Sitting on a 430sqm corner lot this ca 1910 heritage listed limestone cottage was restored and adapted to incorporate a 2 storey extension to the cottage, creating a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom dwelling. At the rear of the property with secondary street frontage an existing brick shed was adapted to include a 2nd storey addition to accommodate a 1 bedroom ancillary dwelling, plus conversion of the brick shed into a studio space. A fundamental aspect of the design incorporates what we call the “Urban Room”, an adaptable outdoor/indoor living space that relates to the street to encourage neighbourly interaction. In the case of the front dwelling the front courtyard was enhanced, plus the 2nd storey addition was separated from the heritage cottage with a courtyard and upper floor deck, which is open to the secondary street (Pearse St). The ancillary dwelling also has a covered outdoor living space which relates to the street but can be semi enclosed with drop-down blinds. The studio at the ground level has an outdoor space with fire pit, again very close to the street, which encourages neighbour get-togethers. In addition to the technical information that is provided in the link, such as highly efficient Kommerling 5 chamber UPVC frames with low-E argon filled double glazed units, a heat recovery unit as an alternative to air-conditioning, and highly insulated prefabricated wall, floor and roof panels, we adopted the design philosophies ingrained in our educational and experience background, in the overall project site analysis. This included principals such as heritage preservation, capturing long range views, cross flow ventilation, passive solar benefits, acoustic attenuation, and social interaction in the form of the “Urban Room”. Builders iSmart were instrumental in bringing this key project to fruition, using their innovative construction methods.