Book Tower House

A North London home needed a bit of love and a lot more space for the residents’ huge book collection, so Platform 5 Architects stepped up to create this fabulous renovated living space with a surprisingly spacious library.

Book Tower House exterior

In the heart of the house, a bedroom and an unused sitting area were repurposed into the ground floor segment of the library.

Book Tower House stairwell

A winding oak staircase is the setting for the library’s continuation. Built-in bookshelves line the walls of the staircase, creating a path that leads up to the reading/studying area on the second floor.

Book Tower House Built in bookcase

At the top of the staircase is a virtual book lovers’ paradise. A small landing cantilevers out over the ground floor and contains a desk. Sitting at this desk, one can look over the landing’s short wall and out of the home’s front windows.

Book tower house garden

The library wasn’t the only overhaul to take place in this Hampstead household. The kitchen and dining area were deftly expanded, creating a space that continues almost seamlessly directly into the back garden.

Book Tower House kitchen

A single brick wall is exposed in the dining area, lending it a characteristic London charm while strengthening the visual link between the sophisticated dining area and the comfortable outdoor sitting area.

“The original property contained some Arts and Crafts influenced decorative aspects, which the owners were keen to retain and highlight, while introducing contemporary interventions.”

built in cat bench

“The main feature is a double height library space at the heart of the house, created by combining the original rear reception room and a first floor bedroom.  The feature staircase, wrapped in oak bookshelves, leads up to a built-in desk and study area with views over the ground floor.”

“To the rear of the house, a side extension to the existing kitchen was formed by resting an oak rib and skin structure, externally clad in zinc, onto the brick party wall.  A cosy seating area with slide-away corner glazing creates a space where you feel surrounded by the garden.”