A sustainable architectural masterpiece in Melbourne's inner north

This home in Melbourne’s inner north proves that a small space doesn’t have to sacrifice livability, style or environmental impact.

Tucked into a former car park, Northcote House is redefining small-scale living.

The home sits on a mere 82m2 with a 4.6m frontage, but makes the most of its modest dimensions through a clever layout and striking design.

“It doesn't feel compact,” says David Leggett, principal architect at LLDS, the Melbourne architecture firm behind the home.

“It feels very open. It feels very spacious."

Northcote House sits across three storeys, comprising a snug/library and two bedrooms on the ground floor, an open-plan kitchen and lounge on the first floor, and a lush garden and deck at the top.

Sitting across three storeys, this home is a visual masterpiece. Picture: Eugene Hyland

---

It’s all connected via a sweeping sculptural staircase that winds through the home to create a central void.

Above the stairwell are 13 skylights that deliver ample natural light into every corner of the house.

"The staircase descends into the snug, the heart of the actual home, where you get to experience the volume of the entire house [and] the skylights bringing the light down into the snug,” Mr Leggett adds.

A cosy nook under the stairs provides a clever use of space. Picture: Eugene Hyland

---

To amplify the sense of grandeur, the design is complemented by dramatic organic curves, unexpected details and a mix of materials that are at once raw and refined – like exposed plywood, textured concrete and steel.

All in all, Northcote House is wholly unconventional yet deeply functional.

"This house is not your traditional kind of house,” Mr Leggett says.

The home is equally impressive when it comes to sustainability, with impactful features that defy its small size.

Plywood and all other custom components were manufactured within five kilometres of the site. Picture: Eugene Hyland

---

Mr Leggett and his team used advanced technologies like computer numerically controlled (CNC) manufacturing and robotics during construction, which made the building process more efficient.

They also chose highly durable materials that could act as both the structure and the finish, reducing the need for additional coatings.

A prime example is the extensive use of plywood across the staircase, balustrades, roof beams and deck.

Remarkably, the plywood and all other custom components were manufactured within five kilometres of the site to minimise the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

A wood fire and clever insulation through the materials used curb the reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Picture: Eugene Hyland

---

Beyond their structural role, the materials used in the home provide insulation to curb reliance on artificial heating and cooling.

"This house is highly insulated and extremely airtight,” Mr Leggett says.

"The exposed concrete structural walls act as thermal mass to regulate the temperatures. Outside could get up to 40-plus degrees, while inside, the temperature rarely gets above 23 to 24 degrees.”

The rooftop garden acts as an additional thermal blanket, helping to maintain internal comfort.

It’s also irrigated through stormwater collection and contains native vegetation to integrate with the local environment.

Soak up the sun on the deck. Picture: Eugene Hyland

---

Thanks to its stunning design and eco-friendly features, Northcote House has won a host of awards in both categories.

But, Mr Leggett sees the fusion of style and sustainability as a given, not a bonus.

"As an architect, it should be within the scope of the architect's responsibility to design in a sustainable manner,” he says.

“[This means] using materials in a responsible way, minimising waste on-site and minimising the impact on the urban environment.”

*This post was originally published on https://www.realestate.com.au/advice/a-sustainable-architectural-masterpiece-in-melbournes-inner-north/?campaignType=external&campaignChannel=edm&campaignSource=braze&campaignName=content&campaignPlacement=a6&campaignContent=wnl