Houzz Tour: A Bright and Breezy Home Lets the Sun Shine in
A family home in Perth, WA, has a two-storey U-shaped design to take advantage of natural light, views and ventilation
Rebecca Gross
2 January 2020
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Sarah and Sam Ruocco and their young and growing family wanted a home that suited their current and future needs as their daughter, Mya, grows up. The couple engaged Dalecki Design to create a house that offered a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living and provided bright and breezy spaces. Janik Dalecki designed a two-storey U-shaped plan that wraps around a central outdoor area to take advantage of natural light, views and ventilation.
Images by Dion Robeson
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sam and Sarah Ruocco and their daughter, Mya
Location: Morley, WA
Size: 343 square metres with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room
Building designer: Dalecki Design
Builder: Limitless Building
Sam is a director of Limitless Building. “Being the client and the builder we worked together closely to achieve this project,” says Dalecki.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sam and Sarah Ruocco and their daughter, Mya
Location: Morley, WA
Size: 343 square metres with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room
Building designer: Dalecki Design
Builder: Limitless Building
Sam is a director of Limitless Building. “Being the client and the builder we worked together closely to achieve this project,” says Dalecki.
The U-shaped design takes advantage of the northern sun. The backyard faces west, so opening the southern side of the house to the courtyard and garden lets light into the living spaces downstairs. The master suite is at the front of the house where it receives the morning sun.
Ground-floor plan
The spacious yet compact and well-connected layout makes it easy to move around the house and allows for outdoor views from all rooms.
“Upon entry, you are greeted with views of the central courtyard, providing an immediate sense of connection to the exterior, which was an important part of the brief,” says Dalecki.
Ready to reimagine your home’s layout? Find a building designer near you on Houzz for a fresh new design
The spacious yet compact and well-connected layout makes it easy to move around the house and allows for outdoor views from all rooms.
“Upon entry, you are greeted with views of the central courtyard, providing an immediate sense of connection to the exterior, which was an important part of the brief,” says Dalecki.
Ready to reimagine your home’s layout? Find a building designer near you on Houzz for a fresh new design
First-floor plan
Upstairs, three bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room cater to the growing family, including Mya, her friends and overnight guests.
Upstairs, three bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room cater to the growing family, including Mya, her friends and overnight guests.
The client had a preference for raw materials such as brick, concrete, steel and timber. This mixed materials palette is used to add texture, colour and character to the house, creating cohesion inside and out.
“Due to the raw and unfinished properties of the materials, they will age and show a beautiful patina over the years to come,” says Dalecki.
Timber cladding: Weathertex; Zinc Elements bricks: Austral Bricks
“Due to the raw and unfinished properties of the materials, they will age and show a beautiful patina over the years to come,” says Dalecki.
Timber cladding: Weathertex; Zinc Elements bricks: Austral Bricks
Inside the front door, the entrance is dappled with light-and-shadow effects as sunlight filters through breeze blocks to the exposed-brick wall.
The two-and-a-half-storey void at the entrance with north-facing clerestory windows floods the central passage of the home with natural light. “We wanted this area to be light and bright and truly inviting,” says Dalecki.
The entry passage leads to the kitchen, dining and living area where upholstered furnishings provide pops of colour against the raw and textured materials palette.
The kitchen is designed for functionality, with a large island facing the dining and living area and with a view to the garden and pool outside.
Black cabinetry and handles allow the kitchen to recede, like a backdrop to the open-plan living space, while the mirrored splashback provides a reflection and bounces light throughout the cooking space.
Muuto Visu Bar Stool: Living Edge
Muuto Visu Bar Stool: Living Edge
An appliance zone, together with a butler’s pantry or scullery, is tucked out of sight at the end of the kitchen.
The dining and living area are light and bright with openings on both sides of the room to capture summer breezes. Stacking glass doors to the north open the room to the central courtyard.
A koi pond on the southern side of the living area assists in cooling summer breezes before they enter the house.
Sahar Tessuto rug: Temple Fine Rugs
Sahar Tessuto rug: Temple Fine Rugs
Dark bricks at the end of the living area balance the dark joinery in the kitchen. Concrete floors and walls provide lighter-coloured surfaces in between and their thermal mass help keep the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Rolf Benz sofa, leather ottoman, Gubi floor light and coffee table: Ultimo Interiors; Vitra cork stool and Herman Miller Crosshatch chair: Living Edge; throw and Tom Dixon Offcut side table: Editeur
The client wanted the house to be environmentally functional and sustainable. The northern orientation allows the winter sun to filter into the home and warm the thermal mass of the concrete-slab floor, while shading over the north-facing openings block summer sun.
Windows and glass doors have low-E glazing and there is a solar photovoltaic unit, an in-ground rainwater collection tank and a low-energy heat pump hot-water system.
