NTS video - An Industrial Loft for an Architect and her 3-Year-Old Son

Video Transcript:

Intro

0:03

I've always liked materials that have a lot of patina

0:06

especially historic materials.

0:10

Really my interest goes back to me growing up near shipyards

0:14

and being surrounded by brick and steel buildings.

0:22

This is my family home for my son

0:24

and I, and this is most importantly, his childhood home.

0:27

And I want him to remember it.

0:30

this is why, I was inspired to become an architect

0:33

living and seeing incredible properties as a child.

0:39

The building was built in the

0:41

Art Deco style by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners.

0:45

Who also built the Hoover Building.

0:49

It is in the heart of the historical

0:51

industrial area, near River Thames.

0:56

This apartment block was originally the offices for the factory behind,

1:00

and then was converted into apartments in the 90s.

1:08

I wanted a place where I

1:09

could totally relax, and have a slower pace

1:14

and just be in a calm space in the city center.

Before

1:44

Weather here at London is very gray.

1:46

So the idea was always to have rich materials.

1:51

I wanted it to be warm and cozy, especially on those dark gray

1:56

winter months.

1:58

And also the idea behind the texture is

2:00

it makes the space feel much larger.

2:05

So the existing layout was a bit awkward

2:06

originally The double height space

2:09

was completely ignored in and it seems a missed opportunity to me.

2:14

on the ground floor, we added a door to the kitchen,

2:17

a door to the under stair storage

2:20

and built in cabinets in the dining area.

2:24

On the first floor, I totally renovated the bathroom.

2:28

In the bedroom

2:28

I added storage units and privacy doors, area I just wanted

2:32

some extra privacy as it was very light, and it helps to sleep better.

Entrance

2:39

Once inside,

2:40

to make the entrance feel more important, I added a landing step.

2:45

I added, two wall mounted Ikea timber cabinets

2:48

with a circular mirror which creates a vanity unit.

2:53

so I positioned the sitting area

2:54

away from the window to give a very private area,

2:57

and the seating is in an L-shape, so it divides the uses.

3:03

The ceiling is quite low, at two meters,

3:05

so I painted it in a dark brown chocolate color.

3:08

And the idea behind this is that dark colors recede to the eye

3:11

so it doesn't feel as noticable, so it gives it height.

3:16

I have a terracotta velvet Copla sofa from Sancal

3:19

which is set high on legs so it allows the light

3:22

through underneath.

3:26

There is also a white shelving system with base cabinets,

3:30

which I use for my son's books and toys,

3:35

and also my CD player.

Dining Room

3:42

My favourite spot in this apartment?

3:45

It's probably where I'm sat right now

3:48

under the lanterns, but actually it’s super relaxing

3:53

even when the windows aren't open,

3:55

the lanterns are just floating

3:58

very gently around, and it just has a very, calming effect.

4:03

The custom dining table has a painted MDF top, the dining room

4:08

has a four meter tall ceiling with large concrete beams that span across.

4:13

So I chose to hide these with a large mesh ceiling screen.

4:18

It also creates a base for the spotlights.

4:21

I also have one pendant light for the dining room table,

4:24

which I picked up on my travels to Indonesia.

4:27

The chairs are vintage chrome Magnus Olesen X line chairs,

4:31

and these can be stacked and also moved out of the way.

4:35

The table can also be folded up or moved,

4:38

so the space can be used in a totally different way.

4:41

Along the window wall, I designed a birch plywood unit

4:44

with cabinets for storing shoes and also to hide

4:48

the original radiator.

Kitchen

4:56

The kitchen is very small at just over two square meters,

4:58

so I had to plan the layout to the millimeter.

5:03

And the kitchen doors are all birch plywood with no handles,

5:07

and the ceiling is again painted chocolate brown,

5:09

so it gives the feeling of height.

5:11

I managed to get all the appliances in.

5:13

A dishwasher, a washer dryer, a fridge, freezer, oven, and even a combo microwave.

