Salisbury by NTF Architecture-Exploration & embracing challenging design

He Adds, “for Us As Architects, Texture And Colour Became Important Devices – Existing Brickwork Was Bagged And Painted, With The New Fir

Embracing the many site challenges and constraints, Salisbury Townhouses by NTF Architecture sees an exploration of upward extrusion as a means to create and enhance amenity.

Completed in 2019, Salisbury is at its core a renovation project born from a need to add significant amenity to an existing site, without embarking down the traditional multi-residential path. A series of six townhouses dot the property, that previously housed six 50 square metre one-bedroom units, originally constructed in the 1960s. The challenge was to create extended amenity (and floor area) as a priority for the development and refurbishment, but within the existing built footprint to avoid zoning restrictions with planning. Brett Nixon, co-director of NTF Architecture, says, “the site had a ‘bush suburban overlay, which aptly provided a context for the project,” where “the project reuses the existing footprint of the buildings and adds a level, to double the size of each dwelling.” He continues, “each dwelling was reconfigured on the ground floor to provide for living, dining, and kitchen spaces with a connection to the outdoors,” with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a study space located on the upper level.

As An Extension Of The Core Principals Driving The Sensitive Approach To Site, Affordability In Both The Building Process And For The End

Brett Says, “we Saw The Affordability Aspect As A Challenge, Rather Than A Constraint, As These Projects Have Market And Client Expectati

Increasing the 50 square-metre units by extruding upward resulted in six near identical 100 square-metre two-bedroom townhouses on the site.

Salisbury Townhouses By Ntf Architecture Sees An Exploration Of Upward Extrusion As A Means To Create And Enhance Amenity.

Completed in 2019, Salisbury is at its core a renovation project born from a need to add significant amenity to an existing site, without embarking down the traditional multi-residential path.

Embracing The Many Site Challenges And Constraints

Opposing the traditional developers’ approach of a complete demolition and new build, Salisbury was built by Sabaya Constructions on principles of utilising the existing and creating a new identity through materiality. Brett says, “our challenge was to provide an articulated outcome that would sit comfortably in a very suburban context,” where “the resulting built forms consist of predominantly sheer two-storey walls that retain the existing brickwork from the original dwellings.” He adds, “for us as architects, texture and colour became important devices – existing brickwork was bagged and painted, with the new first floor clad with timber, and black windows and screens provide linking elements between the ground and first floor, tying these old and new elements together.”

A Series Of Six Townhouses Dot The Property, That Previously Housed Six 50 Square Metre One Bedroom Units

Salisbury was built on principles of utilising the existing and through materiality, creating a new identity.

The Challenge Was To Create Extended Amenity (and Floor Area) As A Priority For The Development And Refurbishment

As an extension of the core principals driving the sensitive approach to site, affordability in both the building process and for the end purchaser was a key motivation.

Completed In 2019, Salisbury Is At Its Core A Renovation Project Born From A Need To Add Significant Amenity To An Existing Site, Without

As an extension of the core principals driving the sensitive approach to site, affordability in both the building process and for the end purchaser was a key motivation. Based on its location within a middle-ring context, higher density living was not appropriate, and the resulting two-story townhouses are a reflection of this. Brett says, “we saw the affordability aspect as a challenge, rather than a constraint, as these projects have market and client expectations that need to work within financial constraints.” Working closely within the council guidelines ensured dormant amenity was not placed in the buildings where it had no real value. He adds, “we worked closely with the builder to ensure that we maximised value for our client.”

He Continues, “each Dwelling Was Reconfigured On The Ground Floor To Provide For Living, Dining, And Kitchen Spaces With A Connection To

“The planning overlay also prompted a response that council were comfortable with in a very suburban context of brick veneer and pitched roofs,” says Brett.

Opposing The Traditional Developers’ Approach Of A Complete Demolition And New Build, Salisbury Was Built On Principles Of Utilising The

Increasing the existing 50 square-metre units by extruding upward resulted in six near-identical 100 square-metre two-bedroom townhouses on the site. The location and its surrounding context significantly influenced NTF Architecture’s approach. Brett says, “there was a very strong relationship between the built form and the context, the planning overlay also prompted a response that council were comfortable with in a very suburban context of brick veneer and pitched roofs.” He adds, “materials were chosen for their textural qualities, and skillion roofs used (as an example) as part of the project ‘fitting in’ to the neighbourhood context.”

Salisbury Was Built On Principles Of Utilising The Existing And Through Materiality, Creating A New Identity.

Based On Its Location Within A Middle Ring Context, Higher Density Living Was Not Appropriate, And The Resulting Two Story Townhouses Are

Utilising the existing first level of the units as the base for the townhouses has meant a reduction in building material waste, as well as emphasising smaller footprint living.

Working Closely Within The Council Guidelines Ensured Dormant Amenity Was Not Placed In The Buildings Where It Had No Real Value. He Adds

The process of working within such tight constraints meant that integrating sustainable principles had its challenges, compared to working from a cleared site. To help incorporate sustainable principles into the project, Brett says, “given its leafy location, it was important for us that the dwellings have a strong visual connection beyond the site.” Additionally, despite council’s concerns about onsite parking, “the occupants of the townhouses predominantly do not own cars,” he continues. Utilising the existing first level of the units as the base for the townhouses has meant a reduction in building material waste, as well as emphasising smaller footprint living. Mechanisms such as high-performance glazing, floor, wall and ceiling insulation and screening to windows to allow for natural ventilation have all passively added to the townhouses’ non-reliance on external energy sources.

But Within The Existing Built Footprint To Avoid Zoning Restrictions With Planning. Brett Nixon, Co Director Of Ntf Architecture

Texture and colour became important devices.

Says, “the Site Had A ‘bush Suburban Overlay, Which Aptly Provided A Context For The Project,” Where “the Project Reuses The Existing Foo

Coming from a place of what NTF describe as “an honest approach to architecture,” Salisbury is a refreshing take on development. Seeing beyond the potential for the site through to the potential within the existing forms, the 1960s units were able to be given a new lease on life. In doing so, Salisbury Townhouses are contributing to a bigger, and potentially even more important, discussion about affordability in architecture and how it can create a better, more accessible built world.