Here’s how we did it — within the considerable constraints of the heritage-listed Edwardian terrace of 31-37 Clarke St, Abbotsford.

First, the exterior: ours is a richly ornamented row of four single-storey, attached brick houses. So, when planning the two-storey rear extension of No. 35, the new rear (western) facade design was crucial. The solution was to modify and reinstate existing masonry — and select timber doors that follow the language adopted in the adjacent three properties.

Most importantly, the extension is set back from 18.9m — making it invisible from Clarke St. The hipped roof minimises overshadowing of the rear courtyard at No. 33. Both the roof and upper level walls are clad in natural grey zinc, allowing the extension to sit as a continuous, mansard-inspired form.

If the focus for the exterior was to preserve and integrate, the focus for the interior was a fundamental, experiential transformation.

The centrepiece of the interior is, quite literally, nothing at all. Having made the crucial design decision to forgo a second upstairs bedroom, the narrow front corridor opens onto a double height void — allowing skylights above to draw natural light to the living room below.

The sense of openness continues to permeate as one progresses towards the rear. Kitchen, dining and backyard coalesce as one outdoor room — with a flow of colour, materiality and botanical elements informed by borrowed space and biophilic principles.

To ensure the house functions in a 4.8m wide space, the kitchen/ dining space is designed to exact ergonomic dimensions — with the island pronounced the true “hearth”, or centre of the house. Working closely with the joiner and appliance suppliers enabled the discreet integration of kitchen appliances, pantry and storage spaces. Every millimetre is used functionally.

The result is sleek and precise, ensuring the space feels and operates less as a kitchen — and more holistically as intended. With the back doors opened, the living space extends westward by 8m. The decision to forgo a courtyard table maximised the children’s play space, with the one indoor dining table servicing the ‘outdoor’ room.

To maximise sustainability, we employed design features including east and west-facing external sun-shading; double-glazing, insulation and sealing; concrete slab for thermal mass; hydronic heating with electric heat-pump; a 3.3kW solar array consuming the entire north-facing roof; natural ventilation, and ceiling fans. Across a small footprint of 155m2, thermal comfort was achieved with no air-conditioning required.

Beautiful, green — and somehow more spacious within than without — Harry and Viv’s House is a transcendent, future-proofed family home.