St Ives Terraces

St Ives Terraces is a carefully considered low-rise housing development by SN Architects, located on Lynbara Avenue, St Ives, NSW. The project comprises four contemporary terrace dwellings and has been designed in accordance with the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, forming part of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021. Situated on a site zoned LMR (Low and Mid-Rise Housing), the development demonstrates a best-practice response to the NSW Government’s recent planning reforms aimed at increasing housing diversity in well-located suburban areas.

The design has been developed under the new NSW planning reform framework, which encourages the delivery of high-quality low and mid-rise housing within an 800-metre walking distance of nominated town centres and transport hubs. St Ives Terraces directly responds to these objectives by providing a modest increase in density that integrates seamlessly with the existing residential streetscape, while supporting more sustainable and efficient land use.

Architecturally, the project is defined by a strong yet refined street presence. Softly curved balcony forms, articulated façade elements, and a restrained material palette of light-toned masonry, vertical metal screening, and generous glazing create visual depth and rhythm along Lynbara Avenue. The façade composition breaks down the overall building mass, ensuring the scale of the development remains consistent with the surrounding low-rise character of St Ives, while still expressing a contemporary architectural language.

Internally, each terrace has been designed to prioritise liveability, comfort, and environmental performance. The layouts maximise natural daylight and cross-ventilation, with living spaces oriented to capture outlook and connection to private open spaces. Upper-level balconies extend internal living areas outdoors, enhancing residential amenity and providing opportunities for passive surveillance of the street. Garages are integrated at ground level to minimise visual impact, allowing the architecture and landscaping to define the public interface rather than vehicle dominance.

Landscape design plays a key role in softening the built form and reinforcing the leafy character of the area. Deep soil zones, low-maintenance planting, and carefully considered setbacks contribute to a high-quality pedestrian experience and improved streetscape presentation. Together with the architectural design, these elements support the broader goals of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing SEPP 2021, promoting well-designed density that enhances neighbourhood character rather than detracting from it.

St Ives Terraces exemplifies SN Architects’ experience in delivering LMR housing, terrace housing, and low-rise residential developments under contemporary NSW planning controls. The project highlights how the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy can be successfully applied to create attractive, sustainable, and highly liveable homes that respond to growing housing demand, while respecting the established suburban context of Sydney’s North Shore.