The Upside-Down House on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, West London inverts the traditional house form by placing bedrooms at ground floor level and living accommodation above.

Retaining an existing period façade, the dwelling replaces a derelict workshop and one bedroom flat, which were demolished in order to build a new contemporary house. Upside Down House is a split-level section, with glazing between levels to allow views from front to back. It achieves well lit, generous living spaces assisted by an open stair connects the kitchen/dining room with the upper living room. This in turn opens up to a rear roof terrace, providing three generous interconnected living spaces. The two bedrooms and bathrooms, utility and dressing rooms are on the ground floor.

A glass-balustraded staircase leads directly from the entrance hallway, upstairs into the kitchen and dining area; it is an all-white feature, split in half by an island. The extendable, white lacquered wood Athos table surrounded by white moulded plastic Verner Panton chairs serves as the focal point of family life in the house.

The architect specified dark brown American walnut floors, which contrast well with the otherwise stark white decor and pure white walls. “We wanted to keep a simple palette of materials and colours throughout to help tie the different levels of the living spaces and the whole house together,” comments Luke Tozer.

An impressively large sitting room is divided from the kitchen by no more than a thick slab of clear glass and a small raised platform. The lounge space is dominated by an off-white Flexform sofa and white Eames lounge chair and stool, complement by modernist Flos light fittings.

What was originally the loft space was opened up to create a feeling of height, while the original brick wall at the back was replaced by a large glass wall that overlooks the decked roof terrace. This, together with the skylight above, allows in plenty of light, as well as connecting the indoors to the outdoor terrace, accessed by another staircase.