Attractive living as an architectural experiment: a 136-year-old water tower, a listed building with a spectacular 360-degree panorama view over the City of London. The task, to transform it into a superior residence, initially seemed an absolute impossibility. But when the owners came across architect Mike Collier, they had found a partner who was to make the impossible possible. The tower, which had been empty for decades, underwent radical renovation work and was extended by a four-storey cube containing kitchen, dining and living room - connected by glazed tunnels and a lift shaft. The kitchen, realised by Enclosure Interiors in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with furniture from LEICHT is the very heart of living in this new building. Shiny white matt-lacquered kitchen fronts (AVANCE-LR), tone-on-tone with the worktops, reflect the light in the room and thus create expanse and openness. The surface of the handle-less kitchen fronts has a horizontal relief embossing; depending on the light incidence, this results in a vitally structured surface. The free-standing preparation isle with its vertical side panels with a seamlessly integrated sink represents the transition between kitchen and living room. The fronts of the floor units facing the dining table were extended to the floor to do away with the plinth typical of most kitchens. Ceiling-high tall units on the wall provide plenty of storage space; the electrical appliances are integrated here invisible to the eye. Floor units on a high plinth which thus appear to be floating form the actual cooking centre within the kitchen, attached to the wall. A range of handle-less wall units concludes the glazed niche at the top. LEICHT international: “Architecture and kitchen” in the centre of London. www.LeichtUSA.com

Ultra modern family home, photography by Peter A. Sellar © 2012 www.photoklik.com

TG-Studio tackled the brief to create a light and bright space and make the most of the unusual layout by designing a new central staircase, which links the six half-levels of the building. A minimalist design with glass balustrades and pale wood treads connects the upper three floors consisting of three bedrooms and two bathrooms with the lower floors dedicated to living, cooking and dining. The staircase was designed as a focal point, one you see from every room in the house. It’s clean, angular lines add a sculptural element, set off by the minimalist interior of the house. The use of glass allows natural light to flood the whole house, a feature that was central to the brief of the Norwegian owner. Photography: Philip Vile

Foto Mirjam Knickrim

Die Galerie im Obergeschoss wurde hell und freundlich gestaltet. Durch die Dachfenster kommt viel Licht ins Haus.

Kilian O'Sullivan Upstairs sitting-room viewed from the study. The visible window cill downstairs is the kitchen

ThomasHerrmann / Photography

A contemporary home design for clients that featured south-facing balconies maximising the sea views, whilst also creating a blend of outdoor and indoor rooms. The spacious and light interior incorporates a central staircase with floating stairs and glazed balustrades. Revealed wood beams against the white contemporary interior, along with the wood burner, add traditional touches to the home, juxtaposing the old and the new. Photographs: Alison White

Veronica Rodriguez

Kitchen Designed by Sustainable Kitchens at www.houzz.co.uk/pro/sustainablekitchens Photography by Charlie O'Beirne at Lukonic.com

Chris Snook

Katherine Lu

Renovation of abandoned concrete building into Condominiums. Photography by Manolo Langis and developed by 9Mile.