Port Coogee Residence

ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING BY HUMPHREY HOMES 

HOME SIZE: 589 SQM 
BLOCK SIZE: 750 SQM 
 

A water playground built on the stunning canals of Port Coogee is the latest project to come to life under the careful eye of Humphrey Homes. 

The three-level nautical inspired home features a 200sqm private oasis on the upper floor, 300sqm of active living at ground level and 89sqm of direct water access to play on the canals, all offering uninterrupted views across the stunning water. 

This is a retirement home for an active couple who are debunking the norm of slowing down for a traditional life after ceasing full time work. Built using a combination of brick and timber, careful consideration was given to all materials and products given the close proximity to the water.

Everyday living is maximised on the ground and basement levels with both floors engaging with the water and offering a choice of areas to relax or entertain, and easy access thanks to a private elevator. 

The ground floor invites active and connected living with an open plan design flowing from the canal all the way to the street, some 50m away. A key design consideration was the inclusion of a long central courtyard which offers a sanctuary away from the harsh winds and visual relief and permeability from one end of the home to the other. 

“The generous sun-lit courtyard is connected via French and sliding doors for a seamless indoor/outdoor alfresco lifestyle to the kitchen, scullery and dining zones, and provides the perfect escape for when the weather on the water is perhaps too much, as it is fully protected yet still offers uninterrupted views. 

The interiors take their cue from the architecture with lashings of light, white and timber influences, reminiscent of a modern-day boathouse. Think white weatherboards, vertical posts with wire balustrading, white flecked stone benchtops, American oak timber veneer cabinetry and engineered timber floors with a custom stain to suit the owners’ personal aesthetic. Outside the dry-laid Lanai stone anchors the home giving it strength that balances its airy feel above and inside. 

Step down to discover the basement level complete with private jetty which is a veritable playground with space for a boat, stand up paddle boards and lots of other water toys.  Next to that is an open deck, complete with a full kitchen and wetroom with shower and toilet, for when you step out of the water to freshen up before going upstairs.  The area is essentially a private boat house and its feel is rustic and industrial with pops of life thanks to feature paving and lush greenery. 

Again, this whole area is protected from the elements – this time in the form of glass stacker doors – so it feels like a private cave that can be opened up or closed off as needed. 

Quiet and private living is enjoyed on the upper floor with the master suite and study overlooking the canals and the second and third bedrooms enjoying an oversized proportion to accommodate extended family when they choose to stay.  A north facing playroom swathed in light completes this retreat as a private place for children to play. 

Designed by Humphrey Homes, this is a home full of surprises on every level.  
It has now been several weeks since we accepted the keys to our home enabling Faye and I to move in and commence to benefit and enjoy the results of several years of planning as well as a lifetime of experience we drew upon to determine how we wanted to live. This time has also provided an opportunity to reflect upon the whole process from early engagement with you and your team where we were able to sit with the Builder and Architect to work through and discuss a concept and then develop plans which reflected our requirements. The benefit of working directly with the Builder and in house Architect ensured ownership of outcomes where design challenges were addressed and agreed at an early stage which then flowed through the building process extinguishing interface challenges between owners architect and builder with the added benefit of preventing delays to the building schedule. We also look back and acknowledge the further benefit and advantages of working with Humphrey Homes where your in house interior designer was available early, therefore greatly assisted us to select products and finishes which reduced our concerns about what would work and wouldn’t work in the completed home. Once again, having these in house services ensured the team were working together during the build process and I am sure preventing delays to the building schedule as well as potential costly rework through changes being made on the run. We would like to also acknowledge and recognize the detailed oversight of your site supervisor Dave who was completely across every aspect of the build process and schedule , he was contactable at any time to discuss any queries we had plus he called us to question concerns or options he identified which would enhance the final product. Your subcontractor trade teams were well experienced in building the Humphrey Homes way and when we look back this ensured the we could sleep at night knowing full well our house would be a home we could enjoy for years to come. Faye and I discussed on many occasions about how we could simply describe the building process with you and your team and we have settled upon the following , Open, Honest, Easy. Kind Regards Stuart and Faye Kenny
Stuart & Faye Kenny, North Coogee