Passive Solar Design · Bickley, Perth Hills WA
The Bickley
Residence
Project Overview
Living among
the trees.
Nestled into the natural slope of a bushland site in Bickley, Perth Hills, the Bickley Residence is a home designed in dialogue with its landscape — lightly touching the earth while opening itself fully to the surrounding treetops and distant views.
The design responds directly to the terrain, lifting the primary living spaces above ground level to minimise site impact while creating a sense of elevation and immersion within nature. A contemporary response to climate, privacy, and light — designed through a passive solar lens.
Concept
A sanctuary that feels both protective and expansive — where architecture and landscape exist in constant dialogue.
A sanctuary nestled
into the hillside.
At the heart of the home, a central fireplace anchors the open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces — both spatially and experientially. This vertical element defines zones without enclosing them, creating a subtle rhythm between gathering, retreat and connection. Double-height glazing draws natural light deep into the interior, while carefully positioned openings frame curated views of the surrounding bush.
A continuous wraparound terrace extends the living spaces outward, dissolving the boundary between inside and out. Deep overhangs provide passive solar shading, allowing winter sun to warm the interiors while protecting from summer heat — supporting a comfortable, energy-efficient living environment throughout the year.
An exploration of balance — between architecture and landscape, openness and shelter, form and feeling.
Materiality is intentionally restrained and grounded — warm timber linings, natural stone and a muted external palette allow the home to sit quietly within its bushland context. Internally, soft textures and natural finishes create a calm, sensory environment that enhances wellbeing and daily rituals.
Private spaces are positioned to maximise outlook and privacy, with bedrooms opening to elevated views and filtered light. Each room maintains a strong connection to nature — reinforcing the home's overarching intention to create a sanctuary that feels both protective and expansive.
Design features
built into every detail
Elevated Site Response
Primary living spaces lifted above ground level to minimise site impact, reduce earthworks and create a sense of elevation and immersion within the surrounding bushland.
Wraparound Terrace
A continuous terrace extends living spaces outward — dissolving the boundary between inside and out and creating a seamless connection to the landscape from every aspect.
Passive Solar Shading
Deep overhangs precisely calibrated to Perth Hills sun path — allowing winter sun to warm the interiors while protecting from summer heat without mechanical intervention.
Central Fireplace Anchor
A central fireplace defines the open-plan living, dining and kitchen without enclosing them — creating a spatial rhythm between gathering, retreat and connection.
Double-Height Glazing
Generous double-height glazing draws natural light deep into the interior while carefully framing curated views of the surrounding bush and treetops.
Natural Material Palette
Warm timber linings, natural stone and a muted external palette allow the home to sit quietly within its bushland context — grounded, calm and deeply connected to place.
Bickley · Perth Hills · Western Australia
Sloping block home design in Perth Hills, Western Australia
The Bickley Residence is an example of how thoughtful residential design can respond to a challenging sloping block in the Perth Hills — turning the site's topography into an architectural advantage. By elevating the primary living spaces, the home achieves views across the bushland canopy while minimising excavation and site disturbance.
Passive solar principles are integrated from the ground up — deep overhangs, northern orientation and considered glazing placement work together to deliver year-round thermal comfort across the Perth Hills climate. This approach reduces reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, lowering energy consumption and running costs over the lifetime of the home.
Studio Origami designs sloping block, bushland and elevated homes across the Perth Hills region — including Bickley, Kalamunda, Darlington, Lesmurdie, Gidgegannup, Mundaring and the Swan Valley. If you have a challenging site or a sloping block in Perth Hills, book a strategy session to explore what's possible.
Inspired by
The Bickley?
Book a 90-minute Passive Home Strategy Session with Izabela — walk away with expert guidance and a personalised Project Clarity Document.
Follow the journey
See our work
in progress
Projects, details, materials and ideas — follow Studio Origami on Instagram for an inside look at Passive House and healthy home design in Perth, WA.
@studioorigamidesign
