When a couple dreamed of having their parents live closer — but not too close — they didn’t imagine the answer would be tucked into their own backyard. Tan Architecture developed a clever design that transformed their modest Melbourne backyard into a modern, energy-efficient two-storey home (colloquially know in Australia as a ‘granny flat’) that is perfectly tailored for multi-generational living.
The brief was simple but, by necessity, constrained: create a compact home for the parents that felt private, comfortable, and connected to the main home, without compromising on natural light, space, or style – all within 69 square metres.
With such a small footprint to work with, every centimetre had to earn its keep. The kitchen, dining, and living areas were combined into one generous, light-filled zone, flowing straight out to the garden via large, north-facing sliding doors. These doors didn’t just bring in sunlight — they blurred the line between indoors and out, making the home feel much bigger than it actually is.
Sustainability Features
- Small footprint
- Infill housing
- Solar power
- Passive solar design
- Cross ventilation
Upstairs, space was added by cantilevering over the living area below. This smart move not only created more room for the upper level, but also formed a protective eave — shielding the windows from harsh summer sun and rain. Smart storage was tucked in everywhere, including a hidden workbench beside the entry, helping the home stay clutter-free and feeling calm.
Another tricky part of the puzzle was privacy. While the family wanted to live close together, they didn’t want to be on top of each other. Local rules meant the new house couldn’t peek into neighbours’ backyards either. The solution came via a clever internal layout that gives each upstairs room its own clear, openable window, with no need for frosted or obscure glass, providing light, views, and fresh air all around, without compromising privacy.
The final piece of the design challenge was visual bulk. No one wanted the granny flat to feel like a big box plonked in the backyard. The designers tackled this by sloping the roof upwards from the front to the rear. From the street, the granny flat appears low and discreet, but step inside and it opens up with generous ceiling heights upstairs. Bonus: the roof’s gentle slope is perfect for solar panels, boosting the home’s energy performance.
A soft green touch was added with a roof garden tucked into the side setback — not only adding privacy and shade, but also offering a lovely view from the original house.
The result is a modest but mighty little house that feels anything but cramped. It’s private, sun-filled, and thoughtfully connected to the original home and garden. And best of all, it lets three generations live together, each with their own space to breathe.
