The Laneway Loft by Shelley Roberts Architects in inner city Melbourne is a simple yet brilliant exercise in small footprint, big impact living.
‘The main objective was to a create a perfect, self-contained box that would sit perfectly in its urban laneway environment to make the most of the available air and light,’ says architect, Shelley Roberts.
Downstairs sits a kitchen, dining table and lounge nook, and upstairs is a single bedroom and bathroom.
The timber lining keeps the interiors light and bright in summer, and cosy and warm in winter. Externally, the palette reflects the material expression of the original house at the front of the block. These choices all work in synchrony with the surrounding greenery, which infiltrates and envelopes the building from inside and out.
‘The view is extended through the borrowed landscape of the rear properties tree canopy and ivy-covered rear fence,’ says Shelley.
This is elevated by the pitched gabled roof, which gives the upstairs bedroom soaring volumes. Full height glass doors connect the loft to the house at the front of the block, and retractable sliding doors open the living space to the all important laneway beyond.
‘It was envisaged that the laneway would become a communal space with neighbours and friends joining in for parties or informal gatherings,’ says Shelley.
A compact, clever neighbourhood delight – designed with community in mind!
See more projects from Shelley Roberts Architects here.
