Small Footprint Housing

Small Footprint Housing

Pascoe Vale South is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km north of Melbourne’s Central Business District.

Located on a corner site off Bell Street, this innovative project designed by R Architecture demonstrates the potential efficiency of space and affordability captured in four three-storey terraces.

R Architecture crafted this design for an established developer consortium with a predominant residential project portfolio.

The design team took a cue from the diverse range of building typologies and uses at play in the area to develop a sensitive, non-conventional approach to residential design.

Their connective design strategy maximized the benefits of its desirable location in close proximity to the CBD, with public transport and convenient access to commercial and institutional amenities.

These purpose-built dwellings represent a modern take on small footprint terrace housing, which is a historically significant typology in Melbourne.

Confident forms protect the internal amenity of the dwellings within a close-knit built environment and hardy materials draw on the language of its semi-industrial surroundings.

This established an enduring quality from the outset.

Balancing external views with internal privacy, the building engages with its corner location through carefully placed terraces, windows, and featured design elements, with street-facing yards that invite outdoor engagement.

These strategic openings embed the homes in their lively locale, with windows proportioned and positioned to create a balanced facade.

Inside, small yet generous living spaces are positioned to capture the highest possible daylight and cross-flow ventilation, while successfully shielding street noise and movement along Bell Street.

Practical, thoughtfully composed living and kitchen spaces spill out onto terraces which allow for visual extension of these areas while keeping their cozy appeal.

The upper-level floor plate partially covers and frames terraces below, allowing more use of outdoor spaces, and shading the living spaces below from the summer afternoon sun.

The design for these terraces offers peaceful refuge within the hustle-bustle of busy surroundings.

This unusual product typology has a unique response to its location, offering affordable, liveable, design-led homes to occupants, as well as an efficient solution to property developers, while successfully meeting Council requirements for multi-residential living in a developing area.

Project Details

Project Size – 800 m2
Site Area – 680 m2
Completion Date – 2022
Building Levels – 3

Project Team

Architecture and Interior Design

R Architecture

R Architecture is an Australian architecture practice with a passion for bringing great design to suburban contexts.

www.rarchitecture.com.au

Photography

Matt C Photography

Matt is an established Melbourne-based commercial photographer specializing in architecture and interiors.

www.mattc.com.au

Photo Gallery

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Design © 2022 R Architecture. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2022 Matt C Photography. All Rights Reserved.

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