Houzz Tour: A Sustainable Home with a Yoga Studio/Granny Flat
Step inside a flexible house designed to accommodate the evolving needs of the occupants' different ages and stages
Georgia Madden
30 April 2021
When it came to the design of this new build in the coastal suburb of Mosman Park in Perth, WA, the owners were thinking not just of their needs today, but how they would want to live in the future. Architect Simone Robeson of Robeson Architects was tasked with creating a design for a young family of family of four. The brief included flexible spaces that could adapt to their changing needs, plus provisions for the children’s grandmother down the track. “A key part of the brief was the inclusion of a ‘granny flat’, with its own ensuite and kitchenette, and a private entry. This space would be used as a yoga studio until which stage the grandmother should move in,” says Robeson.
Images by Dion Robeson
Styling by Anna Flanders
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family of four, and in the future the client’s grandmother will live here too
Location: Mosman Park, WA
Size: Approximately 269 square metres
Architecture: Simone Robeson, company director; Lauren Benson, graduate architect, both at Robeson Architects
Building: Create Homes
Engineer: WA Structural Consulting Engineers
Energy consultant: The Study
As well as providing for changing ages, the home needed to be sustainable too. “The client was genuinely passionate about sustainable design, which allowed us as architects to make sure these features were implemented at all levels of design,” she says.
Styling by Anna Flanders
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family of four, and in the future the client’s grandmother will live here too
Location: Mosman Park, WA
Size: Approximately 269 square metres
Architecture: Simone Robeson, company director; Lauren Benson, graduate architect, both at Robeson Architects
Building: Create Homes
Engineer: WA Structural Consulting Engineers
Energy consultant: The Study
As well as providing for changing ages, the home needed to be sustainable too. “The client was genuinely passionate about sustainable design, which allowed us as architects to make sure these features were implemented at all levels of design,” she says.
A wheelchair-accessible ramp leads to the home’s entrance
The result is an adaptable home with five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms (including those in the granny flat), with a relaxed and open feel that will cater to the family’s lifestyle for years to come. The client was so delighted with their new home that they left a great review for Robeson on Houzz – you can read it here.
Ready to renovate or extend? Find a local architect on Houzz and start the conversation
The result is an adaptable home with five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms (including those in the granny flat), with a relaxed and open feel that will cater to the family’s lifestyle for years to come. The client was so delighted with their new home that they left a great review for Robeson on Houzz – you can read it here.
Ready to renovate or extend? Find a local architect on Houzz and start the conversation
The floor plan
The client wanted a flexible and sustainable home that would suit their young family both now and in the future, including a private living space and provisions for the children’s grandmother when she moves in at some point in the future.
All areas of the home needed to be wheelchair accessible and comply with the gold standard of the ‘Liveable Housing Design Guidelines’, which calls for wider hallways, doorways and circulation spaces.
This also meant the design needed to address a slope in the site through ramps and graded paths to enable a person to transverse from the front boundary to the rear boundary without going up or down a step.
The client wanted a flexible and sustainable home that would suit their young family both now and in the future, including a private living space and provisions for the children’s grandmother when she moves in at some point in the future.
All areas of the home needed to be wheelchair accessible and comply with the gold standard of the ‘Liveable Housing Design Guidelines’, which calls for wider hallways, doorways and circulation spaces.
This also meant the design needed to address a slope in the site through ramps and graded paths to enable a person to transverse from the front boundary to the rear boundary without going up or down a step.
The client’s brief to the architect included the following:
- The whole ground floor had to be accessible with a wheelchair.
- Inclusion of a granny flat with a flexible use (it is currently used as a yoga studio).
- Sustainable materials.
- Maximise garden space.
They wanted their home to be simple, functional and contemporary in feel. They sought to maximise outdoor spaces and keep the internal footprint to a minimum, with the architect using elements such as large doors and windows to create a sense of openness and connection.
Wide hallways, larger-than-average doors and level transitions throughout the house – plus a wider-than-average shower with no steps and a large circulation area around the toilet in the granny flat – are key features that make the home accessible.
The client is passionate about sustainable design, so a significant portion of the building budget went towards implementing sustainable measures and design through all levels of the build – not just the visible materials but the carcasses and wall studs too. “It’s easy to forget construction materials that are hidden from view, but when an owner is serious about sustainability and is prepared to invest in them, it results in a greater sustainable outcome,” says Robeson.
The home features concrete floors downstairs and recycled spotted-gum floorboards in the master bedroom upstairs
Robeson opted for an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area that maximises the sense of space within the home’s relatively compact footprint.
The living area was pushed to the southern boundary to allow it to open up onto the gardens.
Browse more images of gorgeous Australian kitchens on Houzz
Robeson opted for an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area that maximises the sense of space within the home’s relatively compact footprint.
The living area was pushed to the southern boundary to allow it to open up onto the gardens.
Browse more images of gorgeous Australian kitchens on Houzz
“With the lot running east to west, the main design challenge was to ensure that ample northern light could access the main living areas,” says Robeson. “We decided not to align the bulk of the house toward the street, leaving a large backyard, but rather create smaller outdoor zones with their own distinct uses that are interspersed between the building footprint.”
The living ‘wing’ of the house runs east-west and is pushed to one end of the floor plan, opening onto a rectangular, northern courtyard. To the east of this is a covered deck, which receives the eastern morning sun.
