Situated on the top floor of Priory House on Friar Street, one of Blackfriars’ narrow alleys, lies a dilapidated two-bedroom flat with a loft space beneath a pitched roof. The proposal for this flat is to leverage its high location and proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral and make it a big part of the design. In doing so, the roof will be fitted with two new large skylights, providing a clear view of the cathedral and another skylight on the opposite side for enhanced daylight penetration.
The ceiling above the existing living room and hallway will be removed to create a double-height ceiling, and the loft will be transformed into a mezzanine, converted into a study and guest sleeping area. Due to the limited space, the custom timber stairs to the mezzanine level will use a small footprint and have practical integrated storage cupboards.
By connecting the existing living room with the existing hallway, the new open-plan layout will significantly enhance the flat’s spaciousness. The proposal also encompasses the change to the layout of the flat’s entrance, a larger bathroom, the replacement of all existing windows with energy-efficient ones, the installation of new wiring throughout the property, and the renovation of the kitchen and bathroom facilities.