Gayton Road is a typical terraced street of part-stucco fronted 19th century walk-ups off Hampstead High Street. Our clients approached us to see how they could fit their family into a house that had already been extended into the loft space and very little garden. Together in discussion we decided the house not only needed a complete re-modelling, but also expansion with bigger and better living space. The challenge in designing a successful basement living space is about getting in enough natural light, so that it doesn’t feel like it is underground. A triangular-shaped extension on the ground floor allowed for an atrium space, with a glass bridge to access the garden that allowed as much light as possible to reach the basement. Although we renovated and modernised the whole house, the majority of our client’s limited budget was focussed on these two living floors, where architectural intervention is clearly legible. The materials used were very contemporary and minimal – stainless and polished steel, sandblasted and clear glass, polished and pigmented concrete. The thin-framed sliding glass doors, the concrete floor and worktop, the kitchen joinery, the stairs and the bridge were built to our detailed design by specialist subcontractors. The main contractor delivered the project on-time and within the contract budget despite onerous foundation, retaining and party wall conditions.