An Urban Sanctuary with Layered Connection to Nature

This well-kept Victorian cottage, nestled on a wide yet shallow inner-city plot, gently slopes toward a rear laneway with urban rooftop views. The rear boundary is framed by a mature tree, adding privacy and offering a unique opportunity to create a secluded garden retreat within the busy cityscape. The client’s brief: transform this investment into a forever home by adding a two-story extension that balances modern comfort with a deep connection to the outdoors.

Our solution was to step the rear development down toward the laneway, integrating a first-level green roof that creates a layered relationship with nature. This green roof not only provides shelter to a protected outdoor living space but also enhances urban biodiversity, creating a sense of sanctuary within the city.

Piercing vertically through the green roof is a deeply articulated screen that serves multiple functions—framing seating areas on the lower level, providing shading from the western sun, and ensuring privacy from neighboring views. The cantilevered roof above echoes this design language, enhancing the visual depth and spatial flow.

Each element serves a multifaceted purpose, maximizing functionality and privacy while bringing a sense of calm and continuity with the natural environment. This small yet impactful project transforms the cottage into a timeless urban oasis that fully embraces form, function, and environmental harmony.