Interior of a contemporary Perth home designed with natural light, flexible spaces, coastal and indoor-outdoor influences.

Contemporary Perth Home Embraces Sustainability with Sunlit Design and Natural Materials

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Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-09-12

Coastal Inspiration Meets Modern Family Living in a Contemporary Perth Home

In the heart of Perth, Australia, the Mezzanine House by Craig Steere Architects seamlessly integrates natural elements with contemporary architecture. This modern residence, inspired by the nearby coastline, optimizes sunlight and ocean breezes, catering to a family of five. Its design offers open-plan areas for family gatherings alongside secluded spaces for personal retreat.

Forward-thinking in its approach, the house features a versatile one-bedroom apartment above the main floor. This space not only accommodates guests but also anticipates the future needs of a transitioning family. Materials like concrete, timber, and metal dominate, while sustainable solutions such as passive solar design and rainwater harvesting enhance the home’s environmental credentials.

Interior of a contemporary Perth home designed with natural light, flexible spaces, coastal and indoor-outdoor influences.
Inside Mezzanine House in Perth by Craig Steere Architects, a contemporary family home shaped by natural light, coastal inspiration, indoor-outdoor living and flexible spaces.

A Harmonious Blend of Light, Timber, and Concrete in a Modern Perth Dwelling

The home’s architecture melds timeless forms with innovative material use, creating a strong visual impact. The combination of concrete, rich timber, and metal provides a striking aesthetic, while expansive open spaces invite natural light and extend the living area outdoors.

The design contours to its site, respecting the orientation and neighboring properties. Thoughtful massing minimizes shadows, while materials reflective of the local architecture contribute to its unique identity.

Interior of a contemporary Perth home designed with natural light, flexible spaces, coastal and indoor-outdoor influences.
Inside Mezzanine House in Perth by Craig Steere Architects, a contemporary family home shaped by natural light, coastal inspiration, indoor-outdoor living and flexible spaces.

Welcoming Landscapes and Water Features

A key component of the residence’s entry is its harmonious landscaping and a serene water feature. These elements create a warm welcome and establish a connection between the house and the surrounding environment, showcasing the best of modern coastal living.

Front patio combines concrete, timber, and water feature in contemporary Perth home's entryway.
The front patio and water feature at Mezzanine House combine concrete, timber, landscaping and water in a contemporary Perth home designed by Craig Steere Architects.
Front patio combines concrete, timber, and water feature in contemporary Perth home's entryway.
The front patio and water feature at Mezzanine House combine concrete, timber, landscaping and water in a contemporary Perth home designed by Craig Steere Architects.
Front patio combines concrete, timber, and water feature in contemporary Perth home's entryway.
The front patio and water feature at Mezzanine House combine concrete, timber, landscaping and water in a contemporary Perth home designed by Craig Steere Architects.
Front patio combines concrete, timber, and water feature in contemporary Perth home's entryway.
The front patio and water feature at Mezzanine House combine concrete, timber, landscaping and water in a contemporary Perth home designed by Craig Steere Architects.

Seamless Integration of Pool and Architecture

The design of the pool alongside the house crafts a narrow outdoor corridor, merging closely with the indoor spaces. Light-colored paving encircles the pool, while glass walls invite the exterior environment inside.

The dramatic staircase above, made from black metal, contrasts with the white facade and acts as a key architectural element. The interplay of glass, dark metal, and white surfaces generates a modern aesthetic for the pool area.

Poolside area with glass walls and black steel staircase at contemporary Perth home.
The pool at Mezzanine House sits alongside the architecture, with pale paving, glass walls, a black steel staircase and a textured perforated facade.

Introducing the Material Palette

The foyer of Mezzanine House presents a blend of strong materials and spacious design. Stone and timber prominently feature, setting the material tone of the interiors while maintaining the project’s emphasis on space and natural illumination.

Foyer with concrete and timber details introduces contemporary material palette in Perth home.
Step inside the foyer of Mezzanine House in Perth, where concrete, timber and natural light introduce the contemporary material palette of this family home.

An Open Family Living Room

The primary living room is a central space for family interaction, with an open-plan design fostering connectivity throughout the abode. Its connection to the outdoors reflects the coastal theme, allowing sunlight and fresh air to enhance the living space. This setting maximizes family connectivity and comfort.

For another take on modern coastal architecture, Byron Bay’s Coastal Elegance showcases a home seamlessly blending architecture with its natural landscape.

The stone-surrounded fireplace and TV wall add depth, positioning them as focal points within this generous area.

Main living room with fireplace and TV area, open-plan family design.
The main living room at Mezzanine House features a fireplace and television area within an open-plan space designed around family living and outdoor connections.

The Kitchen’s Stone Island as a Centerpiece

In the kitchen, warm timber cabinetry pairs with a standout stone island, characterized by its vivid green and blue patterns. This central island not only serves as a visual anchor but also functions practically within the modern home.

Dark timber accents and a pale floor enhance the room’s brightness and warmth, with black pendant lighting accentuating the island below.

Kitchen featuring timber cabinetry, green stone island, and open connection to living space.
The kitchen at Mezzanine House combines rich timber cabinetry, a dramatic green stone island, dark timber ceilings and an open connection to the living area.
Kitchen featuring timber cabinetry, green stone island, and open connection to living space.
The kitchen at Mezzanine House combines rich timber cabinetry, a dramatic green stone island, dark timber ceilings and an open connection to the living area.
Kitchen featuring timber cabinetry, green stone island, and open connection to living space.
The kitchen at Mezzanine House combines rich timber cabinetry, a dramatic green stone island, dark timber ceilings and an open connection to the living area.
Kitchen featuring timber cabinetry, green stone island, and open connection to living space.
The kitchen at Mezzanine House combines rich timber cabinetry, a dramatic green stone island, dark timber ceilings and an open connection to the living area.

