Love to Entertain? A Party at This House Can Spill Into the Courtyard

Claremont Residence by Keen Architecture

Architect: Keen Architecture Photographs: Dion Photography article Size: 230 m2 Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia Tags: Urban Homes, New Homes

If you love to entertain, you'll appreciate Claremont Residence by Keen Architecture. Designed for a young couple, one a law student and the other owner of a small technology company, the couple are "entertainers, homebodies and enjoy pretending to keep fit so the Claremont location affords the amenity that suits [their] often hectic lifestyles."

Claremont Residence
Courtyards, Timber Floors, Folding Doors, Staircases, Dining Areas, Rugs, Lounge Suites, Armchairs, Coffee Tables

While they love to entertain, it's also common for the couple to travel, so they wanted a house that could lock down - a lock-and-leave - while they're away. A house for entertaining that can also be safe and secure? It almost sounds like a contradiction. But Keen Architects have managed to crete a house that effortlessly does both.

Claremont Residence
Courtyards, Timber Floors, Dining Areas, Rugs, Lounge Suites, Armchairs, Coffee Tables, Wall Art

Other than that, the brief was relatively simple, "make it low maintenance, make it stand out and please try not to spend all my money in the process. As a business owner time is a precious resource so low maintenance was a key priority during the design process."

Claremont Residence
Courtyards, Concrete Floors, White Kitchens, Folding Doors, Kitchens
Claremont Residence
Timber Houses, Courtyards, Concrete Floors, Timber Deck, Folding Doors, Kitchens

The father of the client's girlfriend (a real estate agent) discovered the property, a recently subdivided site in trendy inner-city Claremont. "[He] made me climb the roof of the existing home which revealed a breathtaking treetop view, uninterrupted through to the hills."

Claremont Residence
Courtyards, Concrete Floors, Staircases, Wall Art

At just 6.7 metres wide, the Claremont site is narrow by Perth standards, but Kris from Keen Architecture had expereince working with even narrower sites in Melbourne - challenge accepted.

Claremont Residence
Outdoor Areas, Courtyards, Timber Deck

Centred around a central courtyard, the living area and kitchen can both spill into the outdoor space via bifold doors. The courtyard serves a couple of uses - it brings North light and warmth into the narrow home, encourages ventilation and virtually doubles the living space when open. The two-storey void also creates a secure outdoor space.

Claremont Residence
Timber Houses
Claremont Residence
Timber Houses

"A feature timber screened balcony off the master suite punches though the steel portal frame again creating interest but also a lockable facade. The timber box has built in bi-folds which open to views of Claremont but can also be a private parents retreat."

Claremont Residence
Outdoor Areas, Roof Deck
Claremont Residence
Outdoor Areas, Roof Deck

Every entertainer's dream - a private roof deck - is even engineered to support a spa in the future. It takes advantage of the view of the city to the East and if you stand in the right spot you can catch a glimpse of Perth's beautiful Swan River.

Claremont Residence
Bedrooms
Claremont Residence
Outdoor Areas

"The house is inviting, and has plenty of space to entertain and escape be it a large gathering on the rooftop terrace, a quiet book on the front balcony, informal beers around the kitchen bench or long lunches in the internal courtyard shaded in summer by mature pear. Having only lived there a short amount of time, the house already feels like home."

Claremont Residence
Timber Houses

The house even includes a car stacker to fit a double car garage on the narrow site. The "magic piece of machinery" was an expensive but valuable addition to the home, ensuring it's resale value will be maximised.

Claremont Residence
House Plans
Claremont Residence
House Plans

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