matthew Davis, Design Architect
Fahmi Ahmad, Project Architect
Maude Pilote, Interior Designer
Marocchi Engineering Group, Structural Engineer
Yoxall, Landscape Consultant