Re-Thinking the Conventional Stacked Townhouse

A more efficient townhouse block typology that improves access, privacy, daylight, parking, and outdoor space within compact suburban housing forms.

Axonometric illustration of a townhouse block organized around a central courtyard, with stacked homes, shared open space, rooftop terraces, and upper-level gallery access.
A townhouse block model that creates a more generous shared courtyard without giving up compact density.

Stacked townhouses are often used to introduce more compact housing in suburban contexts. However, conventional layouts can create trade-offs for residents, especially where parking, access, privacy, and outdoor space are difficult to resolve within a tight block.

The typical 3-storey plus basement stacked townhouse. 

This typology faces challenges such as: 

  • Underground parking located 1.5 storeys below grade, making it more expensive to build.
  • Lower units with reduced daylight, privacy, and outdoor space.
  • Upper-unit entrances that use valuable frontage and floor area at grade.
  • Rooftop terraces that are separated from the main living space by several levels.

The Conventional 4-storey stacked townhouse.

This typology can solve some of the challenges of the 3-storey typology but often creates others:

  • Upper-unit residents pass in front of lower-unit windows and front yards, reducing privacy.
  • Access to the upper units takes up space on multiple levels.
  • Residents must travel up several levels to reach their unit, which can be difficult with strollers, groceries, or mobility needs.

We rethought the conventional stacked townhouse layout to create a more efficient and livable townhouse block. The proposed typology consolidates vertical circulation, improves access to upper units, and reduces the amount of space lost to stairs and corridors.

Re-Thinking the Conventional Stacked Townhouse Typology

Section illustration of a townhouse block showing upper-unit access through an open gallery, with stairs and elevators consolidated at the ends of the building.
Illustrated section of a townhouse block showing upper-unit access through an open gallery, with stairs and elevators consolidated at the ends of the building.

The key shift is the location of the upper-unit entrance. Instead of entering at grade and moving through multiple levels, residents enter the upper unit from the uppermost living level. From there, they can move one level up to the rooftop terrace or one level down to the bedrooms.

This creates several improvements:

  • Upper units have better access to rooftop outdoor space.
  • Stairs and elevators are consolidated at the edges of the block.
  • Less frontage and interior space are lost to access.
    Parking can be located only 0.5 storeys below grade.
  • Upper units can be reached by elevator, making the block friendlier for strollers, groceries, and accessibility needs.
  • Upper-unit residents do not pass directly in front of lower-unit windows or yards.
  • Front yards can be located above the parking structure, improving the relationship between homes and open space.
Axonometric illustration of a townhouse block organized around a central courtyard, with stacked homes, shared open space, rooftop terraces, and upper-level gallery access.
Compact stacked townhouses organized around shared open space and everyday livability.
Rethink Your Next Townhouse
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