The Suburban Cloister – Subiaco House by Vokes and Peters Architects

Subiaco, WA, Australia

Adding to the rich and established character of its garden suburb, Subiaco House sees a contemporary take on the cottage vernacular. Vokes and Peters Architects sensitively respond to site, while providing a unique engagement with the streetscape.

Occupying a prominent corner within garden-rich Subiaco in Western Australia, the like-named home takes form as a contemporary cottage structure, referencing the well-established and manicured heritage and of its neighbours. In a unique gesture, however, though, Vokes and Peters has opened the home and its front courtyard space to have a direct engagement with the public streetscape. The architects’ intent is to discreetly establish a character that references the formal courtyards of Europe, acting as an interface between the private residential sphere and the ever-reduced realm of public garden spaces.

With clients keen to build a family home, and with planning provisions in favour of a one-storey residential typology, the team worked to propose a form that fulfilled the many aspects of the brief. The resulting home is one that references a previous era, sits comfortably among its neighbours and provides a two-story dwelling for its custodians. The lower level engages directly with the street and the generous courtyard space. The upper level is almost disguised within the roof form, referencing an internal attic extension of a previous home. The collaboration between architect, impassioned client and skilled artisanal craftspeople is clear, and the resulting detail imbues the home with character.

Occupying a prominent corner within garden-rich Subiaco in Western Australia, the like-named home takes form as a contemporary cottage structure.

Built by Mulberry Homes, the project was coordinated from Vokes and Peters’ studio base in Brisbane. The architects sought to embody the essence of the area in their response. The generous courtyard offers both a private residential zone, and with the built structure that borders the courtyard, offers itself as almost an additional room within the home. The suburban ‘cloister’ creates a rare interaction beyond the site lines of the residential. The louvered wall then provides a staged interface with the streetscape, and a sense of movement and life from the street. In balance to this embracing of the public life beyond its walls, the corner edge of the home acts as a buffer, while residents have the option to retreat to more private areas of the home.

The collaboration between architect, impassioned client and skilled artisanal craftspeople is clear, and the resulting detail imbues the home with character.

Throughout, the evidence of craftsmanship can be seen everywhere. From the nuanced timber bathroom cabinetry, to the underside of the long-spanning terrace to the courtyard, through to the terracotta shingles on the roof, all elements have been considered and integrated through a bespoke lens. Such detailing is rare in a contemporary residential build and the resulting Subiaco House seems to embrace its armour with elation. Vokes and Peters Architects has carefully worked within limiting guidelines, geographic distance and within an area of established character to create a home that truly embodies the meaning of unique.

Built by Mulberry Homes, the project was coordinated from Vokes and Peters’ studio base in Brisbane.