Stapleton Hall Road

Project Overview

This loft extension in north London transforms the roof of a family home into a warm, playful retreat for a child. Designed as a modern ‘treehouse’, it offers a cozy space to sleep, play, and dream.

The architecht was commissioned to create a new bedroom and shower room in the attic. The design draws on childhood memories—of treehouses, attics, and secret hideouts with views over treetops.

Project Specifications

Structural Modifications
  • Load-bearing wall removal
  • Steel framework installation
  • Poplar ply panelling to wall ceiling, staircase and balustrade.
  • Roof reinforcement.
  • Self supporting poplar ply staircase.
  • Seamless solid rubber floor.
Materials & Finishes
  • Solid oak flooring
  • Custom joinery throughout
  • Handmade ceramic tiles
  • Brushed brass fixtures
Sustainable Features
  • Underfloor heating system
  • High-efficiency insulation
  • Double glazed windows

Design Approach


The design approach focused on maintaining the original character of the Victorian home while integrating modern elements to create a bright, spacious living environment.

The project required careful consideration of the building's heritage aspects, ensuring that modern additions complemented rather than overwhelmed the original architectural details.

A large dormer window floods the room with light and opens up views over the garden and street. Below it, a built-in plywood desk and reading nook offer a perfect spot to study or relax.

The new bathroom includes an enclosed shower and a skylight framing a view of the turret’s restored finial. A plywood staircase, appearing to 'hang' from above, connects the loft to the rest of the house, bringing more light into the Victorian stairwell through a new skylight.

IBLA also reorganised the laundry and utility rooms and added a large skylight over the kitchen. At the rear, modern glazed additions blend with traditional elements for a dynamic new look.

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