Knutsford House

Double-height living space framed by exposed concrete structure and timber balustrade, opening to courtyard beyond.

LOCATION
Knutsford Street Fremantle
Whadjuk Noongar Country

STATUS
Completed May 2025

PHOTOGRAPHY
DMax Photography

Located within the State-listed Ord & Bateman Street Precinct in Fremantle, this house occupies a constrained 287sqm lot shaped by challenging topography – set two metres below one neighbour and two metres above another. The brief was for a downsizer: a master suite, two self-contained guest suites, a home office and generous open-plan living, arranged to support long-term adaptability and intergenerational use.

The street façade reinforces the established rhythm and scale of the heritage cottages without imitation. A contemporary verandah – carefully calibrated to the proportions, height and functional intent of its neighbours – maintains continuity within the streetscape, while a reduced front setback aligns with adjoining façades and allows for a well-proportioned north-facing courtyard to the rear.

Massing negotiates the level changes across the site, embedding the house comfortably within its context. Outdoor living is prioritised to the north, with deep eaves and upper-level overhangs moderating summer sun while admitting winter light. Durable, low-maintenance materials and high-performance passive design strategies underpin a home that is adaptable, resilient and distinctly grounded in its Fremantle setting.

Double-height living space framed by exposed concrete structure and timber balustrade, opening to courtyard beyond.
Street view of two-storey residence within existing streetscape, featuring upper-level balcony with vertical blade shading screen and stone boundary wall.
Open-plan living and dining framed by exposed concrete structure, opening to planted courtyard through full-height glazing.
Courtyard with curved steel planter and timber seating beneath a central tree, framed by layered planting and perforated masonry wall.
Concrete and timber living space with built-in hearth and direct connection to garden.
Kitchen with integrated timber cabinetry and island bench, opening to dining area with round timber table and polished concrete floor.
Kitchen and island in timber and stone, opening to courtyard garden through full-height glazing.
Kitchen with full-height openable glazing overlooking garden courtyard, timber cabinetry and dark stone benchtop beneath exposed concrete wall.
Stainless steel sink set within dark stone benchtop, framed by exposed concrete wall and openable glazing to garden.
Upward view within the atrium, showing the timber balustrade and full-height window with custom steel shade device.
Double-height living space framed by exposed concrete structure and timber balustrade, opening to courtyard beyond.
Concrete and timber stair with curved balustrade beneath clerestory light, linking levels above living space.
Stair and bridge overlooking double-height living space, lit by clerestory glazing above.
Upper-level circulation beneath celestory windows, with timber flooring and balustrading.
Detailed view of the tasmanian oak balustrading.
Stair void with timber balustrade overlooking a full-height window to the external courtyard, where a custom steel shade device filters light toward the concrete entry.
Daylight-filled bedroom with tasmanian oak wall-panelling
Custom steel-framed balustrade to the upper-level balcony; overlooking a mature tree in the street.
A view between the bedrooms through the central games room. Tasmanian osk trim and warm neutral finishings.
Bathroom with timber vanity, stone benchtop and twin basins, set against a concrete bath hob and high-level window.
Inset bath within concrete surround with wall-mounted tapware.
Bathroom with timber vanity and green stone benchtop, above-counter basin and wall-mounted tapware set against fluted wall tiles and round mirror.
Deep-set window with timber window seat beneath exposed concrete soffit, overlooking planted garden and stone boundary wall.
Planting within narrow garden strip between masonry façade and stone boundary wall below screened upper-level balcony.
Courtyard framed by concrete canopy and deep corner window reveal, with layered planting against a perforated masonry boundary wall.
Courtyard terrace beneath a concrete canopy, with open glazing to the living area and planting set against a masonry boundary wall.
Concrete cantilevered canopy with expressed edge detail beneath corrugated metal cladding, framed by adjacent mature tree.
Upper-level façade with corrugated customflow cladding, vertical blade shade screen and exposed stainless steel downpipes.
Evening view of the courtyard with curved timber seating, layered planting and perforated masonry screen wall with integrated lighting.
Vertical blade steel entry gate set within stone boundary wall, with integrated intercom and services panel.
Angled street elevation of two-storey residence with screened upper-level balcony, masonry façade and stone boundary wall.
PROJECT CREDITS
Slavin Architects
Burgio Construction
Cartwright Hydraulic Consultants
CJM Steel Fabrications
Garden Crush