This deck overlooks the largest garden, with veggies and fruit trees surrounding a grassed play area for the children.
Perth is known for its hot, dry summers, so smart temperature control was a priority – particularly as the client dispensed with air conditioning.
The entry courtyard features a pond that draws cooling breezes into the interior in the afternoon. Louvres located adjacent to the pond at a low level allow the cool air to enter the home, while louvres positioned at the top of the ceiling in the living wing at the other end of the home expel the hot air.
This deck overlooks the largest garden, with veggies and fruit trees surrounding a grassed play area for the children.
Perth is known for its hot, dry summers, so smart temperature control was a priority – particularly as the client dispensed with air conditioning.
The entry courtyard features a pond that draws cooling breezes into the interior in the afternoon. Louvres located adjacent to the pond at a low level allow the cool air to enter the home, while louvres positioned at the top of the ceiling in the living wing at the other end of the home expel the hot air.
As the family spends much of their time indoors in the open-plan kitchen/living/dining area, this was an important focus for climate control. “The northern-facing eaves were sized to provide 60-degree shading. This means that the sun from October to March doesn’t hit the glazing below. These north-facing windows were also double-glazed to help moderate the internal temperature,” says Robeson.
“Low-level louvres were placed on the southern walls while high-level louvres were placed on the northern walls to promote the south-westerlies to cool down the home. Large ceiling fans promote cross-flow ventilation,” she says.
“Low-level louvres were placed on the southern walls while high-level louvres were placed on the northern walls to promote the south-westerlies to cool down the home. Large ceiling fans promote cross-flow ventilation,” she says.
Ceiling Fan: Big Ass Fans; Sofa:
Kartique
The southern and western walls of the home were constructed with grey concrete utility bricks that contribute to the home’s thermal mass. Specifying masonry with no applied finish adds to the property’s robust, low-key aesthetic.
Kartique
The southern and western walls of the home were constructed with grey concrete utility bricks that contribute to the home’s thermal mass. Specifying masonry with no applied finish adds to the property’s robust, low-key aesthetic.
Eco-friendly timbers feature prominently throughout the design, adding warmth and texture. The living ceilings are lined with recycled plywood, while the external walls are clad in recycled spotted gum that will grey off over time.
FSC Certified Charcoal plywood cabinetry: D&R Henderson; penant: Alti Lighting; honed kabuki stone benchtop: Bernini Stone & Tile
“The client really likes dark and moody cabinetry, so we chose charcoal for the kitchen, which works well here as it doesn’t detract from the feature plywood ceiling,” says Robeson.
“The client really likes dark and moody cabinetry, so we chose charcoal for the kitchen, which works well here as it doesn’t detract from the feature plywood ceiling,” says Robeson.
Hexagonal splashback tiles: Myaree Ceramics
Cosy, built-in seating nooks both inside and out mean there are a couple of spots to enjoy a morning coffee or curl up with a book.
“The clients have very demanding jobs so this home is a retreat for them to relax and unwind,” says Robeson. “The timber-clad reading nook wedged into the eastern deck wall is a favourite. This spot receives morning sun and afternoon shade – exactly what is required for reading or napping.
“It is these little details that give personality to a home,” she says.
“The clients have very demanding jobs so this home is a retreat for them to relax and unwind,” says Robeson. “The timber-clad reading nook wedged into the eastern deck wall is a favourite. This spot receives morning sun and afternoon shade – exactly what is required for reading or napping.
“It is these little details that give personality to a home,” she says.
“The facade was designed to have minimal openings facing west. It’s Perth – no-one needs too much western-facing glass,” says Robeson.
To combat the hot afternoon sun, the window in the masonry wall was set into a deep reveal, forming a window seat, which is shaded by a liquidambar tree. In the study, the window has timber battens that shade the glazing.
Nova Arq Sea Green tiles: Myaree Ceramics
Green tiles add a pop of colour and fun to the main bathroom, which is used by the children. Adding a step to the bath makes it easy for the kids to get in and out, and for the parents to help with bath time.
Green tiles add a pop of colour and fun to the main bathroom, which is used by the children. Adding a step to the bath makes it easy for the kids to get in and out, and for the parents to help with bath time.
One of the children’s bedrooms
Bright bed linen in a medley of different prints adds a playful energy to the children’s bedroom.
Bright bed linen in a medley of different prints adds a playful energy to the children’s bedroom.
The master suite upstairs
The bedrooms were located to the north of the house to provide restful spaces away from the more stimulating living and dining areas.
The upper level houses the master bedroom, ensuite and a study.
The bedrooms were located to the north of the house to provide restful spaces away from the more stimulating living and dining areas.
The upper level houses the master bedroom, ensuite and a study.
The ensuite
Your turn
Are you as impressed as we are with the attention to detail in this forward-thinking house? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another beautiful home? Don’t miss this Natural Beauty: A Characterful Extension to a Classic Home
Your turn
Are you as impressed as we are with the attention to detail in this forward-thinking house? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another beautiful home? Don’t miss this Natural Beauty: A Characterful Extension to a Classic Home
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A really beautiful home with a very interesting and intriguing exterior. Love it 👍🏼x
Love sustainability of the home…
You touched every detail. beautifully done.