When architect Jack Chen bought his 1970s one-bedroom walk-up apartment, he saw potential and wanted to turn it into a home for himself.

Ben Callery, a Melbourne-based architect, designed his own sustainable family home around a simple idea, have it more in touch in nature.

On a block measuring only 76m2, it was split in half with a pair of vertical townhouses, which meant they couldn't go 'out', so they went 'up'.

What defines good architecture and ultimately a well-designed home? If there was ever a perfect example it’s One MANI House by Mani Architecture.

5 townhouses were built inside and above an old red brick warehouse, and we have a look at two.