A nineteenth century whisky warehouse in Limehouse posed a series of challenges for the conversion from a Grade ll listed shell to a new home for a city lawyer and his two visiting sons. The deep plan created 'stagnant' space at the heart of the building and the existing levels and position of window apertures precluded access and views to the Limekiln Dock and the river from the ground floor.

A three-storey red tower is positioned central to the plan around which are clustered service spaces on each level - a kitchen, bathroom and  wine 'cellar'. This arrangement attempts to maximise the flexibility of surrounding open plan space. Analogous to an urban marker, the central red stair tower acts as a point of orientation within the converted warehouse.

On entering the dwelling, a stepped ramp begins the spatial sequence, leading to the base of the stair tower, and a three-storey top-lit space. This triple-height volume provides stack ventilation to the adjacent spaces and importantly encourages a spatial dialogue between all floor levels. Internal windows opening into this light shaft allow the two sons to speak to each other from their bedrooms and play spaces at opposite sides of the house.

The timber and steel open staircase wraps around a blue fritted glass 'newel'- a cascade of colour, finally culminating in a double sided aquarium and the lofty living area beyond. A glass top to the tower floods the stair with daylight. This provides the floor to a study retreat above and is accessed via a retractable mechanical stair ladder.