Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung of the Kulin Nation

As a dentist, the project required universal access to align the addition with the raised heritage building. This meant finding a location for a 9m long ramp within a 12mx4.3m zone. What was initially the biggest constraint quickly became the backbone of the project, and we designed the dentist around a ramp.

With the existing heritage dwelling, streetscape, and public realm in mind – we decided to wrap the ramp around the back of the site, pushing the envelope of the new building to the face of the street. The addition peels away from the neighbouring terrace houses, creating a discrete entry using the gap between the two. Built from the same bitumen as the footpath, the ramp signifies a continuation of the public realm as it snakes around the building.

Formally, the project departs from the residential dwelling archetype, taking on a bolder, civic language to signify its commercial use.