The home was commissioned by a florist and an engineer. Sited near bushland on a broad expanse of the Swan River Basin, the design transplants the functional geometry of the European farm quadrangle to the new house while still enjoying its West Australian bush setting. The fourth side of the quadrangle, traditionally a building housing farm machinery, has been replaced instead by a row-planted picking garden designed for the owner by landscape architect Realm Studios.
Project Name: Bartram Rd
Architect Name: Mountford Architects
The house comprises of strong forms hewn from the local limestone. Inside, the inhabitants will enjoy long sight lines and views framed around the 300+ year old paper bark trees.
The interior spaces are set up to reflect the play of light and shadow and abstractions of the West Australian bush as the sun’s arc projects them across interior walls.
This home has been thoughtfully designed to provide well considered, well appointed shelter to accommodate the owners’ rural lifestyle.
Ben Mountford
Practice principal and registered architect Ben Mountford has extensive experience in high end single residential development, alterations and additions as well as selected commercial projects, both in Sydney and in Perth.
The son of a master builder, Ben spent many Sydney summers and semester breaks as a builder’s apprentice. After 2 years studying for a Bachelor of Construction Management at Sydney’s University of Technology and international travels, Ben returned to study architecture and now marries his grass roots knowledge of construction with his formal construction management studies and years of architectural training and practice. Since completing his architectural honours degree at the University of Western Australia, Ben worked on large public projects with leading east coast firm Daryl Jackson – Robyn Dyke before returning to Perth to start his own practice.
Ben has taught design at the University of Western Australia’s School of Architecture, presents annually at Open House Perth weekends, is a regular judge of the Australian Institute of Architecture (AIA) awards and maintains an A+ membership of the AIA, When not at home, he likes to travel to stay engaged with all the best architecture and developments in the built environment both nationally and abroad.
