Apartment with a Mezzanine
By replacing the old roof with an energy-efficient one, we created space for a mezzanine level. Instantly, this introduced dramatic spatial variety and floods of natural light through large skylights.
Thoughtful material choices (exposed timber, raw plaster) enhance texture and emphasise the play of light and shadow across the home.
With three distinct floors, the home now moves seamlessly from an intimate, moody lower level to a bright and expansive top floor, evolving with the time of day and the passing of the seasons.
TEXT 2 SUB HEADING
This flat is part of a large semi-detached house that was converted into three apartments in the 1970s. The project transformed one of these—a dark, one-bedroom maisonette—into a bright, efficiently designed miniature house. This was achieved by reconfiguring the staircase to enable a more functional layout and extending into the loft. The goal was to create a highly efficient family home without compromising on spatial quality or natural light. For the architect-owners, this was also an opportunity to experiment with new spatial configurations in both plan and section.
The completed design spans three stories, much like a compact house, adding three new rooms and integrating two large roof lights that enhance the connection to the outdoors. Because the flat occupies the rear outrigger of the converted semi, planning restrictions prevented the addition of a dormer to the new loft space. Instead, a hip-to-gable extension was used to increase the usable area. To further maximize headroom, the design relied on strategically placed large roof lights, which not only compensated for the limited ceiling height but also flooded the previously dark interior with natural light.
