The project was the renewal of a penthouse masionette overlooking the leafy Warwick Square and longer views towards Battersea and Vauxhall. It was a challenging renovation also because it was a listed building, so we had restrictions both for the planning and design aspect. The flat had been created out of a lateral conversion where small doorways (carved through the old chimney flues) linked the main spaces. It felt what had been built was a consequence of the existing building and felt a little maze like. Our key aim was to open up the main living floor and create views from one room to the next. We wanted the top of the stair to be a place of arrival and glass to reveal the function of the key spaces.
We were determined to get rid of the pokey openings between the chimney flues. This lead to us arranging for testing of the remaining flues in other flats to allow creation of a large opening to the living room. This lofty and airy room is now very obvious and announces its presence as you arrive to the top floor.
The client had lots of art and spaces and lighting were designed around specific pieces.
New dormers were created to the living room. This improved view and allowed sunlight to enter from the south.
The staircase was a key space. This was replaced and a large skylight with views of the clouds. The handrail was changed to glass. This flooding of daylight filters down to the lower floor and helps you travel up the stair to the main living spaces.
