Conversion and new roof terrace, Stewarts Grove, Kensington, London SW3

The small terraced house in a former stable building in London’s fashionable Kensington was organised upside- down in our opinion. Removing all the internal walls and some floors including the roof offered the chance to reorganise the spaces. The living space which was formerly on the darker ground level was moved upstairs and has a completely open-plan arrangement with a stair to the roof terrace. The lightweight metal stair clad with solid oak treads rises into a rooflight that opens at the touch of button. Oak flooring and new furniture are used throughout the house giving a consistent finish. The newly accessible roof terrace is not obscured or cluttered by a stair enclosure and maintains the clean line of the parapet along the elevation.

Client: private

Budget: £100k

Status: complete 2004