Warton Residence: A Grand Revival of a 1960s Beach House
Experience the magnificent transformation of the Warton Residence, a three-story house in Perth, Australia. Carefully curated by Cast Studio in 2022, this contemporary house retains the charm of its 1960s roots.
Set in the serene vicinity of South Cottesloe beach, the home, once a beige brick ‘renovator’s delight’, has been reinvented into a coastal gem, thoughtfully blending privacy and the luxury of natural light.
About Warton House
The Vision: Resurrecting a Mid-Century Masterpiece
Upon buying an enchanting 1960’s brick house nestled on a hill near South Cottesloe beach, our clients harbored a desire for renovation rather than demolition. This approach proved not only cost-effective but also sustainable, retaining the existing floors and structural walls.
The Challenge: Crafting a Modern Coastal Home
Our mission revolved around breathing new life into this charming house, molding a three-storey modern coastal house from the skeletal frame of a weary, beige brick ‘renovator’s delight’.
The Design: Unraveling Spatial Elegance
As we peeled back the layers, the house’s intrinsic split-level planning emerged. We preserved a side entry sequence that led visitors nearly to the heart of the house. Subsequently, a central hallway opened up to a medley of rooms, meticulously positioned on a series of levels.
The Journey: Guided by Natural Light
Beginning at the sheltered entry, an array of large skylights wove through the home. They illuminated the path towards a spacious covered external area linked to the kitchen and family rooms. Here, the staggered spatial sequence climaxed, unfolding from the street to the rear garden, and bathed in overhead light while engaging with the garden.
The Structure: A Symphony of Zones
The zoning of the house, masterfully created in section, comprised a sunken garage above a slightly raised living and dining space, a main family area, and an additional floor hosting the children’s bedrooms and bathrooms.
The Layout: Embracing Light and Air
Situated on a long, narrow north-south lot, the house now extends towards petite gardens along its length and to the rear. This layout allows maximum natural light and ventilation to permeate previously dark, inward-facing areas.
The Roof: A Floating Canopy
Where once sat a tiled roof, now shifting roof planes hover above the house. A matte gray cladding enwraps the home and landscape, contrasting with the bagged brick walls and granite paving.
The Interior: A Tribute to Mid-Century Design
To echo our clients’ passion for mid-century modern architecture, we adopted an interior palette distinguished by soft white walls, spotted gum timber floors, ceilings, and cabinetry.
The Exterior: A Balance of Privacy and Light
Despite the slowly evolving street towards medium-density infill developments, we ensured privacy through sliding timber screens. They serve a dual purpose, also moderating the northern sunlight.
Photography by Robert Frith
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- by Matt Watts
