2017 ATDA Timber Cladding Winner: ETZ Townhouses

This four townhouse development sits at the end of a quiet residential street in Parkville, bound by extensive native parklands on its northern edge. Taking advantage of this enviable position, the 3-level townhouses were designed to feel natural and secluded, despite their inner-city location. This proximity to nature is reflected in both the formal aspects of the design and the focus on sustainability.

The site’s key natural asset, the neighbouring mature river red gum trees, have been echoed through the architecture both materially and spatially. A ribbon of dark metal cladding wraps the lower portion, referencing the trees’ charcoal bark base. Alternating charred and natural cedar cladding is used on the pitched forms above, over time greying off to blend with the mottled grey character of the gum trees.