Casa Nostra 2015

House Notes – Casa Nostra

This generous four‐bedroom home is situated in an elevated position. Architects Di Lanzo & Partner have optimised the site’s possibilities, providing ample space, amenity, flexibility, outlook, and privacy. Throughout the house the spaciousness of each large, high‐ceilinged room is enhanced by soft daylight and comfortable cross‐ventilation. The rooms’ long internal views and picturesque outlooks provide a tranquil, private, pavilion‐like setting. The rooms afford a variety of shared and private areas, with extensive external engagement.

The home is organised over two wings. The north wing addresses the street, providing expansive views across the treetops ‐ eastward to the Darling scarp and westward to the coastal ridge. Deep inset balconies on both levels take great advantage of these sweeping views. The south wing addresses the leafy green garden. The wings are linked by the central courtyard and glazed open stairwell.

The central stair ascends from the ground floor shared areas, up to the first floor bedrooms – master suite to the north wing, and three bedrooms and lounge to the south.

Between the north and south wings are the second bathroom, toilet and linen room.

The linen room includes a pull‐down attic stair which accesses the second floor roof deck.

The roof deck presents a spectacular panorama of the area ‐ uninterrupted views across the treetops along the western ridge, from City Beach to Karrinyup, to the northeast the Darling scarp, to the southeast the city skyline.

Roof and perimeter walls are ventilated and heavily insulated, keeping the house cool in summer and snug in winter. Comfortable summer temperatures are achieved without air‐conditioning.

The living areas are flexible. No internal structure means these areas can be reconfigured if desired.

Jarrah has been used for cladding, floor parquetry, and stair treads. All jarrah was salvaged reused framing and flooring from the block’s original timber-framed cottage.