Argyll House

This five-storey town house in the heart of the Kensington Conservation Area is 150 years old, and its extensive refurbishment and remodelling was as much structural as spatial. New lower ground floor extensions were added to both front and rear, and a new roof structure created additional space for a young, growing family. Over an 18-month construction period every internal partition and floor was stripped out, the height of the lower ground floor was significantly raised and a new steel frame inserted, clearing the way for an entirely new spatial arrangement.

Working with a footprint that is narrow but long, Patalab Architects opened up the three principal floors so that they flow between the party walls with a generosity unusual for this building type. Rooms draw daylight from both the street and the garden, letting light travel deep into the plan while keeping undisturbed views to the outside.

At the centre of the house is a winding ribbon staircase. Its brushed metal balustrade is built from more than 5,000 individual parts and catches both natural and artificial light; uprights of varying diameters are set in a subtle rhythm that emphasises the undulating geometry of the stairwell, with the ribbon-like balustrade sweeping through every floor.

Bespoke joinery runs through the home, alongside custom light fittings and switch plates and dedicated display areas for the client's extensive art collection. The material palette moves from natural oak in white-oiled and dark-fired finishes to warm-toned limestone and brushed stainless steel. The detailing has been resolved with exceptional care, creating a contemporary interior that echoes the high level of craftsmanship of the Victorian era.

Architect: Uwe Schmidt-Hess, Patalab Architects. Photography: Lyndon Douglas.