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Architecture
A Family Affair: Side-by-Side Townhouses for Two Brothers
Two brothers used the prime inner-city suburban site of their grandfather's house to build new adjoining family homes
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking build or renovation each week. Here, Andrew Stapleton, building designer and director at DOOD Studio, reveals how he and his brother optimised the large, inner-city site of their grandfather’s rundown Victorian home in Melbourne to build a pair of contemporary townhouses so their young families could grow up side-by-side.
What was here previously?
It was our grandfather’s house in an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, and the place where my mother grew up. It was a double-fronted, single-storey Victorian home of around 200 square metres with three bedrooms and three bathrooms on a site of around 700 square metres.
It was our grandfather’s house in an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, and the place where my mother grew up. It was a double-fronted, single-storey Victorian home of around 200 square metres with three bedrooms and three bathrooms on a site of around 700 square metres.
The ground-floor plan
Why did you decide to rebuild?
It was in such a dilapidated state that it would not have been cost-effective to rebuild it. Also, we wouldn’t have been able to house two families there.
Considering your own new build? Speak to a local building designer on Houzz about your plans
Why did you decide to rebuild?
It was in such a dilapidated state that it would not have been cost-effective to rebuild it. Also, we wouldn’t have been able to house two families there.
Considering your own new build? Speak to a local building designer on Houzz about your plans
The first-floor plan
What made you want to live side-by-side?
We are both at similar stages in life – we both have young daughters – and we felt it would be great living next door to each other so the cousins could grow up like sisters.
What made you want to live side-by-side?
We are both at similar stages in life – we both have young daughters – and we felt it would be great living next door to each other so the cousins could grow up like sisters.
Did you work on the design together?
I completed all the design work in consultation with my wife, Carolyn. It was a fun, stressful and awesome process and we can’t wait to do it all again.
I completed all the design work in consultation with my wife, Carolyn. It was a fun, stressful and awesome process and we can’t wait to do it all again.
Gained
Given the large size of the block in an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, the previous dwelling was under-utilised on the block and was in an unliveable state.
By demolishing the previous dwelling we were able to construct two four-bedroom homes of modern construction and add off-street parking.
Given the large size of the block in an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, the previous dwelling was under-utilised on the block and was in an unliveable state.
By demolishing the previous dwelling we were able to construct two four-bedroom homes of modern construction and add off-street parking.
What look and feel did you want for the new townhouses?
We wanted to keep the existing character of the neighbourhood and reflect the rhythm and form of the Victorian weatherboard in the new design.
We wanted to keep the existing character of the neighbourhood and reflect the rhythm and form of the Victorian weatherboard in the new design.
What were your must-haves?
Storage, light, good proportions, open-plan and connectivity to the backyard.
Storage, light, good proportions, open-plan and connectivity to the backyard.
What was your budget?
Around $1.4 million for the two townhouses.
Where did most of it go?
On the timber facade and windows.
Around $1.4 million for the two townhouses.
Where did most of it go?
On the timber facade and windows.
How did you create privacy?
The facade incorporates windows behind the floating timber facade. This provides privacy as well as passive surveillance of the street. It’s a nice design detail that offers light, views and privacy.
The facade incorporates windows behind the floating timber facade. This provides privacy as well as passive surveillance of the street. It’s a nice design detail that offers light, views and privacy.
A custom-designed desk in the living/office area on the ground floor provides plenty of space to stretch out for those working from home
What challenges did you have to work around?
The site is in a protected heritage area so town planning was a challenge. But the quality of the design and the story of our family won over council and the neighbours.
The site is in a protected heritage area so town planning was a challenge. But the quality of the design and the story of our family won over council and the neighbours.
Why do you think the house works so well now?
Access to natural light at different times of the day was considered, as well as making the townhouses feel much bigger and grander than a typical townhouse.
The home is always filled with light and is warm and inviting.
Access to natural light at different times of the day was considered, as well as making the townhouses feel much bigger and grander than a typical townhouse.
The home is always filled with light and is warm and inviting.
Natural materials such as timber feature prominently in the home’s design, adding an earthy touch
What are the defining features of this townhouse?
What are the defining features of this townhouse?
- A floating timber facade.
- Double-height raked entry with a floating steel stair.
- Front study with a custom-designed desk.
- A flush threshold between the main living space and the outdoor area, integrating the design within its surrounds.
A distinctively shaped picture window frames treetop views
A pitched ceiling in the bedroom adds to the sense of space
Key design aspects
Interior materials palette
Key design aspects
Interior materials palette
- Woodcut Pale Oak engineered timber floors.
- Two-pack polyurethane kitchen cabinetry in Dulux Lexicon Half.
- Benchtop in WK Quantum Quartz Ultra White.
- Island bench in Wetspot Carrara marble.
- Kitchen joinery in Evenex Black Caviar.
- Walk-through wardrobe and ensuite joinery in Polytec Black Wenge.
- Signorino Tile Gallery Grey Terrazzo to master bathroom floor.
- National Tiles Prague White Mosaic tiles to master bathroom walls.
- National Tiles White Matt tiles to ensuite walls.
- Wetspot Carrara marble to ensuite vanity top and splashback.
- Joinery to office in Laminex Oak.
The walk-through wardrobe leading to the master ensuite
Furnishings and furniture
Furnishings and furniture
- Curtains to master bedroom from Maintheme, with sheers made up in Mokum Antipodes Pebble.
- Jardan Harrison bookshelf in American oak to office.
- Sarah Ellison at Life Interiors Alva velvet chair in office.
- Vintage sheepskin rug in office.
- Arthur G Aria leather sofa in living room.
- Jardan Kelly sofa in Lake Velvet (blue) in living room.
- Life Interiors Hunter coffee table in living room.
- Cadrys rug in living room.
- Trit House Wendelbo Slice Rack black console in entry.
- Dwell Kensington Bucket Stools in kitchen.
- Andy Ryan dining table.
- Huset Bentwood dining chairs.
The master ensuite
Fixtures and fittings
Fixtures and fittings
- Escea DF700 gas fireplace to the living room.
- Nobili Flag pull-out mixer tap to the kitchen from Reece.
- Smeg appliances.
- Lights Lights Lights ceiling lights.
- Alex Earl Olid pendant to the dining room.
- Roca Inspira Soft Vessel sink to the ensuite from Reece.
- Scala tapware from Reece.
- Rogerseller Logic tap in brushed nickel to the powder room.
- Flos Glo-Ball wall lights to the powder room.
The downstairs powder room
Paint colours
Paint colours
- Dulux Mount Buller to master bedroom.
- Dulux Monument to wall cladding.
- Dulux Lexicon Half to living room cabinetry.
Exterior palette
- Sculptform timber cladding.
- Colorbond standing seam cladding in Monument steel.
Your turn
Would you enjoy living next door to your sibling? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another inspiring new build? Don’t miss this story: Houzz Tour: A House on a Roundabout Made for Ageing in Place
Would you enjoy living next door to your sibling? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another inspiring new build? Don’t miss this story: Houzz Tour: A House on a Roundabout Made for Ageing in Place
Answers by Andrew Stapleton, building designer and director at DOOD Studio
Who lives here: A couple and their toddler daughter live in the townhouse shown here on the left
Location: Flemington, Victoria
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms in each townhouse: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Size of each townhouse: Approximately 300 square metres
Building and interior: Dood Studio
Builder: APC Build
Stylist: Bea & Co assisted by Studio George