Port Melbourne House: Innovative Small Lot Development with Courtyard Design

Project Overview

Port Melbourne House represents an innovative approach to small-lot urban development in inner Melbourne. This in-progress project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can transform a challenging 142m² corner site into two well-designed apartments that maximise both actual and perceived space.

The development features a clever organisational strategy with apartments arranged around a central courtyard. This design approach ensures abundant natural light, cross-ventilation, and a sense of spaciousness despite the compact site constraints. The neighbouring cottage, integrated into the overall plan, houses a separate dwelling over three levels, further optimising the site's potential.

Design Challenge

Small-lot development presents unique challenges in urban contexts like Port Melbourne, where space is at a premium but demand for quality housing remains high. This project addresses several critical design questions:

• How to create comfortable, livable apartments on an extremely constrained 142m² corner site

• How to ensure adequate natural light, ventilation, and privacy for each dwelling

• How to incorporate sustainable design principles in a high-density urban context

• How to contribute positively to the surrounding streetscape while maximising internal space

• How to balance private outdoor spaces with the need for density

Space-Maximising Strategy

The design employs several innovative spatial strategies to create comfortable homes within this compact footprint:

• Boundary-Optimised Design: Building to the street boundaries maximises the usable internal space while maintaining a strong urban presence

• Courtyard Organisation: Two apartments are arranged around a central courtyard, providing natural light, cross-ventilation, and views to greenery from interior spaces

• Vertical Development: The neighbouring cottage is reimagined as a three-level dwelling, utilising height to create additional living space

• Rooftop Utilisation: Rooftop gardens extend living areas skyward, creating valuable outdoor spaces without sacrificing density

• Visual Expansion: Careful consideration of sightlines, material transitions, and spatial sequences creates a perceived spaciousness that exceeds the actual dimensions

Sustainable Urban Living

Port Melbourne House embodies principles of sustainable urban development through its thoughtful approach to small-lot design:

• Density with Quality: Creating multiple dwellings on a small urban lot supports sustainable city growth while maintaining liveability

• Passive Design: Courtyards and thoughtful orientation facilitate natural light and ventilation, reducing energy demands

• Urban Greening: Courtyard and rooftop gardens introduce valuable green space in the urban environment, supporting biodiversity and managing heat island effects

• Resource Efficiency: Compact design optimises material usage and reduces operational energy requirements

• Urban Infill: Utilising an existing urban site rather than contributing to suburban sprawl aligns with sustainable development principles

Design Approach: Making Small Spaces Live Large

The Port Melbourne House project exemplifies our approach to small-lot urban development—turning site constraints into design opportunities. Rather than viewing the limited 142m² corner site as a restriction, we've embraced it as a catalyst for innovative spatial thinking.

Our design approach focuses on three key principles:

1. Maximise Usable Space: Every square metre is carefully considered to ensure functionality and flexibility

2. Enhance Perceived Space: Visual connections to courtyards, gardens, and the sky create a sense of expansiveness

3. Balance Density with Liveability: Multiple dwellings are accommodated without compromising quality of life

Urban Context: Responsive Design in Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne presents a unique urban context—a neighbourhood in transition with a rich industrial heritage and growing residential character. This project responds sensitively to its surroundings while contributing to the area's ongoing evolution.

The design acknowledges the neighbourhood's established urban grain while introducing contemporary architectural elements that reflect Port Melbourne's dynamic character. Building to the street boundaries maintains the strong urban edge typical of the area, while the inclusion of green elements through courtyard and rooftop gardens contributes to the greening of this historically industrial precinct.

Project Status & Timeline

Port Melbourne House is currently in progress. The project is advancing through the following phases:

• Design Development: Completed

• Planning Approval: Obtained

• Construction Documentation: In progress

• Builder Selection: Upcoming

• Construction: Scheduled to commence in the near future

We look forward to sharing construction progress and completed photography as this exciting project develops.

Project Specifications

Site Area: 142 m² Location: Port Melbourne, Victoria Project Type: Multi-residential Small Lot Development Number of Dwellings: 2 apartments + 1 three-level dwelling Status: In Progress

Frequently Asked Questions

How can multiple dwellings fit comfortably on a 142m² site?

Successful small-lot development requires thoughtful space planning, creative use of vertical space, and strategic organisation around outdoor areas. In Port Melbourne House, the arrangement of apartments around a central courtyard, utilisation of rooftop gardens, and clever three-level design in the cottage dwelling all contribute to creating comfortable homes despite the compact site.

What makes this development sustainable?

The project incorporates several sustainable design strategies: urban infill rather than greenfield development, passive design for natural light and ventilation, integrated green spaces through courtyards and rooftop gardens, efficient use of space and materials, and reduced resource consumption through compact design.

When will Port Melbourne House be completed?

The project is currently in progress, with construction documentation underway. We will update this page with construction milestones and completion information as the project advances.