Case Study: Unlocking Wealth Through Architecture with Smart Design: Dual Townhouse Success in Bayswater

Featured: final photos of the townhouse designed by apt, that sold for 1.1 million. Photo credit: Barry Plant

In today’s evolving Australian residential market, savvy developers understand that architecture is no longer just about aesthetics - it’s a strategic tool for maximising land value, increasing yield, and delivering homes that outperform expectations. Our recently completed dual townhouse project in Bayswater is a compelling example of how smart design can transform a constrained suburban site into a high-performing asset.

Project Overview

· Location: Bayswater, Victoria

· Site Size: 725m²

· Dwelling Sizes: 241m² (26 squares) & 213m² (23 squares)

· Design Challenge: Create two generous, climate-responsive homes on a shared block retaining existing driveway location to protect a street tree.

Designing for Return: How Architecture Drives Value

For developers, architecture has the potential to be a key financial lever. A well-designed home doesn’t just sell faster - it sells for more. In this case, the front dwelling sold for over $1.1 million, a significant achievement for a mid-outer eastern suburb. What made the difference? A deliberate, site-specific design approach that prioritised liveability, spatial efficiency, and passive environmental performance.

Here’s what that architecture looked like in practice

Optimised Orientation

Both homes were carefully positioned to maximise solar access, with living areas and open spaces oriented to the north and west. This enhanced energy efficiency and comfort while reducing long-term running costs -features that townhouse buyers are increasingly educated about and willing to pay for.

Integrated Outdoor Living

Large, glazed openings to living areas directly oriented towards their and private garden spaces were used to create seamless indoor-outdoor connections. This increased the perceived size and value of each home without requiring additional floor area.

Smarter Use of Space

By building to boundaries where permissible, we unlocked extra internal floor area-without sacrificing proportions, flow, or privacy. This strategic footprint optimisation resulted in larger, more functional homes, increasing market appeal and value.

Enhanced Liveability

The layout prioritised natural light, cross-ventilation, and zoning to support modern lifestyles. Buyers often make emotional decisions based on how a space feels like. Notably, well-designed homes feel open, calm, and functional, making them more desirable in a competitive market place.

Architecture as a Blueprint for Building Wealth

For developers and investors, the takeaway is clear: good design can contribute to building value and therefore, wealth.

This project demonstrates that by working with the natural constraints of a site - and leveraging design to overcome them - you can elevate a standard infill development into a high-yield opportunity.

Rather than relying just on expensive finishes or inflated construction costs, this project focused on intelligent planning, efficient design, and long-term liveability. These are the qualities that drive buyer confidence, increase sale price, and reduce time on market.

Ultimately, good architecture can also be an Australian investment multiplier. When approached strategically, it delivers not only a better product, but a stronger return.

Design isn’t a cost - it’s an asset. And in the right hands, it’s one of the most powerful tools a developer can use to grow their portfolio.