Making a townhouse (terrace house, row house) look like you'd want to live there

[WhiteLotusLane]

I've looked at Dr Andy's latest build topic with a lot of interest; renovating old looking shophouses and turning them into very desirable, modern looking apartments.

I can't afford a tall shophouse (especially not a double unit), so I am basically limited to what Thais call a Townhouse, which are usually pretty dark and box-like on the inside. I'm looking at one in a very good location though.

I am wondering what options exist to lessen the negatives of such structures, and make it look better; like a nice town home. (not apartments of course) Specifically how to get light in; it doesn't help that almost all Thai owners extend the front with some sort of roofing, either to completely build up to the gate, or only as a roof for the car. The one below has the most basic of cover structures in front; on the far right there's the full monty.



Also, how far can you go, for a building in the middle? Could you completely re-do the roof into some kind of structure that lets more light in? Could you build something in front that goes even higher, say 3 floors even when the existing townhouse is 2 floors? (There is plenty space in front) It seems you probably can't go higher on the existing foundations, even when switching to a lighter roof..

Anyway, those are some of the thoughts I'm toying with. I'm concerned about the concept of sharing walls (and structural posts) with the units next door.