A small terrace house in Princes Hill, Melbourne, has been transformed from a cramped student sharehouse into a functional family home through a clever renovation that maximizes every square foot. Anthony Stipanov, who purchased the 115-square-meter house on a 155-square-meter lot over 20 years ago, worked with architects from Molecule Studio to reconfigure the compact space for his partner Charlene Herbert and their three children.
The renovation focused on opening up communal areas to create more space, light, and functionality without extensive demolition. Anja de Spa, director of Molecule Studio, explained their approach to the project. "We approached the design with a light hand, looking for all opportunities to improve the functionality and relationships between spaces, without excessive demolition of the existing walls," she said.
The architects strategically reworked the home's layout by aligning the hallway and kitchen entrance, creating a seamless flow and unobstructed view from the front door to the back of the house. In a key move, they swapped the positions of the bathroom and kitchen, giving the kitchen valuable access to the rear courtyard garden. This simple change dramatically improved the connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Most of the original floor plan remained untouched, preserving the home's period features while keeping renovation costs manageable. "The house has not been cleansed, nor has it lost its essence," de Spa noted, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the property's character.
The design team developed a textured monochrome interior palette that references repeating grid patterns throughout the space. The checkerboard floor tiles pay homage to the previous black and white checkerboard vinyl that was in the original kitchen, while wall tiles and wired safety glass continue the geometric theme. "We were not looking for seamlessness, rather, each element brings character and contribution in the space," de Spa explained.
The new kitchen features light grey laminate joinery that stands as a deliberate insertion in the space, distinct from the white painted brick walls and timber ceiling. The kitchen design includes a European-style laundry and pantry, maximizing storage and functionality in the compact footprint.
The thoughtful renovations have successfully created a home where the young family can more easily connect and thrive through the reimagined living, kitchen, dining, and courtyard spaces. Despite the dramatic improvement in functionality, the house retains its original charm and character – it's still the same compact home the family knows and loves, just with significantly better use of space.
