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Melbourne Houzz: A Narrow Terrace Makes the Most of Every Inch
A 5.2-metre-wide terrace went from cramped and awkward to space-savvy and serene thanks to an architect found on Houzz
Dark, narrow and cramped, this two-bedroom Victorian terrace in Carlton North, Victoria, was delivering neither the space nor the lifestyle its owners envisaged. After living here for eight years, in 2018 they decided to renovate, enlisting the help of architect Greg Pitts, director at Urban Creative Studio, whose work they saw on Houzz. Pitts helped the owners turn their terrace into a cosy, light-filled home with plenty of space where they could come together and also escape for those quiet moments. Read on to find out how he did it.
The new ground-floor plan.
The owners wanted a functional, contemporary and light-filled home with an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space and a bathroom and laundry on the ground floor.
They also sought an extra bedroom and bathroom, and a quiet space where they could work from home.
Is this the year you renovate? Chat to a local architect on Houzz about what you’d like to do
The owners wanted a functional, contemporary and light-filled home with an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space and a bathroom and laundry on the ground floor.
They also sought an extra bedroom and bathroom, and a quiet space where they could work from home.
Is this the year you renovate? Chat to a local architect on Houzz about what you’d like to do
The new first-floor plan.
The terrace had heritage restrictions, so Pitts retained the two rooms at the front of the house (which are currently used as the children’s bedrooms) and was able to gut the rest.
He then designed a new two-level extension, with an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space, family bathroom and laundry on the ground floor, and a main suite with an ensuite, balcony and study on the first floor.
The terrace had heritage restrictions, so Pitts retained the two rooms at the front of the house (which are currently used as the children’s bedrooms) and was able to gut the rest.
He then designed a new two-level extension, with an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space, family bathroom and laundry on the ground floor, and a main suite with an ensuite, balcony and study on the first floor.
A new, extruded upper extension floats above the ground floor. It opens at each end, taking in city views to the south from the new study and roof terrace, and overlooks the courtyard below from the new main bedroom.
The eastern and western flanks are wrapped in white-metal cladding and extend past both ends of the extension to frame the views and provide solar control and privacy from the neighbours.
A planter box filled with native wildflowers below the bedroom windows prevents a downward outlook to the neighbours, while still allowing the owners to fully open the windows and bring in fresh air.
The eastern and western flanks are wrapped in white-metal cladding and extend past both ends of the extension to frame the views and provide solar control and privacy from the neighbours.
A planter box filled with native wildflowers below the bedroom windows prevents a downward outlook to the neighbours, while still allowing the owners to fully open the windows and bring in fresh air.
The kitchen after works. Blue joinery in Surf’n’Dive: Dulux.
The owners wanted a small but functional kitchen that would allow them to cook for the family while staying connected to those in the living area.
“The whole family likes to cook, and while the space is narrow at 1.9 metres wide, they have been pleasantly surprised to find that it’s wide enough for two people to cook at the same time,” says Pitts.
The owners wanted a small but functional kitchen that would allow them to cook for the family while staying connected to those in the living area.
“The whole family likes to cook, and while the space is narrow at 1.9 metres wide, they have been pleasantly surprised to find that it’s wide enough for two people to cook at the same time,” says Pitts.
The kitchen before works.
To make the narrow kitchen feel bigger, Pitts designed an above-bench servery window that opens onto the sunny courtyard.
A full-height joinery wall running the full length of the opposite wall was deliberately designed to be shallow – it’s only as deep as a dinner plate – to preserve as much cooking and prep space as possible in the kitchen, while providing the owners with plenty of storage.
To make the narrow kitchen feel bigger, Pitts designed an above-bench servery window that opens onto the sunny courtyard.
A full-height joinery wall running the full length of the opposite wall was deliberately designed to be shallow – it’s only as deep as a dinner plate – to preserve as much cooking and prep space as possible in the kitchen, while providing the owners with plenty of storage.
The kitchen before works.
In order to optimise space, the joinery has an integrated structural steel column that conceals a step in the side wall, which actually increases its overall depth in some parts.
To keep visual clutter to a minimum in the kitchen, the joinery wall also includes integrated appliances, including a shallower-than-average fridge and an induction cooktop with an integrated wok burner.
In order to optimise space, the joinery has an integrated structural steel column that conceals a step in the side wall, which actually increases its overall depth in some parts.
To keep visual clutter to a minimum in the kitchen, the joinery wall also includes integrated appliances, including a shallower-than-average fridge and an induction cooktop with an integrated wok burner.
Voss engineered timber floor boards: Woodcut; internal walls in Natural White: Dulux.
Pitts kept freestanding furniture in the living/dining space to a minimum and opened up the interior to the courtyard to expand the sense of spaciousness.
He also specified dual-purpose furniture to address the pressing need for more storage. “The built-in bench seat in the dining area doubles as a couch space and contains storage. The air conditioner was integrated within the overhead joinery, which also includes space for a projector to avoid the need for a television or any furniture associated with it,” says Pitts.
Pitts kept freestanding furniture in the living/dining space to a minimum and opened up the interior to the courtyard to expand the sense of spaciousness.
He also specified dual-purpose furniture to address the pressing need for more storage. “The built-in bench seat in the dining area doubles as a couch space and contains storage. The air conditioner was integrated within the overhead joinery, which also includes space for a projector to avoid the need for a television or any furniture associated with it,” says Pitts.
“Most of the family’s daily life is centred around the dining table and bench seat looking out over the courtyard.
“They enjoy the light that comes in through the three external spaces – the balcony with its city views, courtyard and light court – and the fact they can break out to any of these three spaces,” says Pitts.
