This converted factory home in East London is all about the light

This garment factory turned home solves a nuanced spatial puzzle – how to retain a lofty, open-plan arrangement while also creating privacy?

The East London property is located on Florida Street in Bethnal Green and was originally a textiles factory before being repurposed as a commercial office space. Fast forward to 2016, when practice Paper House Project was tasked with turning it into a two-bedroom home that retained its core character, namely its bright, breezy layout – and its warehouse feel.

The practice honed in on the vertical circulation of the space, opening up an enclosed stairwell to create a double-height glass-enclosed atrium that draws light into the main living areas. This vertical ‘artery’ is the focal point of the Bethnal Green property, with black steel heightening the industrial vibe.

This theme picks up in the kitchen, where stainless steel appliances and surfaces contrast the building’s old steel columns and a poured concrete resin floor, juxtaposing heritage and modernity. Obscured glass panels are also used for the bedrooms and bathrooms to amplify light flow while retaining privacy in these cosy, enclosed spaces.

AHM London is listing the Florida Street home for £1.675m. There’s also plenty of storage and shelving, especially in the living room, which can accommodate even the biggest vinyl and book collection.