Inner Skinny

Architecture + Development

In the bustling heart of inner Melbourne, our architectural team took on the challenge of an ultra-narrow 3.5-metre wide site. The site’s constrained dimensions meant it was overlooked by other developers, but we had a vision and were able to secure the site at a very low per square metre rate for the highly sought after, high amenity location.

With innovative design, we managed to craft two exceptional three-level townhouses, each defying the constraints of the compact site. A central aspect of our design strategy was the incorporation of internal light courts and strategic split levels. These elements were instrumental in not only maximizing space but also ensuring that the townhouses were bathed in ample natural light, effectively making the residences feel much more expansive than the site width would suggest.

Navigating the planning application process in an area with a rich architectural legacy was another key component of our involvement. We worked meticulously, securing a relatively quick negotiated consent directly from the council, without recourse to VCAT. This achievement was particularly noteworthy given that the achieved floor-to-site ratio was almost 2:1, a remarkable accomplishment in a street predominantly marked by single-storey Victorian-era workers' cottages and two-storey infill developments.

The result is a pair of townhouses that stand as a testament to the power of innovative design to achieve enviable development returns all whilst providing modern, light-filled living spaces and honouring the historic character of their surroundings.