“They enjoy the light that comes in through the three external spaces – the balcony with its city views, courtyard and light court – and the fact they can break out to any of these three spaces,” says Pitts.
The backyard before works.
When it came to green spaces, Pitts focused on quality over quantity. “First, we created more than one outdoor space – there is the courtyard, light court and a balcony so that people can come together or have some time to themselves,” he says.
When it came to green spaces, Pitts focused on quality over quantity. “First, we created more than one outdoor space – there is the courtyard, light court and a balcony so that people can come together or have some time to themselves,” he says.
The backyard before works.
The rear of the house after works.
“Each outdoor space has its own quality – the courtyard is an extension of the family living space, the light court is a quiet green ‘pocket’, and the balcony has fantastic, expansive city views. Each also provides the ability to seek sun or shade, depending on the weather.
“Importantly, each extends the feeling of space for each of the internal areas adjacent to it, which gives the design a real sense of spaciousness,” says Pitts.
“Each outdoor space has its own quality – the courtyard is an extension of the family living space, the light court is a quiet green ‘pocket’, and the balcony has fantastic, expansive city views. Each also provides the ability to seek sun or shade, depending on the weather.
“Importantly, each extends the feeling of space for each of the internal areas adjacent to it, which gives the design a real sense of spaciousness,” says Pitts.
Pitts looked to optimise space and storage potential upstairs, too. In the first-floor study, he opted for a space-savvy built-in desk rather than a freestanding style. Next to it, a low cupboard functions as the stair balustrade and contains a chute to the laundry, which is tucked under the stairs below. The laundry also contains more storage for the family and a hot-water heater.
Meanwhile, in the light court next to the main living area, an elevated deck conceals a rainwater tank and a pump to flush the toilet.
Passive design and sustainability were important parts of this project, says Pitts, allowing the owners to reduce their energy usage and enjoy a more comfortable interior year-round without the need to flick the switch.
The stairwell acts as a thermal chimney, enabling hot air to escape through openings at each end of the upper storey. The envelope of the home is also well insulated and double-glazed, and white reflective cladding has been used on the exterior. The cantilevered design of the upstairs extension provides shading to the living area below in summer, while letting winter sun in.
The stairwell acts as a thermal chimney, enabling hot air to escape through openings at each end of the upper storey. The envelope of the home is also well insulated and double-glazed, and white reflective cladding has been used on the exterior. The cantilevered design of the upstairs extension provides shading to the living area below in summer, while letting winter sun in.
The study.
When a quiet work-from-home space is required, the owners can escape to the new upstairs study. On hot days or when they’re in need of a little inspiration, they can open up the doors to the balcony and enjoy glorious city views.
When a quiet work-from-home space is required, the owners can escape to the new upstairs study. On hot days or when they’re in need of a little inspiration, they can open up the doors to the balcony and enjoy glorious city views.
The main bedroom.
A cathedral-style ceiling in the new main bedroom maximises light and air flow in the room, while adding a sense of drama to the space.
A cathedral-style ceiling in the new main bedroom maximises light and air flow in the room, while adding a sense of drama to the space.
Evenex Tuscan Oak veneer: Elton Group.
Timber veneer on the built-in wardrobe in the main bedroom brings a sense of warmth and natural appeal.
Timber veneer on the built-in wardrobe in the main bedroom brings a sense of warmth and natural appeal.
The main ensuite. Floor and wall tiles: Signorino Tile Gallery.
Pitts specified a large skylight in the new ensuite to draw in light. “In a bathroom such as this one with a poor outlook, a western orientation and privacy concerns, a skylight gets around these issues and creates a bright and luminous atmosphere,” says Pitts.
Pitts specified a large skylight in the new ensuite to draw in light. “In a bathroom such as this one with a poor outlook, a western orientation and privacy concerns, a skylight gets around these issues and creates a bright and luminous atmosphere,” says Pitts.
The main family bathroom. Benchtops in bathrooms and kitchen: Dekton solid surface in Sirius: Cosentino; floor and wall tiles: Signorino Tile Gallery.
With a palette consisting of deep-grey terrazzo tiles, bright white walls and black taps and window frames, the family bathroom, which is used by the children and guests, has a punchier and more contemporary feel than the gentle greys of the ensuite.
With a palette consisting of deep-grey terrazzo tiles, bright white walls and black taps and window frames, the family bathroom, which is used by the children and guests, has a punchier and more contemporary feel than the gentle greys of the ensuite.
The facade before works (this house is the one behind the red car).
The facade after works.
Heritage restrictions dictated that the two front rooms of the terrace had to be retained and the new first-floor extension should not be visible from eye-level at the street.
Heritage restrictions dictated that the two front rooms of the terrace had to be retained and the new first-floor extension should not be visible from eye-level at the street.
A render of the rear of the house after works.
Your turn
Are you as impressed as we are with this space-smart home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want to see another beautifully renovated urban home? Don’t miss this Melbourne Houzz: Humble at the Front, Party at the Back
Your turn
Are you as impressed as we are with this space-smart home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want to see another beautifully renovated urban home? Don’t miss this Melbourne Houzz: Humble at the Front, Party at the Back
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two children
Location: Carlton North, Victoria
Renovated: 2021
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms plus a study
Budget: AU$500,000 to $600,000
Size of the house: Around 135 square metres
Architect and interior designer: Urban Creative Studio
Builder: LNX Constructions
Joinery: Williams Cabinets
How did Houzz help with this project?
The clients saw our work on Houzz and on our website, and then approached us.