Richmond House: Victorian Cottage Extension on a 4.7m Narrow Site

Project Overview

Richmond House demonstrates our approach to challenging urban constraints, transforming a Victorian cottage on an extremely narrow 4.7m wide site in inner Melbourne. This in-progress project showcases how thoughtful architectural design can unlock additional living space even within the most restrictive site parameters.

The design introduces a new upper floor that sits harmoniously above the existing Victorian cottage, providing two additional bedrooms while respecting the heritage character of the original dwelling. An irregular gable roof form has been carefully crafted to respond to site conditions, minimising building height at both the front and rear to manage overshadowing and visual impact.

Design Challenge

Narrow Victorian cottages present some of the most challenging conditions for contemporary renovations in Melbourne's inner suburbs. The 4.7m width of this Richmond site creates significant spatial constraints that require innovative architectural thinking:

• Extremely limited floor plate width restricting room layouts and circulation

• Stringent heritage considerations for the original Victorian frontage

• Potential overshadowing impacts on neighbouring properties

• Challenges in introducing natural light into a narrow, often deep floor plan

• Complexities of construction access and methodologies on constrained sites

Innovative Design Response

Our approach to this challenging site employs several sophisticated design strategies:

Adaptive Roof Form

The irregular gable roof is a critical element of the design solution. This carefully modulated form responds to multiple constraints:

• Lower profile at the front respects the heritage streetscape and minimises visual impact

• Reduced height at the rear minimises overshadowing of neighbouring outdoor spaces

• Central height allows for comfortable ceiling heights where most needed internally

• The asymmetrical form creates opportunities for strategic highlight windows to capture light

Sensitive Upper Level Addition

The upper floor extension has been designed to:

• Sit discreetly above the original cottage, allowing the Victorian character to remain dominant from the street

• Provide two additional bedrooms without overwhelming the modest original dwelling

• Create a clear visual distinction between heritage and contemporary elements

• Maximise internal space efficiency within the extremely limited 4.7m width

Space Efficiency Principles

Every millimetre counts in a project of this nature. The design incorporates numerous space-optimising techniques:

• Multifunctional spaces that serve several purposes

• Built-in storage solutions integrated within the architecture

• Careful consideration of circulation paths to eliminate wasted space

• Strategic placement of windows to create visual connections that extend perceived space

Urban Context: Richmond's Narrow Cottages

This project responds to the distinctive urban fabric of Richmond—an inner Melbourne suburb characterised by its Victorian-era worker's cottages on narrow allotments. These modest dwellings represent an important layer of Melbourne's architectural heritage but often struggle to meet contemporary living expectations.

Our design acknowledges both the historical significance of these narrow cottages and the legitimate need for sensitive adaptation to support modern family life. By demonstrating how even the most constrained sites can accommodate thoughtful extensions, Richmond House contributes to the ongoing conversation about heritage, density, and liveability in inner Melbourne.

Design Approach: Working with Constraints

Richmond House exemplifies our design philosophy that constraints often drive the most creative architectural solutions. Rather than viewing the narrow 4.7m width as a limitation, we've embraced it as a defining parameter that shapes a unique and site-specific response.

Key principles guiding our approach include:

1. Respect for Heritage: Preserving and celebrating the Victorian cottage elements

2. Form Follows Function: The irregular roof form directly responds to practical considerations

3. Efficiency with Quality: Maximising usable space without compromising spatial quality

4. Contextual Sensitivity: Creating a contemporary addition that complements its historic setting

Project Status & Timeline

Richmond House is currently in progress, with design development completed and construction documentation underway. We look forward to sharing construction progress and completed photography as this exciting project advances through to completion.

Project Specifications

Site Width: 4.7 metres Location: Richmond, Victoria Project Type: Victorian Cottage Extension New Elements: Upper floor addition with two bedrooms Status: In Progress

Space-Maximising Strategies for Narrow Sites

The Richmond House project demonstrates several transferable design principles for narrow site development:

• Modulating roof forms to maximise internal volume where most needed

• Prioritising visual connections to extend perceived space

• Strategic window placement to optimise natural light penetration

• Careful zoning of functions to ensure practical liveability

• Creating clear distinctions between heritage and contemporary elements

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the challenges of extending a house on a 4.7m wide site?

Narrow Victorian cottages present unique challenges including limited floor plate width, restricted circulation options, complexities in introducing natural light to central areas, and construction access difficulties. Additionally, heritage considerations often limit options for the street-facing portions of these dwellings. Our Richmond House design addresses these challenges through a carefully modulated roof form, efficient space planning, and thoughtful integration of old and new elements.

How can you add bedrooms to a narrow Victorian cottage?

In the Richmond House project, we've added two bedrooms by creating a new upper level that sits above the original cottage. This approach preserves the heritage character at street level while unlocking additional living space. The irregular gable roof form has been specifically designed to provide comfortable ceiling heights internally while minimising the visual impact and overshadowing externally.

Is it possible to extend a narrow house without overwhelming the original heritage dwelling?

Absolutely. Our approach focuses on creating a clear visual distinction between old and new, allowing the Victorian elements to remain the dominant character at the street frontage. The upper floor addition is set back and designed with a complementary but distinct architectural expression that respects the original dwelling while meeting contemporary needs.