The owner of Coventry Street South Melbourne envisioned a house where every day was like living in a luxury hotel. A stunningly contemporary 3-level design by Metaxas Architects embraces this vision while maximizing the tiny 117sqm corner site. A cantilevered second floor floats above a contrasting glazed-brick plinth that anchors the building to the ground. The light-filled top level is setback to capture views to the city from inside and out. An adjoining office/warehouse structure features zinc cladding angled back to soften its visual presence. The building presented complex design, structural and spatial issues, demanding great attention to detail and uncompromising craftsmanship. A truly collaborative venture between architect, client, and builder that produced delightful results and many accolades. Photos by Tom Ross