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The owners of a small Victorian home in Melbourne were prepared to renovate and extend their tired single-fronted terrace when the house next door came up for sale.

In a lightbulb moment, the family of five decided to buy the other Fitzroy property and see whether it was possible to combine the two terraces into one, long five-bedroom forever home.  

Enlisting the help of award-winning company Maynard Architects, the owners and architects set about trying to create one big house with a precious inner-city back garden.  

Property records show the house next door was bought for $880,000. 

The owners of a small Victorian home in Melbourne were prepared to renovate and extend their tired single-fronted terrace when the house next door came up for sale (the two homes pictured together after being converted to make one property)

In a lightbulb moment, the family of five decided to buy the other property and see whether it was possible to combine the two terraces into one, long five-bedroom forever home (walkway pictured between the two homes)

The owners enlisted the help of award-winning company Maynard Architects, and the architects set about trying to create one big house with a precious inner-city back garden (back garden pictured)

The result is an 'adventurous' property spanning two addresses - and it comes complete with an open-plan living area, spacious garden, five bedrooms and a wide kitchen and dining space.

'This is adventurous stuff. And although the trick is to make it look effortless, this one was a grind; hundreds of hours of work,' architect Andrew Maynard told Domain.

'You start to draw, it doesn't work and you go down a rabbit hole... You back up and start again. You persist until the solution reveals itself.'

The 'adventurous' property now features open-plan living space and a luxurious kitchen and dining area on the ground floor (pictured)

The cleverly-designed roof space means that both the back and front gardens get the sunshine (pictured)

The two terraced homes are connected by a stylish hall and walkway, which leads directly through to a sunlit back garden.

The front door to the property is situated in this walkway, and the lounge, kitchen and dining room are now all on the ground floor, while a spiral staircase leads up to the master bedroom - which boasts a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom.

The unique home also features a two-storey kids-zone, with three bedrooms, a bathroom and a study space.

The two terraced homes are connected by a stylish hall and walkway, which leads directly through to a kitchen, living area and dining space (pictured)

'This is adventurous stuff. And although the trick is to make it look effortless, this one was a grind; hundreds of hours of work,' architect Andrew Maynard said (interior and outside wall pictured)

Maynard Architects designed a very specific triangular-style of roof, which rises and falls to ensure the front and back garden get the sun at different points during the day.  

'It all looks incredibly playful. But the angles are exactly made to not cast shadows to the south,' Andrew said.

'This home will go into my greatest hits album.' 

The family are delighted with the conversion of the two homes (back garden pictured)

The so-called 'RaeRae' home has been designed so that it is stuffed full of surprises on the inside, including a ladder that leads up to hidden storage space and space for the children to play (both pictured)

It's not just the exterior that is special, either.

The so-called 'RaeRae' home has been designed so that it is stuffed full of surprises on the inside, too. 

In the kitchen there's a hidden pantry, appliance storage shelves and food preparation area hidden behind a glass splash back.

Meanwhile, in the study, there is a ladder that leads to extra storage space for the owners and a large water tank has been buried within the garden.

'Every part of the house can be a secluded space, closed off with hidden sliding doors, or opened up to be free flowing,' Andrew said.

'The occupants can be engaged and connected or alone and private. They have both/and, not either/or.'

To find out more about Maynard Architects, please visit their website here.