Designed and built with intent, Little Archer by Urban Habitats and UH Projects sets a new standard for high-quality living in North Adelaide

On a tucked-away street in North Adelaide, Little Archer sets a new benchmark for purpose-built living. The UH Projects development designed and built by Urban Habitats, comprises of two contemporary homes that prioritise proportion and liveability over scale or spectacle.

Little Archer first came across Urban Habitats’ desk not as a development opportunity, but as a homeowner enquiry – an attempt to understand what was possible on a tightly constrained block. “What began as an Urban Habitats client enquiry eventually became a UH Project because we saw something worth doing properly,” says Director and General Manager Josh Semmler.

The site presented a different kind of challenge for the award-winning homebuilder. “When I first stood on Little Archer Street, it felt like one of those rare opportunities that quietly asks more of you,” says Managing Director, Jock Merrigan.

Rather than defining the business, the project provided a new opportunity to push boundaries. “It wasn’t about defining who we are as a business but challenging us,” says Jock. “Challenging how we think, how we collaborate, and how we honour our values through a project that demanded discipline and clarity.”

While the two existing homes were not heritage-listed – a rarity in North Adelaide – the surrounding streetscape came into consideration significantly. Unusually quiet for its central location, with a sense of stillness that directly informed the design approach, the response needed to be measured and respectful. “Little Archer was never about standing out. Our goal was to create two homes that feel like they’ve always belonged on this street. It was about fitting in, quietly and confidently,” says Jock.

Designing within a heritage-rich suburb came with care and responsibility. “You’re adding something new, but you’re also joining a story that’s been unfolding for over a century,” says Senior Architect and Design Manager Sarah Stephen. “We didn’t want to mimic the terrace homes. We wanted to elevate the street through good design, craftsmanship, and proportion.”

Inside, the homes are defined by light and scale and on the compact site, generosity came in the form of precision and clever architectural details. Courtyards, skylights, and carefully considered window placement allow natural light to move softly through the interiors, creating spaces that feel open yet private. Materiality further grounds the homes. “Tactility, warmth and richness are introduced using natural materials like timber, stone benchtops and the courtyard brickwork, which really anchors the airy living spaces,” says Architect, Zelda Gleeson.

Little Archer is defined by how it feels. “Ultimately, we want people to feel calm the moment they step inside,” says Sarah. “Spaces that settle you. Rooms that breathe. A sense of quiet architecture.”

For Urban Habitats and UH Projects, the homes have become a benchmark internally, reinforcing how the teams want to operate when constraints are real, and expectations are high. “Projects like this test your values,” says Jock.“They ask if you really believe in quality, in craft, in doing it properly, even when it would be easier not to.” It reflects a commitment to thoughtful, human-scale homes that sit comfortably within their context and stand up over time. “Little Archer shows what’s possible when you don’t compromise,” says Development Manager, Milly Nott. “If we can achieve this here, imagine what we can do next.”

Urban Habitats
L1/96 King William Road, Goodwood
08 8373 1731
urbanhabitats.com.au
@urbanhabitats_sa

UH Projects
L1/96 King William Road, Goodwood
0450 965 858
uhprojects.com.au
@uhprojects