Windows and glass doors have low-E glazing and there is a solar photovoltaic unit, an in-ground rainwater collection tank and a low-energy heat pump hot-water system.
The central outdoor area with alfresco dining and a plunge pool can be viewed from all zones of the house, reinforcing the sense of indoor and outdoor connection.
An outdoor kitchen has a barbecue and sink, while an alfresco ceiling fan keeps the dining and cooking area cool and ventilated.
Vitra outdoor setting: Living Edge; Pavo chair by Patricia Urquiola and Treble AC lounge: Ultimo Interiors
Vitra outdoor setting: Living Edge; Pavo chair by Patricia Urquiola and Treble AC lounge: Ultimo Interiors
A plunge pool was a must for the client, as was a dragon tree in the landscaping.
At the front of the house the master bedroom is a private, luxurious retreat. “It’s separated from the living zones and bedrooms upstairs, but still in close proximity so you are not walking large distances,” says Dalecki.
The ensuite bathroom is designed for function and luxury, with timber joinery acting as an accent against the raw materials palette.
Heading upstairs…
…The outdoor area can be viewed from above, as can the roof garden over the outdoor dining area and kitchen.
“Given the footprint of the house takes up a large percentage of the block, rooftop gardens have been utilised to provide additional landscaping,” says Dalecki. “Wherever the owners may be within the home, they will have clear views of either the courtyard or rooftop gardens. The view to landscaped zones gives the sense of being in connection with the external environment, especially on the upper floor where you can sometimes feel perched up away and out of touch with the environment in other homes.”
“Given the footprint of the house takes up a large percentage of the block, rooftop gardens have been utilised to provide additional landscaping,” says Dalecki. “Wherever the owners may be within the home, they will have clear views of either the courtyard or rooftop gardens. The view to landscaped zones gives the sense of being in connection with the external environment, especially on the upper floor where you can sometimes feel perched up away and out of touch with the environment in other homes.”
The upstairs bedrooms are functional spaces, designed for the family to put their own personal stamp on each room.
The bathroom is likewise functional, with a bath for kids and lots of durable, low-maintenance surfaces that speak to the raw materiality of the home.
Your turn
Which features in this home do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Keen for another dose of great Australian design? Check out this Houzz Tour: Making Family Memories at a Holiday House Getaway
Your turn
Which features in this home do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Keen for another dose of great Australian design? Check out this Houzz Tour: Making Family Memories at a Holiday House Getaway
Related Stories
Houzz Around The World
France Houzz: A New Island Home With an Old Soul
Check out this young family's welcoming and characterful French island home on Île d’Yeu, which embraces local style
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Germany Houzz: A Small Cabin Transformed Into a Forest Retreat
In this secluded area in the Taunus mountains of Germany, a family enjoys their weekends in 29 square metres of space
Full Story
Architecture
Sydney Houzz: Bob Hawke's Iconic Northbridge Home Made Modern
The old home of Australia's longest-serving Labor prime minister and his wife Blanche d'Alpuget has had a new makeover
Full Story
Houzz TV
London Houzz: Tour a Contemporary Loft in an Old Victorian School
Watch and read how a design firm updated this light and airy apartment in an old block with sleek style and warm touches
Full Story
Interior Design
Before & After: A Dream Family Home on Sydney's Waterfront
The owners of this grand six-level home wanted to give it a casual, coastal feel to suit its spectacular setting
Full Story
Architecture
Rural Houzz: A Modern Mountain Retreat Set Among the Gums
Explore a cleverly designed country home that sits quietly within the landscape, while providing views from every room
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Berlin Houzz: A Touch of Japanese Forest Bathing in a German Home
Beloved memories of Japan come to life with the renovation of this 120-square-metre apartment in Berlin, Germany
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
London Houzz: Daring Colour & Texture Transform a Victorian Home
By Kate Burt
The busy owners of this terrace sought help to design outside their decor comfort zone – the result is a cool classic
Full Story
Colourful Homes
Queensland Houzz: A Cute Cottage Awash With Colour and Pattern
Bold colour, quirky prints and an abundance of art transformed this 1920s cottage into an inviting and relaxing gem
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Germany Houzz: Creating Summer & Winter Homes in a Converted Barn
One barn, two homes – see how architects designed separate zones for summer and winter living in an old country barn
Full Story
Love the Raw materials throughout the house the use of alot of 60s influence through out the home,and the reflection of light throughout.You have created a warm feeling with your interior design.
Very nice, similar materials to what I am planning to build so nice to see. Who did they use to do the rooftop garden, I am planning on doing one for my alfresco, I’m in Perth.
Love the functionality of the house and the finishes! I would like to build but unsure of a ball park figure of where to start with reasonable expectations of cost? Suggestions?