MAGNOLIA
TYPE
LOCATION
STATUS
CLIENT
SITE AREA
FLOOR AREA
TEAM
New Residential Home
North Perth, Western Australia
Development Approval Granted
Private
334m²
167m² new build
Craig Nener
James Russell
Tucked between two laneways, Magnolia is a courtyard home for a growing family—private, passively designed, and planned for generational living.
Magnolia is a family home on a tight battle-axe block in North Perth, nestled at the junction of two laneways. Designed for a young couple planning their future, the house forms a private interior world—supporting daily life, deep rest, and small moments of joy.
The home is structured around a central courtyard that brings light, air, and greenery into the core. A full-circuit circulation strategy gives the plan a sense of generosity and fluidity, despite the site’s compact nature. Zones are clearly defined: a kids’ wing, a secluded parents’ retreat, and a guest suite designed for long stays by the grandparents. Several transitional spaces double in function—bathrooms as corridors, walk-through wardrobes, and a study that forms the connective tissue to the master wing—reinforcing the home’s layered and multifunctional logic.
Passive solar principles guide the layout. Deep eaves offer shade in summer, while high windows and cross ventilation invite natural cooling. Rainwater is harvested and reused, with overflow directed into the gardens to nourish the landscape.
Wrapped in lime-rendered masonry and topped with a simple pitched roof, Magnolia presents as a quiet, grounded object—a soft fortress shaped for family, resilience, and light.
TYPE
LOCATION
STATUS
CLIENT
SITE AREA
FLOOR AREA
COLLABORATORS
New Residential
North Perth, Western Australia
Development Approval Granted
Private
334m²
167m² new build
James Russell
Tucked between two laneways, Magnolia is a courtyard home for a growing family—private, passively designed, and planned for generational living.
Magnolia is a family home on a tight battle-axe block in North Perth, nestled at the junction of two laneways. Designed for a young couple planning their future, the house forms a private interior world—supporting daily life, deep rest, and small moments of joy.
The home is structured around a central courtyard that brings light, air, and greenery into the core. A full-circuit circulation strategy gives the plan a sense of generosity and fluidity, despite the site’s compact nature. Zones are clearly defined: a kids’ wing, a secluded parents’ retreat, and a guest suite designed for long stays by the grandparents. Several transitional spaces double in function—bathrooms as corridors, walk-through wardrobes, and a study that forms the connective tissue to the master wing—reinforcing the home’s layered and multifunctional logic.
Passive solar principles guide the layout. Deep eaves offer shade in summer, while high windows and cross ventilation invite natural cooling. Rainwater is harvested and reused, with overflow directed into the gardens to nourish the landscape.
Wrapped in lime-rendered masonry and topped with a simple pitched roof, Magnolia presents as a quiet, grounded object—a soft fortress shaped for family, resilience, and light.