Period redbrick with modern upgrade

• Published date: 30 June 2022

Guard's work is best known in the most affluent areas of London, while a tiny apartment in Paris he designed was shortlisted for the pinnacle of awards: a RIBA Stirling prize in 1997

The mid-terrace property at Dufferin Avenue was purchased by an architect and his wife - who works in technology - for €952,500 in 2019. Together they have upgraded what was already a superb balance between modernism and minimalism with significant investment, sleeker lines, warmer flooring and lots of storage.

"While the big architectural moods had already been made it was not completely finished, as there were no internal doors, so we installed pivot doors, which means that you don't really notice them, and as they have no architraves there are cleaner lines," says the architect owner.

In addition, lots of clever storage was added to the 158sq m (1,699sq ft) property - which is not at all evident as it lies flush to the wall. Where the television now sits in the living room can be closed off for entertaining by a floating panel that also hides the AV system and whiskey bar.

The dining room now has concealed bookcases for the couple's vast book collection, while the bracketry for the glass roof is now also hidden, so it appears to float over the mid-century dining table.

But the bits you don't see are remarkable. First, the Ber of B1 is incredible for a house of its age.

"We could not find the windows cert when the house was being assessed for its energy rating, but I am sure that if it was now done again it would more than likely get an A rating."

Either way, it is a remarkable achievement.

Other high specifications include a...