Tour of Woodside Cottage

Discover Woodside Cottage, reimagined by ME Architects—a sensitive transformation of a 1920s home originally built by Henry James Nelson.

This thoughtful renovation restores the charm of the original four-room cottage, removing 1970s additions and re-establishing its architectural integrity.

A new brick-paved courtyard creates a defined urban setting and connects the existing cottage with a contemporary extension—a compact, tower-like structure that responds to the scale of nearby three-storey apartments, while inviting in light and fresh air.

Public spaces are arranged along the western side, creating a sense of flow from the street to the pool at the rear. The original verandah remains, now opening to a sitting and dining room, while the new extension features a kitchen, sunken lounge, and outdoor room. Above, the tower holds a bedroom and a flexible public space with views toward the ocean.

Private rooms—including bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry—are positioned around lush internal courtyards to maximise light, ventilation, and privacy on this overlooked site. Landscaping takes priority throughout, softening the streetscape with a turf driveway and a garage door that blends into the facade.

Entry is reimagined with a striking steel stair, gate, and letterbox. Openings are carefully placed to borrow views of the sky and garden, and throughout, materials and colours reflect the character of the original home while embracing a contemporary way of living.