A home for young collectors

This refurbishment project introduces a number of plywood structures into one of London’s oldest School Board buildings. This Grade II listed building was originally converted to apartments in the 1990’s. We were commissioned to look at how to make better use of the two large, double-height spaces (the former classrooms) and the dramatic bell tower structure. Other than a pair of beautiful fire places and roof structures, there were very few original features in property, so it was important for us and the client to make the most of what remains.

A pair of modern spiral staircases in the living space have been replaced with a new metal and timber stair leading to a plywood walkway.  The walkway, supported on douglas fir flitch beams, connect the existing mezzanine level with the bell tower allowing it to be converted to a small guest bedroom. A new family bathroom has been created under the mezzanine and new plywood screens introduced to create a third bedroom. New en-suite bathroom and WC pods have also installed in the mezzanine and bell tower without compromising the existing roof structures. Each of the new partitions has been conceived as a piece of furniture and has been constructed using a warm douglas fir plywood with built-in storage for the owners’ collections from their travels.

Photographs: Ben Tynegate and Reed Watts