Arli Collections Case Study
Northcote Project, Otto 29
| Home Design | Otto 29 |
| Facade | Urban |
| Site | Knockdown Rebuild |
| Completed | September 2023 |
Set within a narrow inner-city block, the Northcote Project is a considered response to both site constraints and the evolving needs of modern family living.
Built using Arli’s Otto 29 design, the home demonstrates how a pre-designed floorplan can be thoughtfully adapted to create a highly personalised outcome — balancing architectural intent with practicality, lifestyle and long-term flexibility.
Designed for a 10-metre frontage, the home maximises space, light and connection throughout, while maintaining a refined material palette and cohesive architectural expression.
Since its completion, the Otto design has evolved into the Inez 29 within Arli’s Elevated Collection, continuing the same narrow-block efficiency while introducing a more refined architectural palette and custom-level detailing.
The images featured in this case study were sourced from a third-party real estate listing and are used for illustrative purposes only.
Client vision
“Our vision was to create a home that felt open, light-filled and deeply connected — a space where our family could come together with ease, while still allowing room to retreat and unwind.
We wanted a home that felt elevated in its design and finishes, but also practical for everyday living, with thoughtful spaces that flowed naturally and made spending time at home feel effortless.”
AMELIA
From the outset, the brief was to create a home that felt elevated in both design and finish, while remaining highly functional for everyday family life.
Our clients had explored both bespoke and volume builders, but neither fully aligned with their vision. What they were seeking was a balance — a home that felt considered and unique, without the complexity and cost typically associated with a fully custom architectural build.
Arli’s pre-designed range provided that foundation.
While the Otto 29 offered a strong starting point, the design was further refined through a collaborative process — demonstrating the flexibility of Arli’s approach. Even within a pre-designed home, the ability to make tailored design changes allowed the home to evolve in response to the client’s priorities, lifestyle and budget.
A strong focus was placed on spatial flow, natural light and material selection. Larger windows were introduced to enhance openness, while internal layouts were carefully considered to create separation between shared and private zones.
At the same time, practical decisions played an equally important role. Hard-wearing finishes such as engineered timber flooring were selected to suit family life, while exterior material choices were simplified to create a timeless and cohesive facade.
The result is a home that feels both refined and highly liveable — designed not only for how it looks, but for how it performs over time.
Designing for a narrow-block
Building on a 10-metre frontage presents a unique set of challenges, particularly in Melbourne’s established suburbs where space is limited but expectations for lifestyle and design remain high.
The Otto 29 responds to these constraints through a carefully considered double-storey layout that maximises internal volume while maintaining strong connections to natural light and outdoor areas.
At the centre of the home, the kitchen, living and dining zone forms a generous open-plan space that extends seamlessly to the outdoors — creating a sense of width and openness despite the narrower footprint. Additional living areas, including a downstairs multi-purpose room and an upstairs retreat, provide flexibility for a growing family, allowing spaces to adapt over time.
Equally important was the integration of outdoor living. Landscaping and the pool were prioritised early in the design process, ensuring the home connected effortlessly to its external environment and supported both everyday living and entertaining.
This approach reflects a broader shift across Melbourne, where narrow block homes and knockdown rebuild projects are increasingly enabling homeowners to remain in established suburbs while creating contemporary, high-performing homes.
Arli’s pre-designed range — including the Otto 29 and now the Inez 29 within the Elevated Collection — has been specifically developed to respond to these site conditions, offering designs that maximise space without compromising on quality or architectural intent.
Any knockdown rebuild can feel like a daunting process, so finding a builder you trust to guide you through it is everything. From the beginning, Arli stood out for their transparency, communication and genuine care throughout the journey.
What we appreciated most was how easy the process felt — from design through to selections and construction, everything was clearly explained and thoughtfully managed. The quality of the finishes and the attention to detail really reflect that level of care.
It’s rare to say you genuinely enjoyed building a home, but that was our experience with Arli. Living in the home now, we can see and feel that quality every day — which is why choosing to build with them again was an easy decision.
AMELIA
From Otto to Elevated
Since the completion of this project, the Otto design has evolved into the Inez 29, now part of Arli’s Elevated Collection.
The Elevated Collection represents a refined layer within Arli Collections — where select home designs have been re-imagined in collaboration with DKO Architecture.
These designs feature evolved floorplans, enhanced spatial moments and elevated interior palettes, offering a custom-level outcome while retaining the efficiency of a pre-designed build.
The Inez 29 continues the legacy of the Otto 29 — offering a solution specifically tailored to narrow blocks, while elevating the overall design outcome.
From Northcote to Alphington
Following the completion of their Northcote home, Amelia and her family have continued their building journey with Arli — recently settling into their second Arli home in Alphington.
Choosing to build again is always the strongest endorsement, reflecting both the quality of the outcome and the experience along the way.
We look forward to sharing their next project soon.
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