In the seminal architecture book "A Pattern Language," the authors posit a new geometry for row houses, in which, by fronting the houses on pedestrian paths instead of vehicular roads, the impetus to minimize street frontage (which leads to the familiar narrow profile with daylight only at the small ends) is removed.

This design allows a configuration in which row houses join on their short faces, giving each house ample daylight and ventilation.

While the opportunity to make this notion a reality has yet to appear, the concept has sufficient merit for me to post some of my ideas for such a house here, to encourage others to consider the possibility.