Description: Terrace Project
Location: O’Connor, ACT
Client: Spacelab/ Lockbridge
Year: 2022
AWARD - RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE - MULTIPLE HOUSING, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS ACT CHAPTER 2025
Situated in the suburb of Braddon on a site previously occupied by two single dwelling blocks, the ‘Industry’ terraces are a fitting stepping stone for the inner north suburb so close to the city, falling between the single dwelling suburbs and multi-level towers – the missing middle.
The objective for the siting of Industry was to create a human scale street frontage, with car access tightly controlled by a central vehicular laneway / forecourt at the lower-level allowing the building’s front façades and courtyards to be directly related to the footpaths. Further historical touchstones included the use of a rear lane access to the site which unlocks density on an otherwise constrained block and provides a pedestrian frontage to three of the terraces which otherwise would have been land locked. The resulting compact multilevel living is an appropriate response for a suburb in flux as it transitions from light industrial / suburban character to a higher density residential use.
The idea behind the ‘Industry’ form and aesthetic was to take the archetypal recognisable form of a house and overlay it with a light industrial warehouse aesthetic. The arrangement of the three level + basement terraces creates a sawtooth roof form to the streetscape and material palette of red brick and varying profiled metal claddings, in response to the historical fabric of the nearby industrial area of Braddon. To further emphasise the form the circulation spines of each terrace was set back from the front and rear facades and dropped roof over to emphasise the form of each terrace and together with the façade material change, creating a level of individuality between tenancies, something that we think is often missed in dense living typologies.
Industry provides a diversity in residential typology with two and three bedroom terraces, a three bedroom single residential unit and three single bed units for short stay accommodation. Internal programming is organised around a stacked staircase with roof top skylights and a double height void providing visual connection between levels and to increase spaciousness and natural light in otherwise narrow tenancies. Structural provision for a future lift installation has been accommodated in each terrace to allow age in place. Rhobust materials, recycled brick, detention tank, electric heating, cooling and cooking equipment, cross flow ventilation and large operable glazing with juliette balconies contribute to sustainability initiatives for the project.
Close collaboration with the structural engineer enabled the compact construction of the narrow terraces. The use of lightweight floor structural systems was utilised to allow compact mechanical and services reticulation between floors, avoiding the use of bulkheads. Working with the landscape designer additional care was taken to soften the garage forecourt by using pocket garden beds and trellises for climbers.