Clifton Hill cottage

Redesigned by Julie Firkin Architects and developed to maximise the availa­ble light and space on an oddly shaped block in the inner Melbourne suburban setting of Clifton Hill. The original weatherboard cottage which addresses the street, has been maintained while a new, two-level addition at the rear provides new kitchen and dining areas and a master bedroom suite.

The addition is a departure from the cottage, angular and tapered in form with an overhanging upper level, which allows for the living spaces to be drenched in light in winter while pro­viding shade in summer. Inside, a variety of subtly overlapping spatial volumes is achieved within a relatively simple overall form. The character of the natural materials such as timber and concrete is ex­pressed against white surfaces with occasional mo­ments of strong colour.