This tiny Victorian miner’s cottage in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Brunswick East has been transformed by much-needed additions and alterations, including a new second-level parents’ retreat and generous new living spaces on the ground floor. Finding a dwelling of this era with no significant changes is extremely rare.
A small courtyard along the north boundary was built to bring in as much natural light as possible to the living spaces. It also allows daylight into the existing bedroom, a new bathroom, and kitchen, and provides great ventilation and thermal comfort for sustainable urban living. A small void to the stairs bathes the seated living area with light from the first-floor glazing at certain times of the day.
The design meets modern expectations of dwelling while celebrating the home’s humble heritage.

Photography: Dave Kulesza Photography