The late nineteenth-century mansion block introduced apartment living to London. This fifth-floor apartment originally contained an awkward, dark, winding central corridor that provided a distinct separation between rooms. From front to back, the apartment measured a generous 26 metres, yet there was no sense of this space. To simplify the plan and maximise the visual dimensions, a new storage wall was inserted along the full length of the apartment. Behind the black basalt-clad storage wall there are bathrooms, kitchens, guest bedrooms and an exercise space. This wall creates the apartment’s ‘spine’; a demarcation between public and private space without compromising the circulation flow through the rooms. The new formal route allows for a new connection between the living area on the north side with the south-facing master bedroom sitting area. If required, concealed full-height doors can transform this room into further en-suite guest accommodation.

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