Previously used as a boarding house, clever use of space and natural light has transformed this corner terrace in Paddington from a dark warren of rooms into a free-flowing series of contemporary, bright open spaces.

The general arrangement of rooms has been retained and structural changes kept to a minimum. A ground floor wall has been demolished to consolidate the cramped kitchen and corridor into one space. A new timber veneer and corian kitchen has been installed, with built-in seating for a new informal dining area integrated into the kitchen joinery.

The existing staircase to the upper level has been preserved. This now leads to an open timber stair linking the upper floor to a new timber deck on the roof.

A large motorised skylight provides access to the new roof terrace, whilst bathing the space below in natural light. The theme of lightness and openness is continued in the new bathroom, which is separated from the stair landing by sheets of translucent glass.

Storage is maximised in the master bedroom by the addition of new built-in joinery, in timber veneer and white to match the kitchen. As in the rest of the house, the original timber floors have been exposed and sanded back to give the space an authentic, tactile feel.

In this project, Cullinan Ivanov Partnership have succeeded in creating a contemporary residence that allows its occupants to enjoy a modern lifestyle while preserving and celebrating the heritage of the original Victorian terrace.