The design of Shipley Street, South Yarra was sensitive from a number of angles. One challenge consisted of an oak tree and it’s roots, which had grown down one side of the site and needed to be preserved. Another challenge was perceived issues of building bulk relative to neighbouring concerns and overlooking concerns to do with the apartments to the east. The value of the land determined that the design needed to maximise the coverage of the site and to respond to the needs of the two owners. The design required a large palette of materials and textures, including the limestone front walls, which formed large planter boxes, setback from the footpath enabling a considerable human scale and interaction. The setback at the street level was built into the ground substantially, becoming an area where functions of the front townhouse could be tucked away.