With a surge in demand for urban living and a scarcity of new city sites, developers are giving period townhouses all over the UK a new lease of life by converting them into apartments.

According to Savills Scottish architecture team, when historic character and period details are respected during conversion work, a Category A property can command a 5 per cent premium. One of the challenges developers face, however, is how to turn hitherto dark corners of an old building into light, bright and appealing modern living space. But with a well-thought-out layout and good design, it can certainly be done.

Take the six-storey townhouse, pictured above, in the prime suburb of Park in Glasgow. It was once a single dwelling, then converted into offices, now the current incarnation of 2 Woodside Terrace has brought Category A listed architecture back to residential splendour in the shape of four luxury homes. And, it's the impressive duplex extending over the basement and lower basement that is arguably the star of the show.

Inspired by this triumph of design, here are some tips for flooding low level properties with light:

• Light wells allow daylight to penetrate the depths of a building. Sun tubes or tunnels also channel outdoor light into dark spaces.
• Clerestory windows – glazing positioned high above eye level – can flood a room with light.
• Any existing light from basement windows can be maximised by using reflective finishes on the surrounding areas.
• A glass floor borrows light from above and an open tread staircase will add to the sense of space.
• Install glass in, above and to either side of doors for a more open feel. Crittall-style steel-framed internal walls, doors and screens can also work well to divide a space but keep it light.
• Where possible include double-height areas for maximum effect.

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