Grammar Terraces is located in the mature and tranquil suburb of Epsom, Auckland, offering a restrained response to contemporary urban living. Conceived as more than a collection of dwellings, the project explores how density can be shaped into a comfortable and human-scaled environment.

The architectural language is defined by a dialogue between light grey brickwork and vertically articulated metal cladding. The contrast between the solidity of brick and the precision of metal creates subtle depth and texture as the façades respond to changing daylight. This material strategy acknowledges the character of the surrounding residential context while reinterpreting proportion and order through a contemporary lens. Deep-set windows, framed openings, and selectively recessed balconies are composed with restraint, allowing the buildings to remain calm and legible.

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The development comprises 27 terraced homes, including six work–live units positioned along the primary street frontage. These flexible ground-floor spaces can accommodate cafés, galleries, or small studios, softening the boundary between living and working while strengthening the relationship between architecture and street. Between the building rows, a shared pedestrian lane opens into a sunlit communal courtyard. Timber planters, light-toned paving, and low planting create a gentle walking experience—dense without feeling compressed, private yet shared.

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Interior spaces continue the project’s restrained aesthetic. Light timber flooring, soft finishes, and generous sliding doors bring daylight deep into the homes, while timber decks extend living spaces into private gardens. Kitchens are designed as warm, functional centres of daily life, combining walnut cabinetry, pale quartz benchtops, and integrated lighting.

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At its core, Grammar Terraces prioritises access to light, ventilation, and privacy. Through careful control of spacing, façade articulation, and landscape layers, the project demonstrates how density can feel calm, liveable, and enduring.