Sam Teoh Architects

Anyone who has ever lived in the inner suburbs of Sydney or Melbourne knows the perpetual darkness of the terrace house. With walls pressed against the neighbours’, the lack of side windows consigns these houses to a permanent twilight. They become a place of artificial lighting even during the sunniest of middays; of pitch black nights and chilly, sunless mornings. Not only can they be downright depressing, they squander energy with their 24/7 lighting and their tendency to trap both heat and cold, requiring constant artificial temperature control.

And yet, terrace-style housing remains one of the most efficient ways of using precious and increasingly indemand inner-city land. It makes the most of small block sizes, allowing comfortable homes on tiny sites by building right up to the boundaries. It’s an appealing compromise between the high-density, backyard-free lifestyle of apartment blocks and the sprawling, space-hungry designs of suburban freestanding houses. But to take advantage of these positives, we need an architectural approach that can effectively wrestle with the limitations of the form to produce terraces that are light-filled and energy-efficient.

Sam Teoh Architects’ design for The Rise, in Perth’s fashionable inner west, is a thoughtful attempt to confront the limitations of the terrace. The building was limited from the start by restrictions imposed by strict local council guidelines that dictated the standard of external finishes, the pitch of roof on certain elevations, the setbacks, minimum and maximum plot areas and maximum heights. As part of an attempt to encourage efficient use of sought-after land, the block size was particularly small – but thankfully, zero side setbacks were permitted, allowing for a terrace-style building that extended to the side boundaries.

The clients – habituated to the large spaces of country living – requested maximum living spaces despite the small block. To achieve this, the architects created open spaces inside and allowed the building to extend across three storeys, with the living areas on the ground floor, the master bedroom and study on the first, and two bedrooms and a lounge on the second. Overcoming this initial hurdle of space, however, created another problem: with side windows removed and skylighting not possible in any of the main living areas, the old terrace darkness threatened the new house.

Sam Teoh Architects answered this problem by careful arrangements of the internal spaces. Living areas were pushed to the north and south ends of the house, placed beside sweeping floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that allowed light to flood the areas where it was needed most. Service areas, where this extensive natural lighting was less vital, were moved to the centre of the house. Natural light reaches these central areas by roof windows, glass block in slab and voids, which create a porosity and a sense of movement between the various levels of the house.

These solutions brought with them their own benefits. On the ground floor, the stackable glass doors that allow light to penetrate the main living areas can also be opened to transform the space into a lively entertaining area. Opening the living areas in this way, the architects make efficient use of the outside ground area to extend the living spaces, further expanding the building beyond its meager footprint. Similarly, the balconies on the north elevation open gracefully and expansively onto the bedrooms and living areas, creating wonderful series of indoor/outdoor spaces that increase access to both light and space.

Moreover, with generous windows gracing both north and south elevations on all floors, the building is ideally designed for effective cross-ventilation. Operable roof windows in the stairwell enhance natural ventilation by allowing hot air to escape as it rises. In Perth’s famously hot, dry summers, such ventilation is remarkably effective, cooling the air and effacing the distinction between inside and outside.

If this building is a resourceful response to the challenges of space, livability, light and heat, it nonetheless retains its character as a trendy, contemporary inner-city home. With warm, clean finishes and a sophisticated colour palette, the building is arrestingly stylish. Like all good design, it borrows from the best of Australia’s architectural heritage and learns from its mistakes. The result is a stunning, spacious and stylish update of the terrace house: surprisingly light, airy and space-efficient. +

1 The juxtaposition of balcony voids and copper-coloured aluminium panels creates a visually striking layered look on the northern elevation. 2 By minimising the use of walls along the northsouth axis, the design retains the bathroom’s privacy without restricting the flow of light and air through the house. 3 A stylish muted colour palette, natural-look finishes and an elaborate chandelier produce a look that emphasies modern eclecticism. 4 Roof windows and open stairwells create a visually complex space while allowing light to penetrate down into living areas on the floors beneath. 5 The open-plan allows bench space to double as a casual kitchen table, ensuring plenty of room for both quick weekday breakfasts and elaborate cooking events. 6 Voids and sophisticated downlighting provide light to central circulation areas.

PHOTOGRAPHY by Andrew Pritchard