Cottage design in Melbourne maximises light and style

This cottage design and renovation transforms a once-dark inner Melbourne cottage into a light, airy, highly livable space - thanks to architect Michael Ellis.

This renovation of a worker's cottage in inner Melbourne has completely transformed the previously dark and poky dwelling. While the front two rooms of the original house have been retained, the rest of the house is of a starkly contemporary and innovative design.

Melbourne cottage owner Jan had envisaged her remodelled home as one with large living areas and lots of natural light. "We wanted a contemporary and low-maintenance city abode that would be immaculate and uncluttered to walk into," she says.

Architect Michael Ellis was called in on the project, and sat down with Jan and her husband to brainstorm ideas. He returned to them with a design concept that met with their approval, and they spent some time fine-tuning the details.

Unfortunately, the initial cottage design didn't meet with council approval. "The council has a 'green wedge' policy that would have encouraged the provision of a dimensionally square space to the rear boundary and for the full width of the site," says Michael. "This would have completely ignored more sound design principles."

With some gentle persuasion by Michael, the council allowed the project to go ahead, more than fulfilling the owners' expectations. A great sense of space has been created with the clever blurring of interior and exterior boundaries - the main living space, replete with bifold doors and an inspired window design, flows into a compact side courtyard.

The highlight windows over the kitchen allow northern light into the rear of the house, and louvres increase ventilation. Michael reveals that the kitchen design is one of the best his company has achieved in such a small space. "Efficiency in planning and use of modern appliances and accessories make the kitchen a practical space that can adequately cater for empty nesters or entertaining," he says.

With hindsight, Michael says he would have liked to incorporate hydronic heating into the cottage plan, but Jan doesn't seem overly concerned about this. "I feel we really achieved what we set out to do," she says. "I love walking into the house and I cannot leave without turning back with a little smile to admire what is a very lovely space."

Michael Ellis, a Melbourne architect

What were you trying to achieve with your design of this dwelling?

I wanted to maximise the amount of natural light that was able to enter the rear of the house, which is south facing. I also wanted to open up the side of the house and create a greater perception of space by blurring the boundaries of interior and exterior.

What were some of the challenges you encountered during the design process?

The main difficulty was achieving planning consent from the responsible authority. We overcame this issue through gentle persuasion and steadfastness about not altering the concept developed and approved by the client.

Which part of the design do you think works particularly well?

We believe that the kitchen design is the best we have achieved in such a small space. Efficiency in planning is essential in cottage interior design, and resourceful use of modern appliances and accessories make the kitchen a practical space that can adequately cater for empty nesters or for entertaining.

Why did you choose to take on this project?

To date, we have completed over 20 renovations of this type; that is, a worker's cottage renovation where the start point is the retention of the two front rooms. Yet not one has even been remotely the same with regard to orientation, siting, rear access, neighbourhood character, relationship of the site to its neighbours, etc.

Jan, the Homeowner

What was your vision for this house?

We wanted to introduce light into a rather dark cottage design layout and to create more living space. We wanted a contemporary and low-maintenance city abode that would be immaculate and uncluttered to walk into.

Did you have much input into the design?

We had an initial brainstorming session with Michael, where we said what we wanted and how we imagined it could be achieved. He then went off and drew a conceptual plan that we liked, and it went from there. We had several sessions with Michael to nut out details and there were lots of emails back and forward.

Which aspects of the new house do you love, and why?

The generous open living space; it has great natural light due to the extensive use of glass (including bifolding doors), and the brilliant window design which extends out to achieve more space. We love the paving in the courtyard, where terrazzo pavers alternate with scoria. We also love the kitchen design, colours and materials.

Is there anything you would change about the process if you were to go through it again?

We were very happy with the design process, but if I did it again I would like to have better access to the site to be able to monitor progress.