Northcote Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Northcote is the land of soy lattes, handicrafts and same-sex couples. Situated at the top of Rucker's Hill, parts of Northcote have commanding views of the Melbourne CBD. Traditionally a working-class neighborhood, the suburb has experienced a significant gentrification over the past few decades.

Northcote's main artery, High Street is now full of trendy cafes and hand-made home-wares, catering to the suburb's population of cashed up hippies.

Architecturally, Northcote has a number of innovative renovations at the rear of Edwardian homes.

Homes from Northcote that have been previously featured on Lunchbox Architect

Polygreen by Bellemo & Cat Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Polygreen: Meet the Family Who Spray Painted Their Entire House

Polygreen is a printed fiberglass box in a neighborhood of red brick warehouses. The contrast is striking - a home covered in vibrant green.

Hill House by Andrew Maynard Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Hill House: They Built a Sunny Living Area Under a Grassy Knoll

Andrew Maynard Architects asked a simple question -- 'Where does the sun come from' -- and designed a Hill House in the backyard of this Melbourne home.

Westgarth House by Kennedy Nolan Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Westgarth House: A Wash of White Unifies Old and New

Westgarth House is a delightfully simple project that addresses our changing family needs by adding a modern, spacious living area to an existing home.

Northcote Residence by Wolveridge Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Northcote Residence: Passive Solar Extension Keeps Its Cool

Even during the heat of summer this passive solar design remained cool and kept the family comfortable. Reclaimed materials integrates with the original.

Amy's House by MAKE Architecture (via Lunchbox Architect)

Amy's House: A Simple Reconfiguration Transforms this Family Home

Rather than gutting and starting again, a simple reconfiguration was all it took to make this home brighter and more comfortable.

Ilma Grove by Andrew Maynard Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Ilma Grove House: A Heritage Home Looks Forward to a Sustainable Future

Ilma Grove is an extension to a heritage home in Northcote, Victoria. The extension provides more space and guarantees a sustainable lifestyle.

Stonewood House by Breathe Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Stonewood House: Wooden 'Bricks' Connect with a Nearby Bluestone Home

Stonewood House is a modern, but sensitive home which sits comfortably with homes of heritage significance.

Reverse Shadow Casting House by Harrison and White Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Reverse Shadow Casting Ensures This House Has a Sunny Garden

Thanks to the home's unusual form, the garden of Reverse Shadow Casting House will always be sunny and bright.

M House by MAKE Architecture (via Lunchbox Architect)

M House's Modest Renovation is Designed to Transform the Original Home

Small but with delight, M House looks at how a modest renovation can make a positive contribution to the way a family live.

Dolls House Northcote by BKK Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

This Home in Northcote is Designed Like an Oversized Doll's House

Like a real doll's house, this addition is two spaces stacked on top of each other and uses furniture and joinery to divide spaces instead of doors and walls.

Northcote House 2 by Pleysier Perkins (via Lunchbox Architect)

A Medical Centre is Reimagined as a Modern Urban Home

Northcote House 2 is a three storey urban residence which utilises the existing shell of its former incarnation as a medical centre.

Northcote Residence by Warc Studio (via Lunchbox Architect)

A Timber Clad Extension Contrasts but Considers its Edwardian Roots

A two-storey rear addition to a classic Edwardian-era home is sympathetic to its origins, but unashamedly modern at the same time.

Around the Corner by Statkus Architecture (via Lunchbox Architect)

Think of the Polar Bears! This Home Updated for Energy Efficiency...

Rising costs and melting ice caps. Why not use your renovation as an opportunity to improve your home's environmental credentials as well.

Garth House by Ola Architecture Studio (via Lunchbox Architect)

An Elegant Black Timber Extension Compliments a 19th Century Home

An elegant and restrained timber addition provides the perfect modern living space for a family of five (plus two energetic dogs).

Herbert Street House by Architect Hewson (via Lunchbox Architect)

Packing a Lot of Functionality Into "Gloriously Small" Extension

At just 36 square metres, this compact yet thoughtful addition creates space for cooking, eating, writing, sitting and more...

Northcote House by Adam Dettrick Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Modern Family Home Designed with Flexibility and Adaptability in Mind

Designing a family home is challenging because the family's needs change as they grow, that's why you have to plan for change.

Northcote Modular by Modscape (via Lunchbox Architect)

A Dramatically Modern Modular Home in Northcote

In contrast to the neighbouring weatherboard houses, this crisp, modern modular home makes a huge statement in this Melbourne street.

Hemp House by Steffen Welsch Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Turns Out Hemp Is Useful for More Than Rope and Yoga Pants

Built from rammed earth, timber and hempcrete, this home is a healthy and environmentally sensitive space for three generations.

Playtime by Guild Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

A Fun-Filled Addition Peaks Above This Californian Bungalow

It's Playtime in this fun-filled extension with secret hatches, a bridge, sloped walls and an aquarium of curious creatures.

Northcote House by Winwood Mckenzie Architecture (via Lunchbox Architect)

Some Simple Modifications Transform This Unrenovated Family Home

Simple, yet intelligent changes, which reference to the home's post-war cream brick heritage create a period drama of a difference.

Beyond House by Ben Callery Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

What to Do When You Outgrow Your House but Love Your Neighbourhood?

Craving more space (and sun) and considering a move? Are you really better off uprooting your family and moving somewhere new?

The Light Box by Finnis Architects & Damon Hills (via Lunchbox Architect)

A Garden Pavilion Nestled in this Backyard Brings the Outdoors In

In a street of Californian Bungalows, it was important to maintain the status quo. It's a whole other story at the rear of this home...

Split End House by Mártires Doyle Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Split End House's Cranking and Splitting Roof Lets Light In

A south-facing backyard can feel like a curse, but an unconventional roofline could come to the rescue to let direct natural light in.

Lean-2 by Ben Callery Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Lean-2 Flips the Typical Lean-to on Its Head to Create a Sunny Home

Lean-tos aren't renowned for their good design, but rethinking the classic design led to a functional and flexible home for this family.

Elm Street House by Gardiner Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Renovating a House to Better Suit Your Lifestyle

The small, pokey and often dark spaces of many older homes don’t provide the space young families need, but you can change that...

Northcote Residence by Melanie Beynon AD (via Lunchbox Architect)

A Timber-rich Addition Creates a Warm, Character-filled Home

A beautiful new living space wrapping around a courtyard deck plus main bedroom suite creates the perfect home for a family of six.