Newry Street setting the standard for inner city townhouses

Wulff Projects and architecture firm Fieldwork have teamed up to deliver Newry Street, a boutique collection of 12 contemporary townhouses located in a leafy pocket of Richmond. just off Burnley Street. 

The area is home to an eclectic architectural mix that includes some of the oldest homes in Melbourne, converted warehouses and charming Victorian terraces. Designed by Fieldwork with a focus on natural amenity, these three and four storey walk-up townhouses feature roof terraces and views over the street and city beyond, adding a new architectural layer to the suburb's rich tapestry. 

The design employs a rich material palette of white brick, timber cladding and steel wire mesh screens to support the growth of vegetation.

Newry Street's architecture is inspired by Richmond’s heritage, drawing upon its architectural character and materiality. Redefining the area’s classic late 19th century terrace home, each Newry Street townhouse features bedrooms on the ground and first floor, with living areas on the upper floors that lead to terraces with sweeping views.

The traditional verandah is reimagined as two outdoor areas, with a sheltered terrace and a magnificent rooftop space. From its highly considered context, to its innovative use of form and space, Newry Street has been designed to "capture the essence of Richmond" reimagining its unique character for modern living.

Our aspiration is to create a place where we truly want to live. A building that is respectfulto its heritage context while being a bold and contemporary striking piece of architecture.

- Quino Holland Architect & Director, Fieldwork

Each townhouse has been crafted as a seamless integration of colour and materials, design and functionality. At each entrance, architecturally detailed alcoves reinforce the idea of individual addresses, with climbers and vegetation softening the distinctive brick façades. 

A continuous skin of white brickwork wraps around the Newry Street façade, referencing the area’s industrial heritage and providing a tactile quality to each elevation. This history is further referenced in the use of timber battens at the ground level entrances which will gradually fade to a muted tone over time.

Each townhouse features a large rooftop space, most with unobstructed, vistas over Richmond and panoramic views towards the city to the west. Accessed via a dedicated external stair, this outdoor deck includes a built-in barbecue encouraging residents to utilise the space for entertaining visitors.

On the level below, the balcony offers views of the neighbourhood and providing passive surveillance to the street, with protection from the elements allowing natural ventilation to each townhouse. Large, glazed sliding doors blur the lines between indoor and outdoor and create adaptable and flexible living spaces.

Internally the spaces benefit from access to natural light which streams in from large windows and doors which open to views of Richmond. Metal screens bring an extra layer of depth and articulation to the façade with their angular geometry.The exterior design language continues internally with a considered use of materials to create textured layers and elegant finishes.

Newry Street Townhouses development team

• Developer: Wulff Projects 
• Architect: Fieldwork
• Interior Design: Samantha Eades