Northcote Townhouses | Birthisel Wittingslow Architects, Studio Esteta and Carr

Northcote Townhouses | Birthisel Wittingslow Architects, Studio Esteta and Carr | Photographer: Tom Ross

2026 National Architecture Awards Program

Northcote Townhouses | Birthisel Wittingslow Architects, Studio Esteta and Carr

Traditional Land Owners

The Northcote Townhouses are built on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.

Year
2026
Chapter

Victoria

Category
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Builder
Hartman Construction & Development
Photographer
Tom Ross
Media summary

Reimagining medium-density living, The Northcote Townhouses transform an underutilised inner-suburban site into three sanctuary-like homes that respond sensitively to their established streetscape while offering unexpected scale and amenity.

Three couples—neighbours, friends and industry peers—formed a consortium to redevelop the site into family homes that carefully balance light, privacy and connection. Their collaborative approach made inner-suburban development both viable and enriching, with each member contributing specialist expertise.

Located between Northcote’s bustling High Street and the Mernda train line, with a heritage-listed Greek Orthodox monastery beyond, the generous site originally contained a single Italian brick veneer home. Recognising the opportunity to increase density without compromising amenity, the team undertook a detailed feasibility study to challenge the conventional townhouse model.

Painted recycled brick bases and weatherboard-clad upper levels give the homes a restrained, unassuming presence, allowing the development to integrate seamlessly with the rhythm, scale and character of the surrounding street.

Project Practice Team

Brett Wittingslow, Design Architect
Sarah Birthisel, Director
Sarah Cosentino, Director
Stephen McGarry, Director

Project Consultant and Construction Team

Measure Engineering, Engineer
3Core Technologies, Electrical Consultant
Traffix Group, Traffic Consultant
Ratio, Town Planner

Connect with Birthisel Wittingslow Architects, Studio Esteta and Carr

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