Terrace House is an exemplar of triple bottom line development, founded on three principals of Environmental, Financial and Social Sustainability. All given equal weight.
Terrace House is an evolution of apartment living. As architect and developer, it offered Austin Maynard Architects a way to create ethical, sustainable, cost-effective housing, while also allowing the community to craft an outcome that suits their needs and wants.
Terrace House is an ethical, beautifully designed, highly sustainable and 100 percent fossil fuel free building in Melbourne. Terrace House takes a revolutionary approach to housing and delivers community-focused, environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable homes that are robust and resilient in the face of the growing climate crisis.
Located on a busy high street, close to all amenities, the building comprises 20, (two- and three-bedroom residences, with 55 bike parks and three commercial spaces. Intended as owner-occupier, Terrace House is the re-imagining of a former inner-city suburban life, where rows of worker’s cottages generated a close community. Shared childminding, communal gardens, neighbourly lending and borrowing – these ideals are the basis of Terrace House. These are not apartments but terrace houses, stacked six storeys high.
The average Australian home measures 233 square metres and is, typically poorly designed, high maintenance and inefficient in terms of space and energy. By contrast, small inner-city apartment buildings seek to maximise returns. Responding to the unique site (a long block measuring 10 metres by 57 metres) the design emulates traditional terrace house plans – homes with big external outlooks, a front veranda, a study, and a shared ‘backyard’ on the roof.
Multi-residential buildings are required to achieve 6 stars, within the Australian building code certification method. Terrace House is 8.1. Internationally equivalent to a 6-star Green Star rating (considered world leading) and ‘Platinum’ LEED and BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ classification.
All the sustainable products used in this build:
- Concrete 50% Cement Replacement (Fly Ash) Recycled aggregate.
- Proportion of recycled water used. Target 50%. Achieved 100%
- 11kw Solar PV System. Embedded network with 100% Green Electricity. Induction cooktops and Electric BBQ
- Low VOC
- Apartment Master Switch
- 90% Construction Waste Recycled
- Dedicated waste room with recycling facilities. Batteries & Electronic waste. Worm Farm.
- 10,000L Rainwater tank used for landscape
- 7,000 Stormwater detention Tank for reuse
- Melbourne Water Storm Rating of 133%
- High efficiency WELS rating for all fixtures
- Brass, locally made fixtures
- Electric Heat Pump for Hot Water
- Water Sensitive Landscaping
- Recycled Clay Red Brick Facade
- FSC Timber
- WSACAP Steel
- R4.0 Wall Insulation
- R6.0 roof insulation
- U = 2.7 glazing
- Energy Recovery Ventilators
- Lightwells with Cool Mist
Products used:
Lighting: Clipsal, Ambience Lighting. Fittings & Fixtures: Sussex. Fisher & Paykel
Sponsored by Electrolux
