Spirited Away

The Shutter House’s handsome facade shields a private oasis in Perth, enlivened by greenery and colourful furnishings

- Luo Jingmei

As its name implies, a shell of timber batten screens cloaks the Shutter House. Located in Wembley, a western suburb in Perth, Australia, the project was conceived not for a homeowner, but rather as a lifelike showcase for furniture and architectural products from Australian company Mobilia. The result proved to be so inspiring that it was later purchased as is by a buyer who wanted to own it as an actual home.

Headquartered in Perth, the family-owned Mobilia offers a tasteful selection of brands such as Kettal, Cassina and Moroso. Mobilia had tasked Perth-based multidisciplinary firm State of Kin to design and furnish the house. “The project served as an exciting opportunity to test design ideas,” says Alessandra French, who leads State of Kin with co-director Ara Salomone.

SHAPING SPACES

The architecture and design of the house connect intimately with its site near Lake Monger. The main door, located at the base of the steeply sloped site, opens to a triple-storey foyer that features Perth-based artist Elle Campbell’s art and a Fordite 3 rug from CC-Tapis.

These lively additions complement the fluid design of the staircase’s handrail. “The handrail winds seamlessly around the spine of the staircase like a delicate ribbon that curves and flows up, over and around the path of travel,” describes French. “At its core, the home’s design is meant to be expressive; it invites you to look closer. We took great pride in creating interesting spaces with the materials and their application. When these materials catch the light, it makes for multifaceted expressions.”