ServicesRoof terraces & lofts

Roof terraces, lofts and mezzanines in London

Outdoor space and extra rooms where there seemed to be none: on flat roofs, inside tall rooms and in the roof.

Book a free 30-minute feasibility call
Completed roof terrace at dusk on Godfrey Street, Chelsea

Approved where others are refused

Roof terraces in conservation areas are hard to get through planning. On Godfrey Street in Chelsea, our first application was refused. We took it to appeal, the inspector backed the terrace, and it was approved. Since then we have won two more terraces on the same street, one of them at the first attempt.

The approach is always the same: careful set-backs that keep the terrace out of sight from the pavement, and a design that respects the neighbours’ privacy.

At Shelton Street in Covent Garden, we negotiated with the freeholder to buy the roof above our client’s penthouse, then won planning permission for a new pavilion and roof terrace in the Seven Dials conservation area.

Inside, we find space in height: mezzanines in former classrooms at Minstrel Court, a sleeping deck in the roof at Sevenoaks, and a second-floor mezzanine at Albion Drive 3.

From feasibility to finished project

  • 01

    Sightlines and set-backs

    Studies that show the terrace can’t be seen from the street and won’t overlook neighbours.

  • 02

    Planning and appeals

    Design and access statements built on precedent, and appeals when a refusal is wrong.

  • 03

    Freeholders and leases

    Negotiating roof purchases and licences to alter with freeholders, managing agents, building control and the fire brigade.

  • 04

    Stairs and roof lights

    Access that earns its place: folded-steel stairs, sliding roof lights and integrated balustrades.

  • 05

    Low-maintenance materials

    Composite decking, privacy screens and planters chosen to last on an exposed roof.

  • 06

    Mezzanines and sleeping decks

    Extra floor area inside tall rooms and roof spaces, with daylight kept for both levels.

Related work

See all
Roof terrace at dusk with composite decking, outdoor seating and a lit timber privacy fence above Chelsea rooftops 01 Chelsea Godfrey Street 3 Completed roof terrace in a conservation area Penthouse roof terrace with chequerboard paving, striped seating, olive trees and views over Covent Garden 02 Covent Garden Shelton Street Penthouse refurbishment and new roof terrace Sunny roof terrace with timber furniture and a parasol above Chelsea rooftops 03 Chelsea Godfrey Street 2 Roof terrace approved first time Front elevation of a pastel-painted house on Godfrey Street, Chelsea 04 Chelsea Godfrey Street 1 Roof terrace approved after appeal Double-height living room in a converted schoolhouse with a black-framed glazed mezzanine and tall arched windows 05 Bethnal Green Minstrel Court 2 Mezzanine in a converted schoolhouse Double-height former classroom with a new mezzanine above the kitchen and tall sash windows 06 Bethnal Green Minstrel Court Glass-edged mezzanine in a former classroom

Planning a project like this?

Book a free 30-minute feasibility call. Tell us about the house and what you’d like to do, and we’ll talk through what’s possible, the planning route and the next steps.

Book a free 30-minute feasibility call Call +44 (0)7881 817 310
Or get in touch directlyTheme2 Architects
Address
The White House, 55A Kyverdale Road, London N16 7AB