Beaconsfield Townhouses

The project faced a complex design challenge, the existing worker’s cottages are contributary to the historic streetscape character, and the client was committed to their preservation. However, any additions risked overwhelming their modest scale, creating an overbearing presence. At the rear, the laneway was underutilized, unsecure, serving only as a low-traffic vehicular accessway and service lane. On a broader scale, the site’s location near Green Square station made it ideal for increased housing density, yet stringent heritage controls in the area continued to slow much-needed residential development despite strong public transport connections and growing demand for housing.

The design solution for Beaconsfield Townhouses introduces a detached built form at the rear of each worker's cottage, completely independent from the existing cottages. This allowed the cottages to be restored without alteration, maintaining the integrity of the heritage streetscape. The new townhouses are strategically positioned along the laneway, with their orientation and entry points facing the rear, introducing an active frontage along the laneway. The lots are effectively subdivided front-to-back, defining clear boundaries between the old and new dwellings. This thoughtful arrangement ensures a harmonious relationship between heritage and contemporary, while making full use of the available site.

The project delivers significant positive impacts to its surrounding locality. The heritage streetscape is preserved through the restoration of the existing worker’s cottages, maintaining their historical integrity. Along the laneway, introduction of new residences has activated the once-neglected space, with passive surveillance significantly reducing incidences of anti-social behaviour and activities. The front-to-back subdivision effectively doubles the number of dwellings on the site, increasing housing density in a well-connected area without compromising the established streetscape or the broader heritage conservation character. This thoughtful approach balances urban growth with heritage protection, demonstrating a sustainable model for sensitive densification in historic contexts.

Beaconsfield Townhouses carefully balances heritage preservation with contemporary living. The defining character of the historic streetscape—single-storey worker’s cottages with articulated verandahs—has been meticulously restored, ensuring the area’s heritage fabric remains intact. The project’s innovative front-to-back configuration amplifies housing flexibility, allowing for different stages of family living. A front and a back dwelling can be consolidated into a single large dwelling, allowing families to ‘grow-in-place’ rather than relocating to metropolitan fringe suburbs as their needs change. For the new townhouses, brick was deliberately selected for its durability and strong contextual relationship with the surrounding laneway structures. This material choice grounds the design within its setting while ensuring long-term resilience. A key architectural feature is the brick screen, an integral part of the façade that provides privacy and internal amenity without introducing additional materials. This refined design solution enhances occupant comfort while maintaining a cohesive visual language across the new dwellings. Through these thoughtful design strategies, the project successfully integrates heritage restoration with flexible, sustainable urban living. It offers a model for densification that respects the existing built environment while providing adaptable housing solutions to meet the changing needs of residents over time.