Linked Terraces involved the adaptation and reconstruction of a single-story semi-detached house, which had to be significantly enlarged to meet the growing needs of a multi-generation family. Part of the original house was carefully preserved, while a new 3-storey extension was added, which took design cues from the original structure but also introduced a modern sensibility. This house was designed along ecological principles—passive design, natural ventilation, rainwater and energy harvesting—with the aim of achieving net zero energy standards.

When our clients sought to replace their single-storey semi-detached house, we detected a quiet melancholy. Having raised their daughters in the 150m² home, they were emotionally attached to its history yet urgently needed more space for a multi-generational future. We proposed an alternative to total demolition: preserving the front portion to retain both cherished memories and embodied carbon.

We integrated the new programmatic requirements—three additional bedrooms, an office, bathroom and gym—into a three-storey rear extension that draws its cues from the original structure in terms of formal vocabulary and materiality.

The home’s central gesture is a staggered vertical void spanning three levels, drawing light and breezes deep into the plan while fostering visual and aural connections between family gathering spaces. Upper-level terraces are densely planted, filtering daylight and diffusing natural scents to create a garden cascading through the interior.

Informed by environmental analysis, the void facilitates a natural stack effect that reduces cooling loads. Integrated with rainwater harvesting and solar collection, the house achieves net-zero energy performance.

All rooms feature carefully framed views —towards the neighbourhood, the forest beyond, or into other interior spaces—reinforcing a sense of connection. On the ground floor, living, dining, and kitchen spaces open directly to the patio and rear garden, extending daily life into the landscape.

The conserved front portion provided a chromatic and material index for the addition: greens, greys, and whites sampled from original terrazzo recur in cabinetry and finishes. Terrazzo fragments were recast into custom furniture, while salvaged teak doors were restored and paired with new timber to bridge the home’s timelines.

By resisting the default tendency to demolish and build anew, Linked Terraces adopts a philosophy of synthesis, resulting in a home that is both ecologically responsible and deeply personal, while accommodating future needs.