Tract housing defines the mood and agenda of middle Australia, but another response is occurring in the heart of many established suburbs. A juxtaposition of styles might antagonise conservative thinkers, but architecture is also breathing new life into tired, look-alike streets. At beach-side Cottesloe in Perth, the Caithness Residence creates a distinctive snap, crackle and pop. Rather than buying up a presence through incredible bulk, this project has an exemplary sculptural elegance without any trace of Tuscany, or vision splendid. The result is most remarkable.

The blurring of the wall/ceiling relationship is one of the project's most satisfying achievements. The result produces an ambiguous spatial zone, much like the infinity of a photographer's cyclorama. Through this dynamic 'rear', there is an emphasis on the upper floor view along the main north (side) elevation and west to the ocean. The street runs parallel to the beach and is populated by homes of mixed eras - Edwardian, Californian Bungalow, post-War brick veneer and most of them are surprisingly modest considering skyrocketing property values.

Despite Cottesloe's rapid ascent as one of Perth's preeminent beach suburbs, the clients requested an architecture to satisfy their desire to live a simplified beach lifestyle. Designed in three stages with potential for separation into three apartments, the clients occupy the front of house over two levels, while the middle and rear of the property have separate access and can function quite independently should the decision be made to sub-lease the property.

The sweeping embrace of COLORBOND® steel creates a distinctive shell with minimal interference of structure or mass. Sited on an east/west axis the house uses overhangs to minimise direct sun penetration. The unforced exteriors is mirrored internally with a series of vaulted linear volumes on the top floor.

The main spaces of the house are contained in an astonishing two storey high cantilevered volume made possible only by the daring use of steel.

Key Information

Number of storeys	2
New-build home

Location of steel solutions

Ceiling
Columns
Doors
External wall
Facade
Floor
Internal wall
Light steel sections
Roof
Water systems
Window

Types of steel used in the building

Long carbon steel
Metallic coated flat carbon steel
Organic coated flat carbon steel

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