The design draws from the original home’s character, with a new upper level that mirrors the roofline silhouette, gently lifted and tilted to maximise space within strict heritage controls. Clad in galvanised metal – a nod to the original roof – the addition recedes from the street and respects the rhythm of its neighbours.

Internally, warm, low-contrast materials reflect the way old and new fold into each other. The new entry is relocated to the opposite side, enabling the original hallway to be transformed into a generous Master Suite. Living spaces step down with the site’s slope, opening to an east-facing garden and alfresco, while a north-facing skylight brings light deep into the plan.

Upstairs, the angled roofline shapes three compact bedrooms and a tucked-away playspace. Throughout, articulated volumes and double-height voids create spatial richness rarely found in homes of this scale – offering a uniquely tailored response to inner-city family living in a heritage context.

Architecture & Design: Can you describe the initial vision for this project and how it evolved over time?

Pepper & Well: Despite its dilapidated state, our clients saw potential for the house to become a family home. Having never lived in a single-fronted house or dealt with a heritage overlay, they initially imagined a straightforward two-storey addition.

As the project unfolded, they came on the journey with us, discovering how constraints could spark opportunity. What began as a simple vision evolved into a more nuanced design – one that balanced their brief with the character of the site, and ultimately delivered a home that feels unique and deeply resolved.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the design and construction phases, and how did you overcome them?

Putting a four-bedroom house – with such substantial amenity – into a single-fronted footprint under heritage controls was always going to be a significant challenge.

The clients initially envisaged a conventional two-storey form, but that wasn’t viable within the overlay and site conditions. Rather than resisting those limitations, we used them as design tools – reinterpreting the original cottage silhouette and tilting it to create space while minimising impacts on neighbouring properties.

On site, the sloping block and tight access demanded careful staging, and along the boundary we worked closely with the builder to develop a prefabrication strategy, tilting wall panels into place. This ensured a well-sealed envelope against the neighbour’s wall while also maximising internal space in the extension.

How did you ensure that the project met the client’s needs and expectations?

While the clients had to let go of their initial vision for a boxy two-storey addition, we showed how each adjustment opened up new opportunities – ultimately giving them a house that felt richer and more inspiring.

By relocating the entry, we created space for a more generous Master Suite while also unlocking a spacious Living Area complete with a Bar, Walk-in Pantry and full-sized Laundry. Upstairs, the angled roofline allowed us to carve out a dramatic double-height void, so from the moment you step inside, the home feels filled with light and character.

Were there any unique or innovative techniques or materials used in this project?

Innovation here was less about new materials and more about how we reinterpreted and reconfigured the house. Relocating the entry unlocked a more generous Master Suite and a spacious Ground Floor Living Area, while at Level 1 we used our BIM tools to shape the massing so it could accommodate three bedrooms with minimal impact on neighbours’ light and privacy.

We also worked closely with the builder to develop a prefabrication strategy along the boundary – tilting wall panels into place to achieve a well-sealed envelope and maximise space.

How does this project fit into your broader portfolio and design philosophy?

The project reflects our approach of working with what’s intrinsic to a site. Here, the silhouette of the original cottage became the driver – we carried that form into the new extension, lifting and tilting it to suit its context. It’s a good example of how we aim to create work that is both rooted in history and meaningfully contemporary.

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