Sustainability was clearly front and centre when a Perth family briefed Robeson Architects on their ideal home. But it is one thing for a home to look the part, and another for it to be sustainable right down to its bones. All the timber in this home – not just the striking facade – is FSC certified, including the parts that will never be seen.

Sustainable from the ground up

It would have been easy to ignore what was out of sight, but these owners were serious about doing it properly. They invested in sustainable timber, extra insulation, water tanks and a greywater system.

Environmentally friendly concrete was used for the ground floor and, unusually for a modern Perth home, there is no air conditioning.

Cooled by the breeze

Instead, Robeson Architects carefully planned the placement of louvres and windows to capture the south-westerly breezes and cool the home naturally.

The home uses reverse brick veneer construction, which the architects say is much better suited to Perth’s climate. Together with ceiling fans, it keeps the interiors comfortable even when the temperature soars.

Designed for every stage of life

The external cladding and timber flooring are recycled spotted gum, sustainably sourced and beautiful. The owners also wanted the interiors to meet liveable housing design guidelines, which means wide hallways, wider doors and no awkward, hard-to-reach spaces.

That added a challenge on a sloping site. Ramps and graded paths were designed so someone can move from the front boundary to the rear without a single step.

The aim was to cater for extended family in future. Rather than moving or rebuilding when their needs change, the family is ready to welcome a grandparent down the track. The home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a home office, a spacious living area and a beautifully appointed granny flat.

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