Curtin Residence: an easy, breezy addition to a Cott bungalow

There’s a few things I like to think I’d at least try and do to break a world record, but swimming for almost 12 hours straight through croc-infested waters definitely ain’t one of them. It’s exactly what Perth-based endurance swimmer Andy Donaldson did last month, paddling 55km through the East Kimberley’s Ord River, which just so happens to be inhabited by an estimated 5,500 crocodiles (one of whom actually did attack a few people over the weekend — don’t worry, they’re all okay).

You can learn more about Andy’s crazy world record swim below, along with some more good news for Perth’s ever-expanding golfing fraternity, check out an easy breezy Cott bungalow, and check our Mother’s Day guide in case you’ve left things to the last minute 😉.

^{Troy Mutton, Editor-In-Chief, Perth is OK!}

An architectural project this close to Cottesloe Beach?

You’d anticipate a fair dash of glitz and glamour – after all, this blue chip suburb doesn’t shy away from a more-is-more approach to residential spending.

(In fact, just the other day we featured a brand new $25 million penthouse that recently hit the market, located right across the road from the iconic beach.)

But here, architects Cast Studio have taken a different approach.

With a client brief they describe as “better, not more”, the extension (built by Burgio Construction) neatly fits behind the existing California bungalow – replacing a former dimly-lit kitchen and living addition from a previous renovation.

Perth-based endurance swimmer Andy Donaldson has broken a world record with a death-defying swim through the East Kimberley’s Ord River – inhabited by an estimated 5,500 crocodiles, or one every 10 metres.

Donaldson completed the 55-kilometre Dam to Dam Challenge on April 28 in 11 hours, 51 minutes – starting at Lake Argyle Dam at 5.38am and crossing the finish line at Lake Argyle Dam at 5.29pm. (A 2.5 metre freshwater croc was also waiting at the start ramp!)

While the time is awaiting ratification, Donaldson is the first male swimmer to complete the swim. His time will also break the world record set by Simone Blaser in 2024 – who was the first person to ever complete the challenge, in an impressive 16 hours and 13 minutes. Simone remains the fastest female swimmer to have completed the route, and was part of Donaldson’s support team.

“I’m over the moon, it was an incredible experience and almost surreal swimming through truly magical lands, the red rocks, the gorges, I reckon better than swimming than Grand Canyon,” said an elated Donaldson.