The Missing Middle Design Competition
Olivia van Dijk Architecture awarded runner up in the terrace house category
NSW Department of Planning and Environment
Project Location: Tyrrell St, Newcastle, NSW

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment recently conducted the Missing Middle Design Competition, calling upon architects and building designers to showcase their visions for the future of medium density housing in NSW. 

The concept design proposed 10 terraces located on Tyrrell St, The Hill.  Each lot would contain a 3 bedroom, double aspect home with the living spaces focused around a central courtyard.  The central courtyard would allow natural light to penetrate deep into the dwelling during winter, encourage cross ventilation and extend the living spaces.  A network of ramps connects the living spaces on the ground level, creating a clear path of circulation from the front boundary line to the car parking/ bike storage/ flexible studio space.  These ramps would enable the ground floor of the dwelling and site to be enjoyed by a range of users with varying abilities and needs.

The living spaces were located on the northern side of each dwelling in order to receive the most access to northern light and to encourage direct engagement with the streetscape, rather than shying away from it.  Reminiscent of the traditional front porch, inhabitants would be able to sit and watch the world go by and be able to easy interact with neighbours.

Each dwelling would have a roof top garden, giving the inhabitants of this south sloping site the opportunity to maintain successful gardens with a high level of solar access