The owners of this house visited 1 Cliff Road on a London Open House day and thought that some of the ideas might improve their similar four-storey Victorian semi. Ideally situated adjacent to Hampstead Heath, their house had an upper ground floor kitchen and dining room, and a large but uninviting basement living room and study. A conservatory had been designed for a mid-level, but they were having second thoughts about it. We advised against any extension. The basement was big enough for their needs, but poorly lit and not readily accessible. We lowered the adjacent part of the garden and opened out the basement. We also added a glass-floored balcony to the kitchen, improving the link from the upper ground floor to the garden. The result is light-filled living spaces focused around the garden and the Heath beyond. See our website www.dalelotharchitects.ltd.uk for more information and testimonial.