Passive Solar Design · Bassendean, Perth WA
The
Harcourt
Project Overview
A contemporary response to
climate, privacy and light.
The Harcourt is a carefully considered two-storey home in Bassendean, designed to harness natural light, enhance thermal performance, and create a sense of calm, protected living within an urban context. The architecture balances openness with privacy, using layered elements that filter light and frame the experience of the home.
At its core, the design is driven by solar passive principles — optimising orientation, shading and thermal mass to create a home that remains comfortable throughout the seasons with minimal reliance on mechanical systems.
Concept
Light as a living material — shifting, filtering and moving through the home throughout the day, shaped by laser-cut screens and precise solar design.
Light, filtered and
purposefully shaped.
A defining feature of the project is the use of laser-cut screening to the upper level. These perforated panels act as a dynamic environmental filter — softening sunlight into a dappled glow while maintaining privacy from the street and neighbouring properties. Throughout the day, light shifts across surfaces, bringing a sense of movement and atmosphere into the interior spaces.
The ground floor opens into a sequence of interconnected living spaces, flowing effortlessly into a protected outdoor courtyard. Large glazed openings dissolve the boundary between inside and out, encouraging natural ventilation and reinforcing a strong connection to landscape and lifestyle.
Light as a living material — shifting through laser-cut screens to bring movement and atmosphere into every interior space.
A sculptural stone fireplace chimney anchors the home, providing both a visual focal point and a sense of material grounding. This element contrasts with the lighter upper form, creating a layered composition that feels both contemporary and timeless. Materiality throughout is deliberately restrained — combining light-toned volumes with darker cladding and textured stone to create depth, contrast and longevity.
Design features
built into every detail
Laser-Cut Screening
Perforated panels to the upper level act as a dynamic environmental filter — softening sunlight into a dappled glow while maintaining privacy from street and neighbours.
Solar Passive Principles
Orientation, shading and thermal mass optimised to deliver year-round comfort with minimal reliance on mechanical heating and cooling in Perth's warm temperate climate.
Protected Outdoor Courtyard
Ground floor living spaces flow into a protected outdoor courtyard — large glazed openings dissolving the boundary between inside and out, supporting natural ventilation.
Sculptural Stone Fireplace
A stone fireplace chimney anchors the home spatially and materially — contrasting with the lighter upper form to create a layered composition that feels contemporary and timeless.
Natural Ventilation Design
Cross-ventilation encouraged through strategic placement of glazed openings — reducing heat build-up and maintaining fresh air circulation throughout the Perth summer.
Restrained Material Palette
Light-toned volumes, darker cladding elements and textured stone combine to create depth, contrast and longevity — a composition that ages beautifully over time.
Inspired by
The Harcourt?
Book a 90-minute Passive Home Strategy Session with Izabela — walk away with expert guidance and a personalised Project Clarity Document.
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