The audacious-looking concrete ribbon at this North Fremantle house makes the architecture instantly recognisable and performs an important function in the design.

Sited at the suburb’s highest point on a busy corner – with a bus lane outside – the dynamic concrete ribbon provides privacy, protects the interiors from heat gain, and complies with the local height limit, while delivering adequate head room on the staircase.

The house is arranged over four levels including a distinctive basement, where a wine cellar and bar are set into the natural limestone caprock.

On the ground and first floors, living and bedroom spaces are zoned for children and adults over two levels. 

The house is crowned by an expansive entertainer’s roof terrace that captures 360-degree views of the nearby Indian Ocean, Fremantle Port and Swan River, as well as the surrounding neighbourhood.

The unique response to the attributes and challenges of this site earned an Architecture Award in 2006; and the house looks as contemporary and timeless now as it did upon completion.