This bespoke mews development in Southsea, Portsmouth was undertaken as a full service for a local developer. The site consisted of a Victorian cottage and a small Victorian commercial building that was originally used as a dairy. The wedge shaped site had been truncated and enclosed by development around it creating a number of challenging spatial arrangements. The client wished to create a unique development that was driven by best use of the site rather than maximum value alone. The statutory requirement to retain the historic buildings was in accordance with the clients wishes. The cottage, which was extensively run down, was remodelled inside to create a large open plan living area with a sheltered conservatory space making best use of the tight boundary condition at the rear. The facade and boundary structure of the dairy building was retained to form the basis of a single house facing the house and a single bedroom maisonette to the rear. The layout of the house was inverted from the traditional norm with the living accommodation based at first floor level with a mezzanine study area and balcony enclosed by the original gable. The bedrooms and bathrooms were located on the ground floor behind the solid base of the existing facade. The fourth house on the site occupies the sharp end of the wedge, with a stepped plan creating areas of external private space as well orientating the spaces to allow for privacy screening. The scheme was highly commended in Portsmouth Society Design Awards.