The Cottage typifies very early Victorian cottages, and posed a major design challenge with small rooms, low ceilings, and no creature comforts. 

The addition of a small rear extension, and infill of the side space with a 2 storey extension provided a substantial amount of extra space to be created. Careful use of space and daylight maximising the rooms facing front and back, and positioning of non-habitable spaces in the middle, generated a highly efficient use of space.