A developer engaged MJF Architects to design a dual occupancy development on a subdivision site in Newtown. The brief required the dwellings to integrate sensitively with the character of the surrounding neighbourhood, achieve a minimum of 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom per dwelling, and maximise the return on investment.

Several mature trees on the site were required to be retained, presenting a significant design challenge. Their canopy spread limited the buildable area, particularly for a second storey, requiring careful planning around their root zones and branching. Designing around the trees while still delivering a commercially viable outcome was central to the project.

MJF Architects embraced the trees as a design asset rather than a constraint. Their positions were mapped and integrated directly into the site layout, with the buildings shaped around them to create intimate courtyards that celebrate the existing vegetation. Gaps in the tree canopy were identified and used strategically to insert second-floor elements, increasing floor area without impacting the trees. The facade design draws on the materiality and scale of Newtown’s existing terrace housing — a respectful yet contemporary contribution to the streetscape.

The tree canopy, once seen as a limitation, now defines the character of the development — framing private courtyards that give each dwelling a sense of place and greenery. By threading a second storey through the canopy gaps, MJF Architects achieved a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom configuration for each dwelling, adding significant investment value over the minimum brief.