Backwards design creates an architect's forever home in Perth

Arranged around a series of gardens that create seasonal outdoor rooms, the house of MJA Studio design director Jimmy Thompson – designed in collaboration with Studio Roam and IOTA – riffs on Australian modernist architects Marshall Clifton and Julius Elischer and their search for an appropriate Perth architecture vernacular.

The story starts with an international flight – from Norway, in case you were wondering.

“While waiting for a flight, I saw the block come up for sale,” Jimmy says.

“I gave myself the challenge that if I could design a great plan on the flight home, I’d put in an offer once we landed.”

As they say, the rest is history, and the site was secured within a month.

Jimmy – who designed the home for himself, his partner and their two cats – was keen to create more spaces for gardens and courtyards than the site area itself.

More specifically, “to flip the typical diagram and make the laneway our front door and the street our back while opening up in party mode to the adjacent park,” he says.

“To make things more challenging, we made a rule that [the house] had to be completely compliant with the planning codes and had to be generous to its neighbours.”

Battleaxe block subdivisions often see old backyards replaced with structures that cover most of the site, leaving little room for gardens.

Click to open gallery

A poorly defined entry sequence then results in the new home having virtually no presence in the neighbourhood.

It’s not surprising to learn that one of Jimmy’s proudest achievements is that the old nonnas who have lived in the street for some 60 years also love his new house – proof that great architecture can enrich a community rather than take away from it.

Embracing Western Australia’s enviable climate with enthusiasm, the home is articulated in such a way that it’s almost impossible to distinguish where the garden begins and the building ends.

Robust white brickwork reflects the heat of Perth’s brutal sun and provides the enclosure for the home, while the glazed blue brick accents are a nod to the surrounding blue tiled roofs.

Recycled spotted gum brings warmth to this simple palette of raw materials, connecting the exterior to the interior.

“Designing a long-term home for yourself is an intriguing and challenging prospect,” Jimmy admits.

“Being my own worst client, I redesigned the project three times, even pulling it out of the DA process to completely redesign.”

The pain has been worth it, as living in a new home has been nothing short of transformative.

“I’ve always lived in plus-100-year-old houses, which I love, but the chance to live in a home tailored specifically to the way you live is an amazing experience,” Jimmy says.

“Ultimately, I feel vindicated that all of the advice I’ve been giving to clients over the past 15 years is true – design does make a difference to how you live.

“I now find myself working less and spending much more time at home. It’s a joy I’m very grateful for.”