This medium-density housing project, comprising 28 diverse terrace houses and walk-up apartments, significantly expands the typological range of housing in White Gum Valley. By doing so, it allows new residents, particularly those in smaller households, to enjoy the established amenities of the suburb. The design of the project works meticulously on multiple levels to provide ample amenities for residents while integrating seamlessly into its surroundings.

The project is thoughtfully designed to respond to the local neighborhood character while ensuring optimized solar access in every dwelling. It also places a strong emphasis on deep soil planting and adjacent landscaping, ensuring that the development remains green and inviting. The development consists of two rows of well-lit, well-ventilated north-facing homes, offering a balance between diversity in unit size and type and cohesion across the entire site.

The design takes a “landscape first” approach, with generous setbacks for each dwelling to accommodate deep soil gardens and large trees. High permeability across the site enables effective rainwater retention, further enhancing the environmental sustainability of the development. This careful planning has resulted in 60% open space across the site, contributing positively to the local urban tree canopy and improving biodiversity by prioritizing non-human habitats. This landscape-driven approach has also played a crucial role in gaining community acceptance for this denser housing typology.

Overall, this project is a testament to how medium-density housing can be thoughtfully integrated into a suburban setting, enhancing both the built and natural environment while fostering a strong sense of community.

Photography by Rob Frith-Acorn Photography