Melbourne – Moving to the suburbs has long been the only realistic option for young families searching for a place with more space. But now, Terrace House, a new low-cost and ethical development by Austin Maynard Architects, is looking to change that.
Located on a narrow strip of land in Brunswick, Melbourne, the site is a six-storey apartment building with 20 flats and three retail spaces on the ground floor. It brings qualities not usually found in urban locations, such as high ceilings and outdoor space, to affordable inner-city housing. All apartments have a private terrace, while the interiors make extremely efficient use of space. Aspects of the block’s design reference local historic architecture.
‘Terrace House fills a much-needed gap in the housing market,’ says the studio. ‘Notably more affordable than similarly sized, unrenovated homes in the area. Large enough for families, but still with the shared resourcing and community that apartment living can bring.’ With its ethical design and community-led approach, Terrace House is an example of Equilibrium Cities in action.
Strategic opportunity
How can you help bring the benefits of suburban living to the inner city and vice versa?