Maddy Laslett

The contextual terrace house was cut and slid apart to separate programs and create greater access to light by glazing the cuts. Issues of privacy and solar heat gain were addressed by utilizing capillary glazing (Kapilux). Akin to frosted glass in the daylight and similar to a lantern at night, capillary glazing creates a permeability on site that assists in creating a greater sense of community and helps form a network of interdependence between households.  The form takes advantage of the familiar terrace house planning, using long corridors to one side of a five-metre width so that as memory fades, the users’ long term “muscle memory” kicks in. Community through permeability is also explored in the community courtyard where private and shared outdoor space meet and the central dining room transitions into a celebrated area to gather. The four dwellings on site consist of three one-bedroom, one-bathroom dwellings for aging residents and one two-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling for a young couple with a small child or aging relative.

Images:

_{01 Glazed doors and large gates slide open to blur the lines between private and shared spaces when desired and allow for delineated privacy when necessary.}

_{02 The slide increases light access and creates separation between functions which makes each home to feel larger.}

_{03 The cut and slid form is mirrored in the architectural expression of the façade by using planes of brickwork.}

_{04 The community courtyard is sited to the north to maximize sun exposure.}

_{05 When the community gathers, the courtyard activates and is easily accessible by all homes.}

_{06 Siting the two-storey structure to the north retains light access for the neighbour to the south. Overshadowing on site is reduced by minimizing the area of the second storey.}

_{07 Looking back towards Canning Street, activation of the site is visible by faint lantern-like shadows of objects close to the capillary glazing when lit from within.}

_{09 The alcove along the corridor in each dwelling allows for photos and trinkets to be displayed, creating a walk down memory lane.}