Illowa Street

Malvern East, VIC

  • Year

    2026

  • Status

    Built

  • Client

    c/o Locale

  • Location

    Malvern East, VIC

  • Collaborators

    M+A Group, Florian Wild

  • Dwellings

    4

  • Sector

    Multi-Residential

  • Discipline

    Architecture, Interiors

  • Photography

    Pablo Veiga

These four architecturally designed townhouses reconsider suburban density through a strong connection to landscape and streetscape. Conceived as vertical homes, the project draws its identity from the mature deciduous plane trees that define Illowa Street. Rather than imposing on the site, the architecture responds to the canopy.

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Illowa Street stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

The exterior of Illowa St is defined by dark, vertically expressed timber cladding, giving the townhouses a refined and tactile presence along the street. The use of Shou Sugi Ban supports durability while allowing the material to register time and weather. Deep window reveals and shadow lines allow the form to sit comfortably within the canopy.

This architectural language continues internally, where tone, texture and detail create cohesion between exterior and interior.  This approach enables a more compact built form while maintaining a clear relationship to light, outlook and the character of the street.

A restrained palette carries from the exterior into the interiors, allowing materials and joinery to take focus. Darker elements ground the spaces, while softer tones provide contrast. Robust materials, including stainless steel, support longevity and clarity of use.

Living spaces are elevated to engage directly with the trees, creating a sense of inhabiting the branches. Dappled light, filtered views and changing foliage become integral to the experience of the homes.

Juliet balconies and carefully positioned openings strengthen this connection while supporting cross ventilation, ensuring environmental performance is embedded within the planning.

Each residence spans three levels and is topped with a rooftop terrace, creating a layered sequence of spaces. The kitchen is positioned at the mid level as the social and functional centre of the home. A stainless steel island bench is set against a darker backdrop, balancing solidity and refinement. Rooftop terraces extend the living areas outward, offering elevated views through the surrounding tree canopy.