Islington 154

London town houses are tall and narrow and the key to this conversion was to replace the staircase from basement to first floors, allowing the basement space to be opened up with a flat ceiling. Light is cleverly borrowed and brought in through new skylights, slots and a fire-proof glass panel in the entrance hallway.

The rear extension was ramshackle and dilapidated and so was completely rebuilt; the original part in traditional style and the ground floor infill is constructed with a glazed lightweight design. Finishes are sleek and modern but this remains quintessentially a family home.