A Calming Central Courtyard Lets in Fresh Air and Sunlight at a Renovated Aussie Cottage

This 3,229-square-foot renovated cottage in the suburbs of Perth, Australia, is designed for living, of course. But the home—known as the East Fremantle House—is also built for its residents to grow in. 

The homeowners and their two young children (a four-year-old and a newborn) currently live in the cozy front area of the structure. But as the kids get older—or if their grandparents should move in—there is a separate principal suite in the back of the dwelling that is ready and waiting. 

"The owners wanted to create a home that they could be in for a long time," says architect Nic Brunsdon. "The house is designed for whatever is going on in their family rhythm."

Brunsdon renovated the original heritage cottage—which is a classic Aussie architectural typology—in 2020. For the contemporary upgrade, the architect added a rear extension to the structure that playfully mixes white stucco and warm timber. 

Throughout the home, vertical tiles are a call-and-response to the traditional horizontal bricks that line the dwelling’s facade. A dark brick entryway on the ground level separates the private and public spaces within the residence. 

"This area serves as the connective tissue of the house," says the architect. "It’s like a palette cleanser." 

The central brick hallway leads to a bright and airy common space, which Brunsdon refers to as "the garden room" in the home. Here, a giant sliding door connects the indoor living areas with a sunny green courtyard. This layout allows soft breezes to pass directly through the gathering spaces in the house.

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For Brunsdon, the most important aspect of the house is "the space that isn’t built," says the architect. In other words, the home is defined by its organic, open areas that are left for light and air to inhabit.

While the main floor is constructed with brick masonry, the second floor is crafted from light-framed natural timber. On the upper level of the East Fremantle House, color infuses every room. "The idea was to be playful in these spaces," says Brunsdon. "We’re asking: Why not?"

Related Reading:

This Cozy Aussie Cottage Is a Treasure Trove of Pottery and Vintage Finds

A Sensational Green Roof Fuses This Home With the Australian Coast

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Nic Brunsdon, Nic Brunsdon Company  / @nicbrunsdon
Builder/General Contractor: James Anderson, Talo Construction  / @talo_construction
Landscape Design Company: Joel Barker, Seed Design Studio  / @seeddesignstudio