5:20

For additional storage, I have a pegboard with all the items

5:23

I need at hand so I can cook happily without searching for things.

5:28

there is also a small wall shelf with everyday items.

5:31

Everything is just there, ready to go.

5:37

The landing is oak to match the main floor.

5:41

I also added a David Groppi shade wall lights.

5:45

And it's not only a light, but it's a mirror

5:47

I can use to check my lipstick before I leave.

5:51

Every nook and cranny is useful here.

5:54

Staircase is folded perforated metal,

5:58

which doesn't sit against the wall, so it gives it a floating look.

6:03

The stair is also perfect to light up at night

6:06

and enhance this floating feeling.

Bedroom

6:12

and then the bedroom itself is accessed

6:14

with two sliding doors, which fit around one of the original concrete beams.

6:21

The mezzanine floor

6:22

is the original simple pine boards, which are oiled and the ceiling

6:26

is painted in a concrete color which matches the living area.

6:30

To this I added built in storage, a wardrobe and cabinets

6:33

all in birch plywood.

6:39

I added a woven hanging to the head of my bed to define the area

6:42

it’s made from grass And it is made in Spain by espadrille makers.

6:47

And it just gives some texture to the room as a lot of the walls are smooth.

6:55

The mezzanine has a simple glass

6:57

balustrade with a rich wooden handrail.

7:01

Behind this is a large folding door which is installed for privacy

7:05

from the main space.

7:10

I share the bedroom with my toddler son, and he has a small toddler bed

7:15

and I have a low-height queen-size bed

7:17

because the height in the bedroom is quite short.

7:20

Under my bed, there are four pullout drawers

7:23

for extra clothes storage.

7:26

On the stair landing, I added two deep shelving units in birch

7:30

ply, each with two doors to save space when open

Bathroom

7:37

In the bathroom

7:38

was completely redone, adding lots of storage.

7:41

The main shower head is Fifth Avenue by West One Bathrooms,

7:45

and it looks a little bit industrial, so it fits in very well.

7:49

the basin style was picked because it was in a very simple shape,

7:52

a little bit Art Deco and above, there is a wall mounted rose colored

7:57

hanging bar, for hooks and shelves, which come in orange for storage.

8:01

And it's part of a modular system by EXT

8:05

At the bathroom entrance

8:06

there is a large concrete beam which runs along the top

8:10

and you have to duck to get into the bathroom.

8:12

It's just one of those quirks of converted buildings.

8:18

I think it's important when you design small spaces to think big.

8:21

Don't believe that you can't get everything you want.

8:23

You just have to think of it and solve it in a different way.

8:28

City dwellings often have constraints.

8:32

Really you don't have to add

8:33

space to make a place feel bigger.

8:37

You just have to manipulate materials and colours to have the same effect.

Nestled in London’s historic industrial area along the River Thames, this apartment was designed by Louise Glynn as a family home for her young son. Originally built as an office building and later converted into apartments, the space featured a double-height ceiling that had been overlooked. Glynn reimagined the layout, adding a floating staircase that leads to a cosy mezzanine bedroom. Thoughtful renovations include custom birch plywood furniture, hidden storage, and dark-coloured ceilings that create an illusion of height. Rich materials and warm textures bring a sense of cosiness to combat London’s grey winters, while a newly renovated bathroom floods the space with natural light. Clever solutions like a pegboard kitchen wall and pull-out storage drawers maximise functionality without sacrificing style.

Glynn's thoughtful renovations are evident throughout the apartment, from the custom birch plywood furniture that adds warmth and texture, to the clever hidden storage solutions that keep clutter at bay.

This is a lesson in maximising functionality without sacrificing style. Every detail, from the layout to the furniture, has been carefully considered to create a harmonious balance of form and function. The result is a beautifully designed family home that is both stylish and practical, providing a perfect haven for Glynn and her son to enjoy.