By cleverly utilising natural falls on site, vehicular accommodation is hidden beneath this dual occupancy development, enabling the dwellings to fully engage with the street and take advantage of beautifully framed views.
Set within a suburban Melbourne context, this proposal for a dual occupancy development is part of a phenomenon of small scale urban intensification. Through projects such as this we can see how larger suburban sites can be harnessed to increase population densities and drive positive outcomes for local economy, better public transport, and a more connected community. All this without major transformation of urban form and working from within our suburban network rather than extending it outwards.
Design Principles
01 // Centre the Dwelling , Maximise Setbacks
Setbacks are maximised on all sides to give as much space as possible to the neighbouring dwellings.
02 // Vehicular Access - Below and to the side
Garages are placed one level below the street and accessed from the side of the dwelling rather than the front. This dramatically diminishes the presence of vehicular accommodation, and enables the dwellings to fully engage with the street.
03 // Bi-directional Aspect
The dwellings have a primary axis running front to back with an emphasis on visual connection to the street and visual outlook to the treed landscape of a natural reserve to the west. Visual aspect to the side boundaries is via smaller, more controlled openings, diminishing outlook to adjacent private open space.
04 // At Grade Access and Adaptable Living
Given the 3m fall across the site, providing flexible outcomes for different potential occupant mixes is critical. The entry level provides at grade access to primary living spaces, and bedrooms, facilities and potential home office space together with external access via a verandah and balcony. A second living space, additional bedrooms and bathroom are provided on the lower level with direct connection to the rear yard.
05 // Live - work Flexibility
The dwellings are planned to enable the front portion of the house to be used as an office with dedicated entry off a verandah.
06 // Tapered Roof Form
The upper level has been compressed at each end and raised toward the centre to produce a sleek pitched roof plane set asymmetrically to the plan. With the ceiling following the roof plane, lofted central living space is compressed at each end, providing powerfully framed views and enabling the dwelling to present a lower profile to the street and rear.
