Blending the elegance of a European-style villa with the essence of Perth’s contemporary way of living, this Peppermint Grove dwelling delivers a sophisticated approach to riverside living. Classical forms and natural materials create a home deeply connected to its Freshwater Bay location.

Built and designed by Giorgi, this expansive residence in Perth was awarded Home of the Year at the 2025 Western Australian Housing Awards.

An arched entry colonnade establishes a strong sense of arrival, guiding visitors into expansive open-plan interiors carefully oriented to capture sweeping views of Freshwater Bay. At the heart of the home, a landscaped northern courtyard with terraced pool, cabana and sheltered entertaining zones extends the living spaces outdoors. This seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle fits perfectly with Western Australia’s climate.

Materiality plays a defining role. High ceilings, raw lime-wash plaster walls, travertine, marble and reclaimed timber introduce warmth and timeless character, while contemporary proportions, steel-framed glazing and refined detailing ensure a crisp, modern finish. Recycled double doors sourced from a Tuscan farmhouse add authenticity to the colonnade and wine cellar, complementing bespoke cabinetry crafted with exceptional precision.

HIA judges praised the project’s ‘exceptional execution in design, detailing and construction’, noting that its calm Tuscan simplicity belies the extraordinary level of craftsmanship required.

HIA WA Executive Director Michael McGowan says the Peppermint Grove home exemplifies the best of WA building excellence. ‘This project demonstrates how thoughtful design, skilled trades and disciplined construction can come together to create a home of enduring quality,’ he notes.

‘Every detail – from the plastered walls to the concealed technology – has been handled with care and precision, resulting in a home that feels effortless but is built on extraordinary workmanship.

HOUSING spoke with Giorgi Director, Danny Giorgi, to find out more about the complexities behind this prestigious residence.

Could you reveal some of the materials and techniques involved during this build?

The home incorporates a refined mix of traditional and contemporary materials, many of which required custom detailing and installation methods. Particular attention was given to the forming of the arches which create a focal point on the front elevation, a combination of custom moulds, traditional texturing and custom render was used to achieve the end result which appear seamless. 

From a construction perspective, the success of the project relied less on novelty and more on mastering execution getting the fundamentals absolutely right at a very high level.

The Giorgi firm provides a unique collaborative approach with your architectural and interior design teams. How does this work?

The project was delivered through Giorgi’s integrated model, with our in-house architectural and interior design teams working closely with construction from concept through to completion. Our architectural team includes four in-house registered architects, which allows us to manage design leadership, technical resolution and delivery under one roof. This is a unique offering within the market and enables complete alignment between design intent and build execution.

This collaborative approach is also reflective of the type of work we choose to undertake, as opposed to operating within a traditional tender environment. We work exclusively on highly considered, bespoke projects where early engagement and collaboration are critical to achieving the desired outcome. This model provides greater certainty for clients, protects design integrity and consistently delivers a refined end result.

Any difficulties during the Peppermint Grove build?

As with many high-end bespoke homes, the level of detailing at Peppermint Grove presented challenges that required careful coordination and problem solving. One key complexity was managing access to the site, with only a single carriage way available for heavy machinery. A considerable amount of planning was involved to manage traffic, shutting the road down and redirecting while excavation and site deliveries were taking place.

Another issue was sequencing specialist trades to ensure finishes were executed exactly as intended, without compromising quality. These challenges reinforced the importance of experience, communication and strong site leadership.

How did you incorporate environmental sustainability?

This was an important consideration, particularly in how the home would perform over its lifetime. The orientation of the residence was fundamental to this. With the home facing east toward the river and the rear to the west, the design maximises morning light and outlook while carefully managing afternoon heat through considered planning, shading and material selection.

The orientation also allows the home to capture prevailing river breezes, encouraging natural cross-ventilation and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling during milder conditions. Passive design principles, material longevity, thermal performance and overall build quality were prioritised to minimise ongoing energy demand and maintenance.

For projects of this calibre, sustainability is less about trend-driven features and more about intelligent design, durability and responsible construction.

Giorgi has been running for 30 years now. How has it changed over the years?

Over the past 30 years, Giorgi has evolved from a highly respected residential builder into a fully integrated design and construction practice operating at the top end of the market. While the fundamentals have never changed –quality, integrity and long-term client relationships – the business has matured significantly in its systems, people and delivery capability.

Over a three-decade period, you also see the evolution of generations. To have the Giorgi name upheld consistently through that time is a testament to the strength of the brand and, importantly, the people who bring it to life day to day. That continuity of values has allowed the business to adapt without losing its identity.

Today, Giorgi combines architecture, interior design and construction under one roof, enabling a level of control over detail, coordination and outcomes that wasn’t possible in the early years. Over time, this capability has also supported our expansion into boutique apartment developments, delivering landmark projects across Perth alongside our bespoke residential work. The evolution has been deliberate, measured and focused on excellence rather than scale.

How many staff members and regular contractors do you have?

We currently employ approximately 30 staff across architecture, interior design, construction, administration and management. In addition, we work with a network of long-term subcontractors and consultants many of whom have partnered with Giorgi for over a decade. That continuity is a major contributor to build quality and consistency.

Why did you decide to apply for the HIA Award?

We applied for the HIA Award as a benchmark exercise rather than for recognition alone. Awards like this provide independent validation of the standards we set internally every day. Importantly, it’s also recognition for our clients, whose commitment, trust and patience over a long term and highly detailed project were instrumental in bringing their vision to life. Seeing them now enjoying the liveability of the home is one of the most rewarding outcomes of the entire process.

Winning last year’s HIA WA Home of the Year has been incredibly rewarding for the broader Giorgi team, and the reaction from clients, consultants, trades and suppliers has been overwhelmingly positive. Many of our trade and supplier partners take great pride in their workmanship, and having their contribution recognised at this level is something we value deeply. It reinforces the strength of collaboration and shared ownership that underpins our best projects.

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First published on 24 Feb 2026.