Row House by Luigi Rosselli Architects
Row House is an inspiring single family house located in Australia, designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects.
About Row House
Reviving the Terraced House
Planners in Sydney are reevaluating terraced, or row houses, as a popular choice for residential buildings. They believe these homes could make housing more affordable by subdividing standard quarter-acre blocks (about 1,011 m² or 10,890 sq ft) into narrow lots for adjoining two to three-story dwellings.
Maximizing Small Spaces
A terrace in Woollahra shows that tight spaces can still accommodate a home with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a guest flat, a garage, and a combined living, dining, and kitchen area. Additionally, the house includes a study, dressing room, laundry, balcony, lightwells, and two inviting courtyards. The limited space prompted architects to adopt smart and effective planning strategies.
The concept of “Raumplan,” developed by Adolf Loos, guided the design. It features a Tetris-like interlocking of rooms within the confines of strict walls and municipal limits.
Innovative Level Design
The house integrates split levels to navigate the sloping site and reduce stair length. The front houses three compacted stories, while the rear hosts two taller stories with a living room and a lightwell.
Raised above the street, the entrance courtyard boasts a mature bougainvillea and a balconet, creating a sunny northern terrace perfect for enjoying a midwinter Campari & Soda.
Outdoor Living and Entertainment
A second courtyard, nestled between the main house and the studio/garage, becomes a family gathering spot in good weather. Here, children play, and adults enjoy the olive tree’s bounty, barbecue, and an outdoor wood-burning fireplace’s warmth.
Design Elements in Focus
Designing for a film director, the architects emphasized meticulous planning and compelling visuals. The staircase features a unique fish scale brass screen, and a powder room is cleverly fitted under the stairs, offering more space than a typical aircraft restroom despite its smaller size. The dining seat, inspired by the Michelin Man and Irish designer Eileen Gray, adds a distinctive touch to the interior.
Photography by Justin Alexander
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- by Matt Watts
