Teh Residence

Teh Residence

Applecross, Perth, Western Australia

TL;DR

Designed for a multi-generational family on a newly subdivided site in Rossmoyne, the Teh Residence demonstrates how thoughtful planning and environmental performance can be achieved within a highly cost-effective residential design.

While the home’s efficient layout naturally led towards a simple rectilinear form, careful attention was given to ensuring the residence felt welcoming and connected to its suburban context. Layered materials, recessed forms and a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional gable forms soften the streetscape presence, balancing privacy, solar protection and visual permeability.

Internally, a series of light wells and planted courtyards carve into the building footprint, ensuring every habitable room receives access to northern or southern light. Combined with clear zoning between children’s accommodation, living areas, the master suite and a flexible secondary suite for extended family, the residence supports both immediate and long-term family needs. Through restrained materiality, intelligent planning and careful environmental design, the project delivers a home that is efficient, adaptable and designed to age gracefully with its occupants.

A Home Designed Around Family

The brief centred on creating a flexible multi-generational home capable of supporting changing family dynamics over time. Rather than simply increasing floor area, the design focuses on intelligent zoning, establishing clear separation between children’s bedrooms, shared living spaces, the master suite and a dedicated secondary suite suitable for ageing parents, guests or independent family members.

This approach allows multiple generations to live together while maintaining privacy, independence and flexibility as needs evolve.

Bringing Light into the Plan

Environmental performance was a key driver of the design. Rather than forming a deep rectangular floorplate, the residence incorporates a series of light wells and minor courtyards that indent into the built form.

These openings ensure every habitable room receives access to quality northern or southern light, improving comfort, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and creating opportunities for natural cross ventilation. What could have become a large and inward-looking home instead feels bright, open and connected throughout the day.

Contemporary Yet Familiar

While highly efficient in plan, the residence avoids the imposing character often associated with larger contemporary homes.

Face brickwork grounds the building within its suburban setting, while a floating upper volume clad in standing seam metal introduces a sense of lightness. Suspended screening elements reference the traditional box-gable forms common throughout the area, simultaneously providing privacy, shading and architectural character.

The result is a home that feels contemporary without losing connection to its context.

Honest Materials, Lasting Value

Internally, the residence is defined by a restrained palette of timber, exposed concrete and white plaster. Ground-floor concrete soffits are left exposed, providing thermal mass and a timeless sense of permanence, while timber floors introduce warmth and tactility.

Like the planning itself, the material palette focuses on longevity rather than fashion. Every element performs multiple roles, balancing cost, durability, environmental performance and architectural character. The result is a home that feels calm, robust and enduring.

Architecture Through Simplicity

The Teh Residence demonstrates that successful family homes do not necessarily require complex forms or extravagant budgets.

Through intelligent planning, climate-responsive design and carefully considered materiality, the project transforms a straightforward brief into a highly adaptable and enjoyable place to live. It is a home designed not simply for today, but for the many different ways a family may occupy it in the decades ahead.