Project Summary
An empty bitumen site, with a challenging sloping, limestone and located next to a multi storey social housing would have scared the average punter away, but the architect/ owner saw a perfect alignment of the pragmatic and
ideal for a family home.

Existing site conditions included:
• long narrow block on East – West axis with a good Northern aspect
• site level increase of 3.4m, from front to rear of site
• limestone bedrock throughout the site
• neighbouring multi storey social housing to North
• ocean views
• central location with easy pedestrian access to the city
• storm water reserve to neighbouring front lot

The block was acquired as a positive challenge to procure a house which capitalised on the strengths and minimised the impact of the negatives and acknowledging the greater social community.

Some site challenges addressed were:
• compliance with the overshadowing requirement on a narrow, sloping 10.7m frontage site
• maintaining acoustic and visual privacy from the multistorey social housing building to North while trying to maximise solar

opportunities of a Northern aspect site
• minimise potentially high costs associated with earthworks and retaining on site where all four boundaries

Created by Architects J-M Gobet and P. Hobbs, this magnificent home sits on a 1200 sqm corner site at the river’s edge and was designed to maximise the views.
Given the expanse of water in front, the owners wanted to replicate the feeling of being on a cruise ship when in the living areas and on the front balconies.
Accommodating a large extended family, the size of the home also required to be high in energy efficiency.
Spread over three levels, the basement opens to a sunken front courtyard, while the pool and spa sit on the first-floor balcony.
The pool features underwater windows into the games room and infinity edges that drop away over stone cladding, making it a feature of the front landscaping.
The positioning of the pool, the putting and chipping green in the courtyard and the use of timber and stainless-steel balustrade all tie in to create the cruise liner effect.
Inside, luxury abounds with under-floor heating in the kitchen, main living area and all bathrooms.
The overall style of the house is contemporary, displaying subdued but elegant architecture.
(WA’s Best Homes Design 2011/12- Scoop Publishing)

Copyright © 2018 Gobet-Hur Architects.