Creating light in a London mews conversion

Residents living in pretty-as-a-picture period cottages located on quiet, cobbled streets enjoy the benefits of a fantastic community spirit rarely found in the capital these days. 

London mews properties are highly sought-after for their period charm, so why change something so perfect? These delightful mews houses are time capsules that reflect the way Londoners conducted their lives over a century and a half ago. Created to provide accommodation for servants and horses, mews houses were built as stables with basic living accommodation above. They were also constructed as terrace properties, standing back-to-back with the grand houses they served (and often linked to them via a passageway). The architects of the time, however, gave little thought to the way light would enter the servants’ living accommodation.

For today’s architects, natural light is a major factor in any new build property. Large windows, glass floors and roof lights are carefully built into the design to allow light to fill the rooms. But what can be done if you are considering a mews refurbishment?

Coffey Architects – who recently won RIBA’s London Award for their “Modern Mews” project – will tell you that anything is possible. Mews properties traditionally have a boxy, square layout that is particularly useful for house owners who want to reconfigure their interior space. When Coffey set out to transform a dilapidated London mews property into a modern, light-filled space, they revised the existing interior layout, moving the staircase to the centre of the building to avoid the need for corridors. They also created a glass roof, installed glass floors and even made translucent sliding doors, so light could enter rooms even with the doors closed.

With over 40 years’ experience as the go-to agent for mews and mews-style houses, Lurot Brand has been involved with a number of highly successful mews conversions, designed to create flexible living space and admit natural light whilst preserving the elegant exterior of a traditional mews property.

If you are thinking of investing in a mews property which would benefit from work to bring it in line with 21st century lifestyle choices, get in touch with us today. Over time we have gained a unique insight into local planning departments’ requirements and developed relationships with architects and specialist construction companies who can carry out work to the highest standards.