There are many similarities between this project for four detached family dwellings on a tight backlands site in South London and the RIBA award winning Glass & Timber Houses completed by Martin Williams in 2007 *. Despite having a larger foot print and wider access to the street than the more restrictive Glass & Timber House’s site, the issues posed by former industrial/workshop space trapped behind the gardens of Victorian houses on opposing streets is a common urban theme in much of South London. The strategic thinking that led to Glass & Timber Houses allied to the desire to challenge conventional stereotypical approaches to housing in these particular settings led to the development of a typological system that could be applied to each unique condition, but yield a common outcome. Being able to nurture a respectful relationship with the existing Victorian houses, gardens and occupants with the naturally emerging proposals is key. With a linear organisation the only feasible approach for multiple dwellings on such a narrow site, a centrally accessed courtyard house design is the most spatially efficient meaning that each unit can grab inward looking and adjacent light and view opportunities whilst managing overlooking to the neighbouring properties. The impact of the site’s existing condition on neighbouring inhabitants is a crucial factor in balancing new development proposals. With high bounding brick walls to the neighbouring gardens any ground floor impact could be successfully mitigated. At first floor with the adjoining gardens of equal length the first floor accommodation was balanced centrally along the site, and profiled to reduce its impact.