The conversion of a large, grade 2 listed, townhouse in Kensington from flats to a high specification, single-family dwelling for a private developer. Extensive discussions with the Council’s conservation and planning officers followed an initial feasibility study. The final project included a roof extension and the conversion of a flat roof at the rear to a terrace. In our design, we sought to restore the clarity of the original house form and detailing. Where we added new features, we sought to maintain the integrity of the building. The external roof extension was designed as a slated mansard with lead dormers common in Victorian townhouses. Other features were carefully detailed in a simple modern idiom. We located the kitchen in the rear lower ground floor. To provide adequate light there, we inserted a modern, structural glass rooflight flush with the timber decking of the first floor terrace above, thereby keeping that space unobstructed. Internally we had to reconcile the technological demands of a modern house, (home cinema, large modern kitchen and integral alarm systems) with conservation considerations (the protection of original murals discovered in the course of the works, the repair of original plaster mouldings). Besides architecture, we also provided planning supervision and party wall services on this project.