Log In

Have a Tight Block or a Heritage Overlay?

Written by

Eliza Blair Architecture

05 September 2022

 • 

3 min read

banner
From a triangular site with an inconvenient easement to a former milk bar, we’ve overcome the challenges and realised the potential in some unique projects. Let us take a look at your project…

TIGHT BLOCKS AND HERITAGE OVERLAYS

Many inner-city Melbourne homes come with constraints — narrow sites, heritage overlays, difficult orientations, easements or neighbouring properties that limit what can be built. In some cases, projects involve all of these at once.

While these conditions can feel restrictive, they often lead to the most thoughtful and inventive architectural outcomes.

Many inner-city Melbourne homes come with constraints — narrow sites, heritage overlays, difficult orientations, easements or neighbouring properties that limit what can be built. In some cases, projects involve all of these at once.

While these conditions can feel restrictive, they often lead to the most thoughtful and inventive architectural outcomes.

At Eliza Blair Architecture, we specialise in designing homes that respond carefully to complex sites and planning controls. A large part of our role is understanding how to balance council requirements, heritage considerations, natural light, privacy and functionality to unlock the full potential of a property.

Architects are trained to solve problems creatively — not simply add space. On constrained sites, careful planning becomes even more important. Small shifts in layout, courtyard positioning, ceiling heights or glazing can dramatically improve how a home feels and functions.


EBASthMelbsmg0460-v2.jpg

Projects such as Floating Frame House and South Melbourne Terrace demonstrate how thoughtful design can transform compact or highly constrained homes into light-filled, highly functional spaces connected to outdoor living.

These projects carefully balance contemporary family living with the realities of heritage streetscapes, tight urban sites and planning requirements. Rather than treating constraints as limitations, the design process focuses on finding opportunities within them — whether through carefully positioned courtyards, improved circulation, increased natural light or stronger connections between old and new spaces.

Complex sites rarely need standard solutions. With the right architectural approach, constraints can often become the foundation for a more considered, distinctive and enduring home.

EBASthMelbsmg0438.jpg
EBASthMelbsmg0345.jpg

In South Melbourne on another narrow block, we designed a renovation and addition to an old milkbar! The challenge with this project was keeping a sense of the history while still creating a beautifully liveable home for our clients. The owners know what they have is special, so they didn't want the renovation to cover up and whitewash the unique qualities of their home.

Rather than cut down a huge gum tree in the backyard, we made it a feature of the home, allowing it to be experienced from multiple viewing angles, including the bath on the balcony!

All about the tree: this renovation to an old general store in South Melbourne respects the existing tree and the history of the building. Yes, that is an external bathtub that you are looking at on the upper storey! This was a unique idea of the clients who dreamed of a relaxing bath while staring up at the canopy and stars.
EBASthMelbsmg0224.jpg

As you can see, no matter how unique or challenging your project, we'll be able to help you find a solution that makes the most of what you've got. Whether you're dealing with a narrow block, an unusually-shaped site, easements galore or just a unique property that needs a sensitive touch, we can put our design hat on and come up with something that works.