Prepare to be amazed by the unique story of Henville Street House, a family home in Perth, Australia, that draws its inspiration from an unexpected source: the Fremantle cargo port! Designed by the talented team at Philip Stejskal Architecture, this residence is a true masterpiece, blending industrial aesthetics with a warm and inviting atmosphere. But here's where it gets controversial... the exterior, with its corrugated metal cladding and steel-framed awnings, is a bold statement that some might find unconventional for a family home.
Located on a compact urban site, the architects faced the challenge of creating a private yet garden-oriented space. Their solution? A clever design centered around a patio, with a skeletal steel frame that will eventually be covered by climbing plants, creating a living, breathing facade.
"It's a simple yet budget-conscious project," says studio founder Philip Stejskal. "We wanted to pay homage to the original workers' cottages of the area, so we used corrugated iron, a material that is both durable and low-maintenance."
The home's layout is carefully planned, with a one-meter level change that creates a stepped effect, leading from the sunken living, dining, and kitchen areas up into the garden. A large sill serves as a cozy seating area, inviting residents to enjoy the outdoors.
As you step through the sliding glass doors, you enter what Stejskal calls an "outdoor room" - a patio sheltered by a double-height steel frame. The upper section of this frame is clad in metal grilles, which will be overgrown by plants over time, creating a unique and natural privacy screen.
This steel frame also supports a retractable awning, providing shade for the first-floor bedrooms and a terrace. It wraps around to the front of the home, forming a small awning above the entrance and garage, offering a warm welcome to visitors.
"The outdoor room is a special space," explains Stejskal. "It's surrounded by a vertical trellis that will green over time, and covered by a retractable fabric awning, providing a flexible and comfortable outdoor living area."
Inside, the industrial-style metalwork of the exterior is balanced by soft, pale curtains and the warmth of dark Australian hardwoods used for storage and wall linings. The internal facades, facing the garden, are clad in narrow vertical battens, adding a touch of elegance.
This project is just one example of the innovative residential architecture and interiors being created in Australia. Other notable designs include Studio Bright's blockwork home in Melbourne, which is wrapped in metal mesh screens that will eventually form a leafy arbour, and Nick Kent Design's Bondi House, a steel-framed "kit of parts."
So, what do you think of this unique take on residential design? Is it a bold and inspiring vision or a step too far? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
