The owners of this property, originally a Victorian postal warehouse and sorting room, tasked Stylus Architects with converting it into a modern family dwelling that pays homage to its historic roots. The aim was to retain as much of the architectural charm of the building as possible while incorporating modern, contrasting elements. The project required a full-scale demolition of everything except the external walls, but the industrial feel of the remaining brick adds character.
The design makes the most of the double height of the former warehouse by incorporating a mezzanine that cantilevers over the kitchen area, accessed by a new staircase and bridge. The elevated space looks out over the kitchen as well as the glazed extension, which houses a dining area, and a new sedum green roof. Horizontal slot windows have been installed either side of the built-in joinery on the mezzanine in addition to the rooflights above, flooding plenty of light into the space and making it feel bright and airy. The bedrooms are situated around the perimeter of the ground floor, where the sorting rooms once were, with the bathroom and utility room located below the mezzanine.