The design of the exterior borrows from the characterful façades along Sydney Road as well as the solid Mediterranean history of Brunswick and its neighbouring suburbs, yet it is confidently contemporary. The architects have reinterpreted the heavy masonry arches typical to the area in the light metal mesh with coloured outdoor blinds. Not only does this contribute to the project’s slightly playful identity, but it ensures maximum access to natural light from within. It also acts as a framework for vegetation and greenery to grow upon, softening the street’s form and providing lush surroundings for residents.
This fossil-fuel-free building fills a much-needed gap in the housing market for family homes that offer the sense of community and shared resources of apartment-style living. Difficulties in finding and securing cost-effective yet liveable homes in the inner suburbs are forcing many first-time buyers into the outer suburbs. Terrace House aims to provide its residents with access to economically and socially sustainable housing located in a desirable, bustling and connected pocket of Melbourne.