Rethinking Multi-Residential Design
As cities grow and communities evolve, the demand for housing becomes increasingly complex. As architects we are challenged not just to design homes that respond to a variety of social, economic, and cultural needs. From high-rise apartments in dense urban centres to low-rise townhouses in suburban streets, from affordable housing to social housing, and from specialised retirement living to flexible family homes. Each typology carries its own set of design considerations and opportunities.
As architects, in responding to this variety of housing needs we think beyond individual units and consider the broader urban context. A well-designed housing project can foster social connection, reduce isolation, and contribute to a resilient, inclusive community. The materials chosen, the orientation of buildings, and the way spaces are shared all shape how residents experience their home.
High-Rise Apartments
High-rise apartments provide an efficient solution for growing cities, enabling more people to live close to work, transport, and services. For architects, the challenge is to ensure that density does not compromise liveability. Thoughtful design can create a sense of community through shared amenities, green spaces, and natural light while maintaining privacy and comfort for residents.
Townhouses
Townhouses offer a middle ground between apartments and detached homes, often appealing to families and households seeking space, outdoor areas, and connection to the street. Designing townhouses requires careful attention to orientation, solar access, and privacy, as well as integrating landscaping and shared spaces that encourage social interaction.
Affordable and Social Housing
Affordable and social housing demand a sensitive, people-focused approach. Architects must balance cost efficiency with quality, ensuring that every home supports dignity, safety, and community well-being. This can include designing flexible layouts that adapt to different accessibility needs, various household sizes, incorporating communal spaces, and creating buildings that blend seamlessly into existing neighbourhoods rather than feeling institutional.
Aged-Care and Senior Living
Aged care and senior living accommodation should serve as a sanctuary, thoughtfully designed to cater to the diverse needs of its residents and the broader community. It should foster a sense of home, where people care for one another, and can be part of their community. These spaces should be designed with adaptability and flexibility in mind, ensuring that residents can lead rich, fulfilling lives as they age and their care needs evolve.
Rawlinson Street
Case Study - High-Rise Apartments
High-rise apartments are pivotal in accommodating growing urban populations. They offer efficient land use, proximity to amenities, and the potential for stunning vistas. However, designing these structures requires a balance between density and liveability. Rawlinson Street exemplifies this balance. Situated in Murrarie, Brisbane, the challenge was to design high density housing without overpowering the low density surrounding. Voids are carved from the form to the street, ensuring that the building simultaneously provides daylight deep within the floor plan and breaks down the scale of its elevation. The building steps down to the rear of the site, reducing overshadowing and the bulk of the building as it addresses its residential neighbours
Bangalow Townhouses
Case Study - Townhouses
Bangalow Townhouses is a development that thoughtfully responds to its unique context. Situated in the heart of Bangalow, NSW, the project draws inspiration from the region’s rich history and natural surroundings. The design incorporates elements that reflect the area’s character, creating a sense of place that resonates with residents and visitors alike.
The townhouses are designed to blend seamlessly into the existing streetscape, respecting the scale and rhythm of the surrounding architecture. Materials and forms are carefully selected to complement the local vernacular, ensuring that the development enhances rather than disrupts the community fabric.
Holberton Street
Case Study - Social Housing
Holberton Street in Zillmere has been designed as new public housing for small families. The project is carefully aligned with the Queensland Government’s Social Housing Design Guideline, ensuring that is delivers not only functionality but also comfort, adaptability and long-term community benefit.
Headland Terraces
Case Study - Aged Care and Senior Living
Aged care and senior living require a design approach that balances independence, community, and support. At Headland Terraces, we explored how architecture can enhance quality of life for retirees while responding sensitively to its coastal setting. The project provides independent living apartments designed with accessibility, safety, and comfort in mind, while also fostering social connection through shared spaces and landscaped terraces. By integrating natural light, cross-ventilation, and generous balconies, the design supports both physical wellbeing and a sense of belonging, demonstrating how senior living environments can be uplifting, dignified, and deeply connected to place.