Beaconsfield House with Simon Pendal

In this episode I am joined by the architect Simon Pendal. We talk about his project Beaconsfield House.

The home is an extension and renovation of a 1940’s workers cottage, located in the suburbs of the Australian city of Perth. The scheme retains the original cottage fronting onto the street and extends it to the rear with a new extension to create new livings spaces, a master bedroom and a multi-purpose space for the artist owners to display their work.

This is no ordinary extension, however. The new parts have been designed intentionally as a spatial sequence, that unveils itself in a series of sculptural, primitive, cave-like spaces. The existing house is linked to the extension via a huge, upturned boat curved ceiling and the curves and circular forms are repeated in the walls and window openings.

The projected is unexpected in its suburban surroundings and has a hint of Corbusier in its use of material, form and colour.

At the end of the episode, I ask Simon the three questions I ask all my podcast guests;– what really annoys him about his home?– what house has he visited that has really inspired him?– and, if he could choose anyone to design him a new house, who would he choose?I hope you enjoy listening!