Contemporary Yet Familiar – Henry Street Townhouses by Maria Danos Architecture

As an insertion within an established and socially engaged neighbourhood, Henry Street Townhouses offer a respectful and inclusive modern solution to increased density. Through an embrace of contextual cues, Maria Danos Architecture propose a visually open and inviting vernacular, that sits appropriately within its familiar urban setting.

In amongst the heritage homes of inner Melbourne, Henry Street Townhouses sit deceptively concealed behind their pitched roof silhouette. As a nod to the surrounding homes and the existing architectural rhythm they attribute to the streetscape, the insertion aims to sit unobtrusively and fittingly amongst its established context. The dual level homes are cleverly planned to sleeve within the shell of one of their neighbours from the exterior, while internally the feeling captures a contemporary and modern spirit and charm. Through a focus on modesty and an intuitive understanding of the area, Maria Danos Architecture proposes a series of homes that are both relevant to the present and responsive to the past.

The overall form is carved into to allow natural light deep into the home, both from the outer edges and from above through skylights.

Built by Larik Constructions, together with landscaping by MUD Office, Henry Street Townhouses make use of an underutilised allotment and offer a viable argument for increased density. Through a considered and modest lens, the planning of the two townhouses allows for key crossovers between built form and landscape, encouraging a permeation, while still maintaining privacy. The natural elements create a softening affect along the boundaries, while also matching the neighbour’s setbacks and formality of their presentation to the street.

The focus on the homes is in the considered and crafted approach to ensuring its engagement with its surrounds felt natural. In the eclectic locale, ensuring a continued sense of inclusion was important. Through a visual openness upon approach, the homes present as welcoming additions to the street, while the setbacks and articulation of the façade are an offering to belong. A palette of both natural and smooth materials creates textural diversity and encourages the generation of interesting shadows throughout the day. Internally, a similar muted palette is enriched through an emphasis on quality and details.

A palette of both natural and smooth materials creates textural diversity and encourages the generation of interesting shadows throughout the day.

By breaking down the home into a playful collection of parts, Henry Street Townhouses come together as a considered pair, in which Maria Danos Architecture has captured the area’s past narrative and reinterpreted it through a modern iteration.