Louisa Street Pool House.
Fremantle, Western Australia
2023
What began as a modest heritage renovation soon became something bigger. When the neighbouring lot came up for sale, the owners decided to join the two sites and create one generous garden. The result is a double heritage property stitched together by landscape, light and a shared sense of ease. Old cottages at the front, modern living behind, with a pool house and party basement hidden in the mix.
Project Team
Client: Private
Location: South Fremantle, Western Australia
Size: 90m2 addition + renovation
Architect + Photography: Tim Pardoe
Interior Design: Jane Agnew
Builder: Peter Bell Constructions
Structural Engineer: Burdett + Goodison
Heritage and Landscape
Both cottages were carefully restored, keeping their limestone walls and timber detailing intact. Rather than adding bulk, the new works pull back to make room for green space. The design favours garden over footprint, turning what could have been a carport into a native courtyard filled with birds, light and texture. Hidden water tanks store rainwater for irrigation and reduce mains use, while solar panels quietly power the fun.
— Louisa Street Clients
“Visitors walk through the heritage cottage, into the back gardens and just go WOW!”
The Garden as Hero
The pool sits at the heart of the site, framed by native planting and reclaimed brick paving. By using an external moat instead of a conventional fence, the pool merges seamlessly with the garden. It feels open, safe and relaxed, just as a Fremantle garden should. The slender bridge link between houses ties the two properties together without crowding them, keeping airflow, light and privacy intact.
Craft, Reuse and Character
Much of the project’s richness lies in its honesty. Heritage stone and brick were revealed from beneath layers of paint, now celebrated as features rather than covered again. A simple palette of white, black, concrete and jarrah connects every space, from sunny terraces to the cool retreat below. Reuse, restraint and craftsmanship drive the character rather than decoration.
The Berlin Basement
Beneath the garden, a sound-insulated basement becomes an unexpected delight. A retreat by day, a small nightclub by night. Fremantle meets Berlin in a space that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is proof that sustainable design can still have a sense of humour and a strong beat.
