Terrace House by Austin Maynard Architects – Sustainable Community Living in Brunswick, Australia

Terrace House by Austin Maynard Architects redefines urban residential design by prioritizing sustainability, community, and resilience. Located on a narrow inner-city block along Sydney Road, Brunswick, this innovative six-storey terrace housing project blends modern design with traditional forms, offering environmentally conscious, socially connected, and cost-effective homes.

This project is a bold response to the growing climate crisis, demonstrating how inner-city housing can be ethical, robust, and long-lasting without compromising on quality or aesthetic appeal.

Project Overview: Sustainable, Efficient, and Socially Engaged

Terrace House comprises 20 residential units, including two and three-bedroom homes, integrated with three commercial spaces at the ground level. Unlike typical apartments, these homes emulate traditional terrace house layouts, with front verandahs, private studies, and shared rooftop gardens, creating a strong sense of community.

Key sustainable design initiatives include:

Fossil-fuel free building operations
Average NatHERS Rating of 8.1 Stars
Efficient use of space relative to freestanding homes
Shared resources such as communal laundry and bike parking
Community-driven design informed by early resident surveys

Architectural Design: Modern Interpretation of Heritage

The street façade of Terrace House draws inspiration from Brunswick’s post-war Mediterranean-Australian architecture, industrial heritage, and Victorian shopfronts.

Key architectural features include:

Recycled brick walls reflecting local material heritage
Tall tubular steel arches as an industrial design reference
Stacked terrace layouts providing homes with natural external outlooks
Generous indoor spaces with open-plan interiors and abundant natural light

The design respects the local context while introducing a playful and contemporary approach, bridging past and present architectural languages.

Community-Focused Living: Engaging Residents from the Start

In 2016, five years before construction, Austin Maynard Architects conducted a survey with potential residents. This early engagement led to:

Formation of a close-knit community even before completion
Inclusion of communal rooftops, shared laundry facilities, and bike parking
Prioritization of car-free living to promote sustainability and social interaction

Terrace House exemplifies how participatory design fosters social cohesion and collective ownership, creating a vibrant, sustainable neighborhood.v

Site and Spatial Planning: Maximizing Views and Natural Light

Located on a thin, elongated block (10m x 57m), Terrace House overcomes typical inner-city constraints. Rather than inward-facing apartments, homes are designed to face outward, providing:

Uninterrupted views of the surrounding cityscape
Private outdoor spaces including verandahs and rooftop shared gardens
Natural cross-ventilation and daylighting for all units

This approach ensures that residents experience freedom, privacy, and connection to the outdoors, despite the compact urban footprint.

Sustainability and Environmental Design

Terrace House exemplifies Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) through:

Fossil-fuel free operations to reduce environmental impact
Cost-effective, low-maintenance solutions for long-term affordability
Shared resources promoting energy and water efficiency
Incorporation of green materials like recycled bricks and steel

The project sets a benchmark for resilient, climate-conscious urban living, combining environmental responsibility with architectural elegance.

Terrace House as a Model for the Future

Terrace House is more than a residential project—it is a reimagining of urban living, balancing privacy, community, heritage, and sustainability. By integrating modern terrace layouts, social engagement, and green design principles, Austin Maynard Architects demonstrate how inner-city housing can be efficient, beautiful, and socially responsible.