Despite having been divided into two units some years back, this Georgian-era townhouse in Central London holds vestiges of its former glamour. “It still has its period features,” says Gail, who, in 2000, purchased the upper unit with her partner, Peter. “Cornicing, original marble fireplaces, and a drawing room that’s slightly grand.”

Up until recently, the basement unit was in a very different condition than it is today, with water damage, an overgrown courtyard that the couple could see but not access, and a menagerie of mice and pigeons. When it came up for sale, the couple immediately bought it with the goal of making the house whole again. “It was about getting some outdoor space, which obviously is a premium in central London,” says architect Simon Knight, who led the ensuing redesign.

Before: Exterior Doors

After: Exterior Doors

While the clients preserved many of the 1850 townhouse’s original details, they were happy to veer more modern at the basement level. “There were two sides to the project,” says Knight. “One was to make the basement habitable again and renovate it. The other was to insert a contemporary feel and make the most of the outdoor space.”

The existing layout held a few rooms in a typical, somewhat narrow plan that ceded into an L-shaped configuration that wraps the courtyard on one side. Knight proposed staying within the confines of that footprint, but to open up the rear of the property with new glass—not only at the back wall, but along the room that borders the courtyard as well, and top it all off with a glass roof. To better connect the inside and out, there would be no column at the corner, allowing spaces to flow together more fluidly.

Before: Rear Room

After: Kitchenette

The new plan consists of a bathroom, study, lounge, and kitchen alongside an outdoor dining area in the refurbished courtyard. With only 700 square feet, Knight kept the scheme simple to amplify the sense of space, adding integrated storage with flush doors and sleek built-ins on the perimeter of the study and lounge.

The glass roof “gives the modest space height,” says the architect. Using the same flooring in the kitchen and courtyard, a porcelain tile that has “a nice feel underfoot,” further enlarges the space. “That makes the courtyard feel bigger than it actually is,” adds Knight.

Before: Corridor

Knight had an easy enough time eliminating water damage and sealing off the basement from moisture, but other challenges surfaced in the lead up to construction. First, since the home is located within the Pimlico Conservation Area, Knight needed to gain approval from the local planning office for any changes. There was also the matter of getting the glass onto the premises. “These pieces of glass are big,” says Knight. “The contractor had to maneuver them down a really tight stairway at one edge of the property and then slot them through the window at the front.”

After: Corridor

Before: Courtyard

After: Courtyard

“There were two sides to this project: One was to make the basement habitable again with a contemporary feel, and the other was to make the most of the outdoor space.”
—Simon Knight, architect

Now, the refinished and connected basement offers a lot more flexibility to the townhouse’s floor plan. There are the obvious functions, such as the dedicated office for Peter and a spot to watch TV, as well less obvious ones. The lounge can double as guest quarters in a pinch, and the courtyard makes an excellent destination for lunch, or evening cocktails with friends. Not only does the basement feel bigger, but so does the garden. “When the doors are all open, you feel as though the courtyard occupies the whole space,” says Knight.

Before: Lounge

After: Lounge

Before: The Vaults

After: Bathroom

More from Simon Knight Architects:

Before & After: A Brick Hayloft in England Gets a Breakthrough Renovation

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Simon Knight Architects / @simonknightarchitects

Builder/General Contractor: Salamon Construction

Structural Engineering: DEC Engineering

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Before & After: A Refreshed Courtyard Helps a Townhouse in London See the Light