Model Perimeter Block v Fine-Grained Terrace Housing

The previous post “Compact City” explores Wolfgang Sonne’s contention that the reformed perimeter block was “written out of history” because it did not conform to either of the predominant models championed by anti-street Modernists: proponents of the Ville Radieuse and the Garden Suburb.

Sonne puts a strong case supporting the superiority of the reformed perimeter block over these other 2 models. Eventually ventures a little into the merits of fine-grained terrace housing. He cites Elizabeth Denby as a critic of suburban development and tenement buildings. She came to advocate traditional terraced housing which she saw as giving greater density than stand alone cottages and “a more homely typology” than tenements. The below examples go some way to proving her point.

Figs 1, 2, 3, & 4 show fine-grain lot sizes on narrow streets, close to amenities. They are by no means extreme examples. This typology could be pushed further by the addition of attic dormer windows, thus creating greater liveable floor area and greater density. The length of the lots could be shortened and still provide ample private open space in the location. However, while such measures would go some way to increasing the residential unit yield of these areas, even when amended they would fall short of the yields from the perimeter housing blocks of Sonne. Be that as it may, this shortfall does not seem to prevent them from providing Newtown with sufficient density to allow it to function as a bustling multi-purpose centre.

Fig. 1 Terrace Housing Australia Street, Newtown.Fig. 2 Terrace Facades Australia Street Fig.3 Terrace Lots, St. Mary’s Street, NewtownFig. 4 Terrace Facades, St Mary’s Street, Newtown