VillaRange by Rachcoff Vella and Studio Nine

Commissioned by Villawood Properties, leading architects Rachcoff Vella and Studio Nine craft VillaRange, a collection of affordable, sustainable and spatially efficient houses.

In property development, buyers with smaller budgets can be accommodated by reducing the amount of land allocated to each home. This approach is championed by Villawood Properties, whose VillaRange maximises narrower sites. “The whole ethos around VillaRange is to try to bring the price point down and focus on smaller allotments,” says Alan Miller, CEO of Villawood Properties. “In terms of energy use, they’re cheaper to run, but we also focus on high-end architecture. It’s really important for us to go out and talk to high-quality architects and engage them in their creativity.” Within the range, the Highlight homes reflect the ethos of Rachcoff Vella while the Contour collection is the work of Studio Nine.

“We hope that the end users become enriched by living in such environments and, within a small allotment, get a taste of what good design can achieve.”

When designing within a minimal-width building, spatial planning is key, particularly around how kitchens are laid out, says Tony Vella, a director at Rachcoff Vella. The Highlight home kitchen, for example, features a long island bench that both emphasises the length of the building and naturally introduces the dining space. From there flows the main living area, where a lowered ceiling fosters an intimate ambience. The central courtyard, positioned adjacent, allows the interiors to be passively heated, cooled and illuminated throughout the day.

To balance the shared spaces with private retreats, two bedrooms are placed on opposite ends of the house, with the communal areas nestled between. “Our interior designers have put together a palette of materials that are warm and inviting, soft to the touch, practical and will stand the test of time,” adds Vella. “We hope that the end- users become enriched by living in such environments and, within a small allotment, get a taste of what good design can achieve.”

“We really wanted to create a sense of quality, amenity and generosity in our designs … [and] focused on generating a really good connection with all of the internal and external spaces.”

The Contour homes respond to site dimensions by accentuating the height of each interior. “We really wanted to create a sense of quality, amenity and generosity in our designs,” says architect Andrew Steele, managing director of Studio Nine. “We focused on generating a really good connection with all of the internal and external spaces: the courtyard is a key feature of this as it allows light and ventilation in every room of the house.”

By softening the boundaries between spatial types, Studio Nine celebrates the sophisticated nature of the VillaRange offering. The addition of a curved brick wall further distinguishes the residential package from a standard collection of budget-friendly homes.

Combining modest allotments with thoughtfully considered design, VillaRange embodies the future of affordable housing. The residences testify to the innovative spirit of Villawood Properties, Rachcoff Vella and Studio Nine, presenting sustainable architecture that remains elevated.

Architecture by Rachcoff Vella and Studio Nine. Developed by Villawood Properties. Produced by The Local Production.

By softening the boundaries between spatial types, Studio Nine celebrates the sophisticated nature of the VillaRange offering.