Located in one of Melbourne’s first settled areas, this timber cottage started it’s life as a transportable sent from England in the 1850’s. With a strict heritage overlay any work to extend or improve it’s amenity was going to be difficult, as was the case.

After a protracted Planning process through VCAT our design was approved and the original cottage is now extended by an additional level plus roof terrace, which reads as a contemporary interpretation of the heritage form.

Our design intent was to keep the addition very simple in shape so as to maximise the potential of a tight inner city site. We then copied the actual shape and angle of the existing cottage in the new upper floor and clad it in vertical ironbark boards so as to contrast the original weatherboards.

Internally the new addition features a range of natural finishes and materials, the steel ceiling beams are left exposed to add sculptural interest to the living area whilst elsewhere waxed plywood and ceiling beams add further interest. Large sliding glass doors now connect to the small external areas and create a great sense of light and space.

A dramatic external stair leads to a large roof terrace which provides a valuable entertaining area and features amazing distant views. This rear elevation is also clad in the same ironbark as the front but has it’s own character and style.
The new addition now reads as a simple clean backdrop to the fully restored original cottage and despite the difficult start this project has resulted in a roomy and comfortable family home.

Completed: 2015
Location: Collingwood, Melbourne Australia