Flat 6

A ground-floor flat in a converted Victorian school. The project is all about light – how it moves through the space and falls on soft, natural materials. Large windows create an even glow that makes the whole flat feel calm. In summer, shadows from the surrounding trees dance across the walls.

The deep plan and low ceiling under the mezzanine meant we needed to keep things bright. Lacquered birch-ply cabinetry and white concrete countertops in the kitchen ensure the space never feels dark. The kitchen joinery continues around into the living area, working with the unusual geometry of the existing masonry walls and creating generous storage throughout.

Timber warms the space, balancing the cleaner, cooler finishes, while subtle changes in floor material delineate public and private areas. We made the most of the existing mezzanine and corrected some mistakes from the original conversion, adding an office and enlarging the smallest bedroom. Iconic pieces – Noguchi pendants, a Superstudio desk, the Togo chair – add character to the minimal backdrop, which is carefully detailed to appear seamless.

Moving the staircase created space for the office. We cut away a comparable amount from the far-end mezzanine, revealing one of the large windows in the living room that had been partially blocked. A second staircase with a double-height bookcase means the flat now flows in a completely new, continuous way.