Lewisham St Renewal
A tiny 130 m² block in Dulwich Hill, home to a rare untouched cottage in serious disrepair. A young couple with big dreams and a brief that pushed the limits of a compact inner-west site. A complete reimagining that adds space, light and joy while respecting the cottage’s heritage roots.
This tiny home sits on a true postage stamp of a block: just 130 m² in Dulwich Hill, in Sydney’s Inner West. When we first visited, it was one of those increasingly rare cottages that had remained 100% original — fascinating from a social-history point of view, but far from suitable for contemporary living. The layout consisted of small, disconnected rooms, the kitchen was barely functional, and the toilet was still outside. Dark, cramped and badly deteriorated, the home simply wasn’t meeting the needs of modern life.
Our clients, a young couple purchasing their first home, took on the challenge with optimism and an adventurous spirit. They knew the house needed a complete rethink and were excited by the idea of creating something far better than what was there. The original cottage included a single bedroom, a small parlour, a compact kitchen/dining area and outdoor amenities. Their brief was ambitious: significantly expand the home while retaining precious garden space on this exceptionally tight block.
Our design added a new upper level and a considered rear extension, transforming the cottage into a functional and comfortable home without overwhelming the site. The redesign now includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a generous laundry, a combined kitchen/dining/living area and a separate lounge — an impressive amount to fit within such limited space.
Rather than being restricted by heritage conventions, we introduced modern materials to bring warmth, life and practicality to the home. Polished concrete floors, joyful colour and generous timber detailing create a bright, textural palette that respects the past while embracing the future.
The result is a light-filled, intelligently planned home that proves even the smallest sites can offer big possibilities when approached with creativity, care and an open mind.
