Jacob Street Apartment

A former industrial warehouse renovated into a bright and airy apartment.

Located in Bermondsey, London, this apartment occupies the loft area of an old, industrial warehouse. Architecture firm EBBA Architects renovated the former commercial unit and redesigned the space to create a bright, airy, and comfortable apartment. To follow the clients’ brief, which focused on the optimization of natural light and comfort, the team reconfigured the layout of the apartment. At the center, there’s a new open-plan kitchen and living room that make the most of the lofty level. This core area is also flexible, as it can easily adapt to the clients’ changing needs. Here, they can entertain guests or use the space as a home office.

A dark, walnut-clad volume becomes the centerpiece of the kitchen and also marks the border between the social and private rooms. Beyond this rich wood volume, the studio placed the more private bedrooms and bathrooms. A change in level also marks the division between the day and night zones. Large windows allow natural light to flow freely throughout the apartment. Minimalist furniture and lighting help to create a refined but warm and welcoming space.

The architects used natural materials that complement original industrial elements. Apart from walnut wood, the apartment also features ash wood flooring, textured tiles, and poured concrete floors alongside the original exposed steel structure and raw brick walls. The team optimized the available space with concealed storage areas and furniture that makes the most of the angled roof. Finally, the studio designed the apartment with sustainability in mind. Apart from sustainable wood, the home also features deep natural insulation that improves energy performance and minimizes energy consumption. Photography© James Retief.