Designing Within Claremont's Heritage Streetscapes
Few suburbs in Perth apply as much sustained attention to heritage conservation as Claremont. The Town commissioned its first built environment survey in 1991, formally adopted it as a Municipal Inventory the following year, and has reviewed the resulting heritage list multiple times since, most recently in 2024. The Town also runs a biennial Civic Design Awards program that publicly recognises strong examples of heritage conservation and urban design, and it has developed specific guidelines covering both additions to listed places and new development within heritage dominant streetscapes. For homeowners, this means a Claremont project often starts with a clear question: is the existing home on the Heritage List, and if so, what aspects of it, typically the street facing form and detail, carry the significance that needs to be retained. Our approach in these situations is to treat the heritage fabric as a starting condition rather than a constraint to be minimised, developing additions that are legible as new work while sitting comfortably alongside the original building.
Why Professional Architectural Design Matters
Coastal and regional projects come with constraints that aren't always obvious at the start.
A structured architectural approach helps:
Address site-specific conditions early
Improve long-term durability and performance
Reduce costly design changes during construction
Ensure the home suits both lifestyle and environment
This leads to a more efficient build process and a better-performing final outcome.
Comprehensive Architectural Projects
Design Context and Planning Considerations
The Town of Claremont administers planning through its Local Planning Scheme No. 3, which incorporates a Heritage List most recently updated in April 2024. Places on the list are assessed against criteria that include construction before 1910, high architectural merit, or a positive contribution to the townscape, and demolition of a listed place requires formal development approval. The Town also maintains Local Planning Policy 123 on the retention of residential character, and any place also included on the state Heritage Council's register must have development applications referred for comment. This layered framework means residential projects in Claremont benefit from an architect who can navigate both the local heritage list and, where relevant, state heritage requirements, while still delivering a home that meets a family's contemporary needs.
Our Design Philosophy
We believe architecture should be responsive, responsible and enduring. Our design process emphasises:
- Site-specific strategies that respond to coastal conditions, climate and orientation.
- A disciplined approach to form, structure and material that considers long-term performance.
- Collaborative and personalised engagement, ensuring your brief guides design decisions.
- A balance of innovation, practical delivery and contextual sensitivity.
This philosophy shapes work that is expressive yet grounded in practicality and place.
Featured WA Projects
Over the years, we have created a range of built works across WA that demonstrate design sensitivity and contextual insight. Examples include:
About Claremont
Claremont sits along the Stirling Highway corridor in Perth's western suburbs, positioned between Cottesloe and Nedlands with Swanbourne to its immediate west. The suburb is defined by two complementary characteristics, a compact and walkable town centre anchored by Claremont Quarter, and some of Perth's most consistently heritage rich residential streets. Federation and inter war character homes make up a significant proportion of the housing stock, with particular concentrations of recognised heritage buildings and streetscapes throughout the suburb. The Town of Claremont has maintained an active heritage conservation program since the early 1990s, including a Local Heritage Survey, a Heritage List incorporated into its Local Planning Scheme, and dedicated design guidelines for both heritage additions and new development in heritage dominant streets. Claremont Railway Station and a number of state registered heritage places, including several churches and the former Coronado Hotel, contribute to the suburb's civic character.
Areas We Serve
From our North Fremantle studio, we work with clients in Mosman Park and throughout Perth's western suburbs, including:
Cottesloe, North Fremantle, Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove, Nedlands, Claremont, Swanbourne, Fremantle, East Fremantle
If your suburb isn’t listed above, contact us — we still service surrounding areas across Western Australia and may be able to assist.
Start Your Claremont Project
If you are planning a residential or commercial architectural project in Claremont, we would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss your brief. Contact our North Fremantle studio to arrange an initial consultation.