A Softer Second Living Space

The additional living room offers a more relaxed environment, providing alternate family space beyond the main living area. The curved sofa and fireplace create ambiance and softly divide this space from the adjacent dining area.

Distinct zones support both family time and personal privacy, showcasing thoughtful spatial planning characteristic of a modern coastal home.

Second living room with curved couch and fireplace in flexible family home.
A curved couch and fireplace feature in the second living room at Mezzanine House, creating a relaxed space within the flexible Perth family home.
Second living room with curved couch and fireplace in flexible family home.
A curved couch and fireplace feature in the second living room at Mezzanine House, creating a relaxed space within the flexible Perth family home.
Second living room with curved couch and fireplace in flexible family home.
A curved couch and fireplace feature in the second living room at Mezzanine House, creating a relaxed space within the flexible Perth family home.

Double-Height Dining Room with Tree Views

With its grand proportions, the dining room utilizes a double-height design framed by white walls and expansive windows. The warm timber flooring contrasts beautifully, while external views integrate the natural surroundings within the home.

A traditional round table with patterned chairs presents an informal character, complete with a bold black pendant adding a modern touch.

Explore how architects integrate greenery into urban designs in MVRDV Transforms Bordeaux Living to embrace elevated green spaces.

Double-height dining room with timber table, chairs, sculptural pendant and large glazing.
A double-height dining room at Mezzanine House pairs a round timber table, patterned chairs and a sculptural black pendant with expansive glazing and treetop views.

Flexible Home Office

The home office doubles as a guest bedroom, showcasing the architects’ vision for flexible spaces. This dual-purpose room adapts to the evolving needs of the household, illustrating the home’s capability to serve various functions over time.

Flexible home office doubles as guest bedroom, adapting to family's changing needs.
Mezzanine House includes a flexible home office that can also function as a guest bedroom, helping the Perth home adapt to changing family needs.

Striking Staircases

Mezzanine House features distinctive staircases, integral to its architectural charm. The primary staircase blends floating timber steps with steel and glass elements, unifying key materials within the open-plan space.

The second staircase carries a lighter aesthetic, combining timber, metal, and glass for a cohesive, airy stairwell filled with natural light from large windows.

Distinctive staircase with timber treads, black metal, glass balustrades in Perth home.
Mezzanine House features two distinctive staircases, combining floating timber treads, black metal, glass balustrades and natural light within the contemporary Perth home.
Distinctive staircase with timber treads, black metal, glass balustrades in Perth home.
Mezzanine House features two distinctive staircases, combining floating timber treads, black metal, glass balustrades and natural light within the contemporary Perth home.
Distinctive staircase with timber treads, black metal, glass balustrades in Perth home.
Mezzanine House features two distinctive staircases, combining floating timber treads, black metal, glass balustrades and natural light within the contemporary Perth home.

Luxurious Dark Timber Bedroom

The bedroom encapsulates a cozy retreat with vertical timber paneling providing warmth and depth. Timber floors and crisp bedding maintain the room’s freshness, complemented by pillows adding subtle color accents.

Bedroom with dark timber paneling, warm wood floors, and coastal views in Perth home.
Dark timber paneling, warm wood floors and coastal views come together in the bedroom of Mezzanine House, a contemporary family home in Perth by Craig Steere Architects.
Bedroom with dark timber paneling, warm wood floors, and coastal views in Perth home.
Dark timber paneling, warm wood floors and coastal views come together in the bedroom of Mezzanine House, a contemporary family home in Perth by Craig Steere Architects.

Elegant Green Stone Bathroom

The bathroom showcases an elegant mix of gray stone, charcoal surfaces, and rich timber. A green stone countertop brings a pop of color, complementing the bathtub and shower areas illuminated by skylights.

Bathroom with gray stone, timber cabinetry, green stone countertop, and freestanding bathtub.
Inside the Mezzanine House bathroom, soft gray stone, dark surfaces, timber cabinetry and a green stone countertop create a calm contemporary space with a freestanding bathtub.
Bathroom with gray stone, timber cabinetry, green stone countertop, and freestanding bathtub.
Inside the Mezzanine House bathroom, soft gray stone, dark surfaces, timber cabinetry and a green stone countertop create a calm contemporary space with a freestanding bathtub.

Versatile Mezzanine Apartment

The mezzanine level offers a one-bedroom apartment with flexibility for future use, from hosting guests to adapting to family changes. This thoughtful addition underscores the long-term vision of the Mezzanine House design, a beautiful architectural masterpiece.

Mezzanine with flexible one-bedroom apartment for family visits and future changes.
The mezzanine at Mezzanine House provides a flexible one-bedroom apartment designed for visiting family and future changes in the family’s needs.

Mezzanine House elegantly combines family needs with the modern architecture of Perth. Embracing materials like concrete, timber, and metal, the design offers open living areas connected seamlessly to the outdoors, creating a versatile and enduring architectural icon.

Photography by Blake Hobson Photography

Source: contemporist.com

Frequently asked questions

What sustainable design elements are used in the Perth home?

The house features sustainable solutions such as passive solar design and rainwater harvesting to enhance its environmental credentials.

How does the Perth home integrate natural materials?

The home prominently uses materials like concrete, timber, and metal, which blend with innovative material use to create a striking aesthetic.

What is unique about the kitchen design in the Perth home?

The kitchen includes a standout stone island characterized by its vivid green and blue patterns, serving as a visual anchor and functioning practically within the modern home.