A Midcentury Relic in Perth Gets a Gut Renovation—and the Results Are Stunning

City Beach features one of Perth’s most iconic beaches— think rolling surf, white sand, and a promenade lined with cafes and seafood restaurants  overlooking the ocean. But since being developed as a suburb in the 1960s, much of the town’s modernist character has gone to the wayside. After a young couple with a passion for food, art, and relaxed coastal living bought a dilapidated midcentury home in the area, they laid plans for a redesign that would honor the city’s history.

"This house is an act of preservation of that moment in time and our clients should be applauded for their decision to retain this modest dwelling," says Jen Lowe, director of Ohlo Studio, which was responsible for the interiors during the renovation.

Ohlo collaborated with Simon Pendal Architect and Steven Postmus of CAPA, a landscape design studio, to execute a shared vision. "[The idea] was to play to the strengths of the existing architectural design language and to integrate a material palette and sense of space that riffs on the expansive, sun-bleached, Western Australian landscape," says Lowe.

The entire property was stripped back to walls and floors and reimagined as a space that celebrates and encourages connections between family and friends. In doing so, the cramped four-bedroom, one-bathroom home was converted into a three-bed, two-bath that can evolve as the family grows.

In one wing of the home are the private areas—the bedrooms and bathrooms—and in the other is an open-plan living area. The two distinct zones are separated by two wide, angular steps that lead to a double door. 

To echo the surrounding landscape, the design team inserted a sand-colored concrete pathway that meanders through the entire home, from the front letterbox to the rotunda in the rear garden.

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The kitchen sits at the heart of the home and also embraces the idea of connection. Essentially, it has been imagined as a single furniture piece that creates distinct zones while maintaining visual openness. From the central island, the residents are able to interact with guests in the lounge and outdoor kitchen, as well as with children in the family room. "The kitchen is the client’s favorite room, both for its operational ease and connection," says Lowe.

The home’s connection to place is further enhanced through a collection of Western Australian artwork, which was curated by Ohlo Studio. The sculptural built-in plinths and ledges throughout the living spaces allow the clients’ to display a growing collection of art, organically filling the home and adding a rich layer of texture.

The interior material palette is intentionally simple—think natural timber, concrete floors, white walls, and bespoke render finishes—offering a crisp backdrop to the artwork. Each element of the interior has been carefully considered to encourage well-being and offer space for reflection.

Even the bathrooms, both of which face south, are tranquil, meditative spaces. Both boast views to the garden, and include skylights that allow for a poetic play of light and shadow. The bedrooms are also a study in sinuous lines and bespoke details. The primary bedroom, for example, features sculptural timber joinery that wraps around the wall.

The gardens further enhance the home’s connection to the coastal setting. Endemic flora has been reinstated, reducing the need for excessive watering and encouraging prolific pollination and rapid growth. A rotunda in the rear garden, alongside an outdoor shower, encourages a coastal lifestyle and—like the rest of the home—celebrates the uniqueness and beauty of the setting.

More coastal homes in Australia:

This Beach House in Australia Is Nothing Like Its Neighbors—or Any Beach House You’ve Seen

A Circular Beach House in Australia Embraces Coastal Living

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Simon Pendal Architect

Builder: Rossbrook Construction

Landscape Architect: Steven Postmus of CAPA

Interior Design: Ohlo Studio

Cabinetry Design: Ohlo Studio

Cabinetry Installation: Centurion Cabinets

Photography: Jack Lovel