Designing two townhouses on a typical quarter-acre block presents a unique challenge: each dwelling must feel spacious, private, and distinct—while together reading as a cohesive whole within the suburban streetscape. This project balances both by staggering the rooflines and setting the first floors back from the boundaries to reduce overshadowing and enhance light access throughout the day.
Each townhouse is tailored for modern living, with a downstairs master suite, two separate living zones, and a bright, open-plan kitchen. Full-height stacker doors open onto private gardens, blurring the line between indoors and out, while skylights and highlight windows bring sunlight deep into the interiors. Ample storage, low-maintenance materials, and secure access make them ideal for downsizers or families with older children.
Externally, a refined palette of metal cladding and aluminium battens conceals services and creates clean, contemporary lines. Internally, warm textures, curated finishes, and subtle material contrasts give each space its own personality, proving that compact living can still feel generous, elegant, and uniquely crafted.
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Client Testimonial:
"We followed Anthony Chan's architectural career for 7 years prior to engaging him as our architect three years ago. From an architectural perspective we had been impressed with the other similar type products that he had undertaken for clients.
The decision as to which architectural firm one chooses is an important one.
For us it was not just based on a perceived creative ability, but finding a firm that we could trust and that would respect and help us achieve our wishes. After three years working hand in glove with Anthony and his team they have certainly ticked all those boxes.
We found that over the three years we have not just benefitted from Chan's creative expertise, but his considerable commercial experience and astute judgement. All of which has at various time been important to us with our dual townhouse development.
Chan has mustered together a hand picked team. We have found great confidence in working with Rick Meachem. An accomplished architect with considerable expertise. A tireless professional.
Chan Architecture have enabled us to create two contemporary townhouses with a distinct WOW factor. Chan from the outset was intent upon helping us create something special with a distinct contemporary character. Having concluded the project, this has materialised as we frequently experience cars stopping outside our townhouses in awe at their design and appeal.
A feature of working with Chan architecture is that they listened.
Furthermore they afforded us scope to include what we wanted in our new home.
We have been in our home for four weeks and it is a dream come true thanks to Chan Architecture."
- Jenny & Charles Kneale