Clifton & Central
Nestled in one of Perth’s most desirable suburbs, Mount Lawley, Clifton & Central amazes passers-by with its striking geometric façade combined with an architectural story narrated in brick. Speaking to its local context, the architectural fabric of Clifton & Central focused on the craft and detail of brickwork, honouring the typology of Federation housing in the area.
Director of MJA Studio, Jimmy Thompson, utilised a combination of running bonds, Flemish bonds, hit-and-miss and basket weave lay patterns to demonstrate brickwork's intricate and artisanal nature throughout the build.
“[Brick] is a simple, humble object, but you can quickly elevate that into something which has so much more power, strength and art to it when you start changing the coursing of it,” says Thompson.
Developer Tim Willing of Willing Property holds a similar sentiment regarding the brickwork. “It always has warmth, beauty and a handmade nature to it. I look at it as a signature of every project – I want to build in real materials and interpret them in a new way for the way we live now.”
Austral Bricks were selected for the build for two primary reasons: the variation within the ranges and its local origins.
Thompson says of the range, “The beauty of working with brick is the patina – it just keeps getting better in terms of how it ages. When you’re working in established neighbourhoods; responding to that context; and making something feel lived in from day dot, it’s a wonderful outcome.”
Clifton & Central merges local lifestyles with European flavour through its distinct material palette and warm atmosphere. Both the architect and developer shared a joint passion for instilling a placemaking and community-building approach through the site. As a third-generation Mount Lawley resident, developer Tim Willing was determined to emulate the village feel of the suburb he remembers growing up in throughout the new development.
The corner deli, now run by Willing himself, has been retained and transformed into a small coffee shop. A mainstay and local gem in the neighbourhood, it was imperative that Willing fulfilled the community-oriented approach by giving this site a new lease on life.
New shop tenancies were carefully curated to maximise neighbourhood convenience. The result? A vibrant mix of a wine bar, beauty salon, Asian deli, barber shop and yoga studio to electrify the suburban atmosphere and improve local amenities.
Clifton & Central foregrounds the value and importance of a community-building approach within mixed-use developments. MJA Studio tells the story of the surrounding architectural typology through expressive brickwork and the meticulous craft of lay patterns while honouring the suburb’s local charm.
“[Brick] is a simple, humble object, but you can quickly elevate that into something which has so much more power, strength and art to it when you start changing the coursing of it”
“[Brick] is a simple, humble object, but you can quickly elevate that into something which has so much more power, strength and art to it when you start changing the coursing of it”
- With enduring style, energy saving efficiency, and everlasting strength, a home built with Austral Bricks is a place to live, love and be you.
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