A London loft conversion by JaK Studio features a double-height living space

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Francesco Russo

Appointed to design a loft conversion for the owners of a top-floor flat within a converted house in Crouch End, north London, architect JaK Studio drew on the model of Parisian artists’ garrets and introduced a double-height space with floor-to ceiling glazing on the rear, north-east facing elevation.

The sacrifice of potential floor area for volume “is not something you tend to see in London”, says project architect William Deleporte. “Clients normally approach to us extend their roof space to squeeze in extra kids bedrooms, but the owners were not your average client. They were drawn to a dramatic vertical space straight away”.

Within the “cathedralesque” main living area, the kitchen is located under the sloping portion of the roof at the front of the building, while a new zinc-clad dormer increases the volume of the space to the rear, allowing a 5.5-metre-high glazed wall with sliding folding doors onto a small terrace.

A timber paddle staircase rises to a bedroom with en-suite bathroom on the upper level. Doors open onto another small terrace. A second bedroom, and a study/guest-bedroom with en-suite bathroom are on the floor below.

Externally the zinc roof is paired with timber cladding, while internally the principal palette comprises exposed brickwork, bare concrete walls and distressed copper finishes. Two concrete chimney breasts act as focal points within the living area.

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