• Roscommon House by Neil Cownie Architect

Roscommon House

My clients have a love for modernism and concrete. This comes from their appreciation of the history of the Perth 1960’s ‘Garden Suburbs’ of Floreat and City Beach.

It was this love of modernism that led them to purchase land in Floreat. They wanted a family home that respected and drew on the modernist history of the area. My clients had a passion for a house constructed from grey timber board finished concrete.

The wonderful thing about working with concrete is the liquid nature of the poured concrete prior to it setting as a sort of ‘liquid stone’. This allows the molds that hold the concrete to define the finished texture.

Through investigation we sourced a suitable timber board and sand blasted the surface of the timber to expose the grain. This timber then formed the mold into which the liquid concrete was poured. The end result is a wonderful textured timber grain finish to the concrete.

The low slung street front roof over the living room and dining room has a ‘scooped’ profiled concrete upturn referencing the old City Beach Surf Lifesaving building. Inspiration for this roof form was also taken from both the City Beach and Floreat Beach Kiosks.

My clients wanted a house that would be relevant over a long period of time. They wanted to remain in this house during different stages of family life. It was an important consideration to make sure that there was versatility in the way the house could be used.

They wanted to have an understated house from the street. They didn’t want a mansion look so it’s a single story house from the front. The only first floor part is the master bedroom. The space has privacy because of the landscaping in the roof garden. The owners can step out into this garden from their master bedroom.

We’ve also worked with artists to co-design elements used in the buildings and surrounds.

Accolades

Roscommon House has received the following accolades:

World Architecture Festival ‘INSIDE’ Awards ‘Residential’ category finalist (one of 12 worldwide) – Winners announced following a live presentation to Jurors – Amsterdam November 2018.

R.A.I.A. WA Architecture Award ‘Residential’ category 2018 for Roscommon House.

R.A.I.A. WA Architecture Award ‘Interior Architecture’ category 2018 for Roscommon House.

R.A.I.A. WA ‘Shortlisted’ in the Lighting Award category 2018 for Roscommon House (one of five buildings).

Australian Timber Design Awards 2018 National Winner in the ‘Residential Interior fit-out’ category for Roscommon House.

Australian Timber Design Awards 2018 Finalist in the ‘Furniture / Joinery’ category 2018 for Roscommon House.

Australia by Design – Channel 10 TV Program ‘Best in State’ Award 2018 + ‘Runner up’ Award Nationally for Roscommon House.

Interior Design Awards (IDA) Honourable Mention 2018 for Roscommon House.

Houses Magazine Awards Shortlisted ‘Residential 200sqm + Category 2018 for Roscommon House.

Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Shortlisted ‘Residential Category 2018 for Roscommon House – Winners announced November 2018.

Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Shortlisted ‘Sustainability’ Category 2018 for Roscommon House – Winners announced November 2018.

Image Credits: Michael Nicholson, Rob Frith, Jack Lovel

Read a review of this project at Eco Outdoors.