Twin Sisters – Residential Design Concept

In response to the circa 1910 adjoining townhouses, JAWS Architects created the ‘Twin Sisters’ design concept, which references not only the past history of these homes but reflects the duality and personality of the two forms and how they might relate. JAWS was invited to design a concept for a major new addition to a pair of Launceston townhouses. In response to the circa 1910 adjoining townhouses, we created the ‘Twin Sisters’ design concept, which references not only the past history of these homes but reflects the duality and personality of the two forms and how they might relate.

The existing house as one sister, elderly, stoic, stately and private. The new veiled pavilion, the other sister, transparent, open, timeless, young and social. The most important space within the proposed design represents the relationship between the two sisters, the internal courtyard. A space which mediates the relationship between the two, that unites and activates all the periphery spaces. Our design idea is a simple one, a communal shared courtyard that allows for views, breezes and connections between and across the spaces. This allows for the two structures (sisters) to be read separately and the materiality and qualities of each to be accentuated. The central courtyard will allow for a safe and easy access large outdoor area off the social spaces of the design, and as your daughters age and grow they can transition to the lower garden areas as each becomes more independent.