Located in the prestigious Boltons Conservation Area in Chelsea, this Victorian terrace dating back to the 1870s has been reimagined as an ‘Iceberg House’ — a spectacular rebirth of a historic property that was featured on France 2’s 20 Heures. We called it Iceberg because of the double basement excavation,
The brief was to create a home that was both larger and more practical for family living, while incorporating a striking architectural centrepiece. At EMR Architecture, we embraced this challenge by designing every detail with equal care for aesthetics, functionality and technical precision.
The defining feature of the project is a dramatic central atrium that rises through the heart of the house, pulling daylight deep into every level and creating a sense of openness and grandeur. Sleek glazing details and Crittall-style elements amplify this effect, transforming once-enclosed rooms into luminous spaces that feel connected and expansive.
Delivering such an ambitious project in a conservation area came with unique technical challenges. We concealed rainwater drainage systems, ensured absolute dryness inside the room beneath the rear garden, and engineered complex glazing that had to be craned into place over a narrow residential street. Meticulous coordination, from structural solutions to bespoke finishes, ensured every challenge was met with precision.
The result is a 320 sqm, 15-metre-tall Chelsea family home that balances heritage with bold modernity. It is at once practical and awe-inspiring; a showcase of how intelligent design, light, and detail can transform a Victorian terrace into a timeless, light-filled masterpiece.