Interactive floor plan: Span House, London

Britain's Span Development houses are iconic – be it in Blackheath, Kent or Richmond, the properties created by Eric Lyons and Geoffrey Townsend with landscape architect Ivor Cunningham in the 1950s and 1960s set at their time new standards in design, layout and landscaping.

Recently refitted by London-based Friend and Company architects, this Span house occupies a mid-terrace location within the coveted Corner Green estate in Blakcheath.

In need of renovation, the house was a challenging case, as while an interior makeover was necessary, it was crucial to maintain the original Span intention and character. How to go about reinventing such an iconic structure for the 21st Century? Director Adrian Friend found the solution in a simple function-based format. 'The design is based on a very simple concept: everything vertical is glass and everything horizontal is wood,' he says.

This unusual rule was much simpler to apply than it would appear; no mechanical fixings were needed and installation was light-speed quick, thanks to an innovative construction method for connecting timber and glass and the latest glass water jet cutting technology. Specialist Arup engineers’ material consultants unit was involved in pinpointing the exact specification and requirements for a refined and yet sturdy, safe result for the glass elements.

The house may be modest in scale but in terms of material quality, there was no compromise. High-end Danish wood company Dinesen provided the elegant structural timber planks for the house, creating smooth result, while the glass elements are laminated safety glass with polished edges, ensuring excellent finishes. The whole interior was almost treated as a single furniture component and due to the unique construction method used, the shelves and staircases appear to float on air.

The few housing complexes born out of this forward-thinking property development scheme are now unmistakable architectural landmarks and represent a valuable piece of recent British architecture history. In full alignment to the true Span modernist spirit for simplicity and functionality, this 21st century Span house offers an equally pared-down yet efficient and contemporary alternative that will take this house into the new century.