Prior to its recent transformation, this house in Marmion, Perth was a brown brick house with a terracotta tiled roof that was solid and well built, but uninspiring. Rather than demolishing and redeveloping, architects State of Kin and their clients saw potential for rejuvenation and renewal. 

In reconfiguring the floorplan and wrapping the brick facade in a new metal ‘skin,’ the architects have completely transformed the home, within its existing footprint. Through shifting and demolishing internal walls alone, they’ve created a more open and functional home, without losing any bedrooms or bathrooms.

From the outset, State of Kin envisioned wrapping the facade to modify the home’s exterior appearance, instead of altering the existing structure. 

They designed a maroon perforated metal facade, that provides a distinct visual identity and doubles as a shade and privacy screen. ‘The shadow and light impact of this floating metal skin is quite beautiful, casting dynamic shapes and patterns across the surfaces of the home and layering another vibrant texture to the spaces within,’ says Ara Salomone, State of Kin co-director. 

The interior colour palette builds on the bold facade, with subtle nods to the home’s original 1970s/80s design (cork and terrazzo) and the surrounding coastal landscape (dusty greens and earthy hues).  ‘It has a fantastically fun energy that is consistently intriguing without being overwhelming,’ says Ara. ‘It definitely has a more expressive and emotive presence, and character all of its own now.’ 

The renovation has given the home a new lease on life, providing a strong case for the retention and renewal of brown brick homes, commonly found across Australian suburbs. ‘The fact that we could create truly spacious, well-appointed rooms and improved movement, without losing the fabric of the original home, was really gratifying,’ says Ara. 

State of Kin’s design acknowledges and revels in the home’s history, while respectfully moving it into the future.