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 elements detailed in the project — 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 — the design embraced principles rooted in our extensive professional experience to date. These included heritage conservation and adaptive re-use, careful site analysis, capturing long-range views, cross-flow ventilation, passive solar benefits, acoustic attenuation, and fostering social interaction through the “Urban Room.” Builders iSmart were instrumental in bringing this key project to fruition using their innovative construction methods.