Designed by: @carmodygroarke

Captured by: @johan_dehlin x @james_retief

A nineteenth-century Grade II-listed merchant’s house in Covent Garden has been transformed into a duplex penthouse, defined by the addition of a new aluminium rooftop pavilion. The renovation extensively reworks the building’s upper two floors to accommodate a bespoke family home while establishing a distinct identity above the historic structure.

The lower level contains the entrance lobby and bedrooms, where walnut-panelled joinery creates a warm and intimate atmosphere. Above, an open-plan living area makes use of the loft’s generous ceiling height and panoramic views across Covent Garden Market. New skylights inserted between the existing roof trusses bring daylight and natural ventilation deep into the interior.

At the rear of the landlocked site, the new rooftop pavilion extends the living space, accommodating a kitchen and a sheltered roof terrace. Its pitched roof follows the familiar form of a traditional roof extension, but its construction from 25-millimetre-thick solid aluminium plates gives it a more abstract presence. The monolithic walls and roof appear to rest against one another, creating a distinctive silhouette above the surrounding rooftops.

Developed in collaboration with a team of makers and craftspeople, the interiors and bespoke furniture are defined by a restrained material palette. Black American walnut, heartwood ash and Italian silver travertine are used throughout the apartment, with carefully selected stone slabs shaping the kitchen, bathrooms and terraces. The travertine provides a subtle contrast to the seamless aluminium while complementing the warmth of the walnut.