CAPA builds narrow residence with patterned brickwork and stone in australia

australian studio carrier and postmus architects (CAPA) has completed the red zephyr blue (RZB) house on a narrow lot in perth, with a design that mediates the heat (red) and cool (blue) by allowing natural breezes of the area (zephyr) for liveability. the residence takes into consideration several environmental factors, and connects to the surrounding landscape through various ways, including a viewing platform on the upper floor that provides views of the adjacent jualbup lake, as well as a courtyard on the back complete with a plunge pool. upon the clients’ request, air-conditioning has been completely omitted, and only passive cooling has been used instead, while a thermal chimney allows residents to adjust to season and time of day. 

images by douglas mark black

CAPA has put the kitchen at the center of the RZB house, and surrounded it with an open layering of dining, shaded terraces, pond, gardens and summer gazebo spaces. built as a couple’s home for an music lover and an artist, with a shared love for perth’s natural environment, the residence incorporates a series of living ponds, as well as various native plants enclosing and layering its stone and brickwork base.a private music room has been designed acoustically to enclose the client’s music collection, together with an extensive collection of solid bookshelves. above it, the artist’s studio is connected to the outside environment, with its terrace opening out to the streetscape and a paneled shutter as a playful reminder of its connection to inside living spaces. design considerations include featured and patterned brickwork and stone, radiant heating, minimal down-lighting, ethically sourced timber, endemic plantings and productive gardens,  as well as rain and solar collection.

project info:

name: red zephyr blue (RZB) house 

architect: CAPA

team: justin carrier (project director), qian yun say (project leader), steven postmus, jeremy su, chimalizeni mwenda, kah wai leong

location: western australia

builder: weststyle design & development

consultancy team:  ACCE – structural engineer, CADDS group – energy consultant & building compliance