When West End Girls broke, Chris Lowe decided he preferred making music to architecture. But when he wanted a new apartment he called in The boys he'd studied with - Brookes Stacey Randall Fursdon. The result? A light, airy interior and satisfaction all round

THE CLIENT Pet Shop boy Chris Lowe I've always liked modern design. I've never been someone who enjoyed rummaging around antique shops for some undiscovered bargain at dubious merit.

I studied architecture at Liverpool University-actually with two of the four architects working on the flat-and got my Part2 diploma just as west End Girls was starting to break. It was an easy decision to leave architecture, because although I'd always enjoyed developing concepts and rnaking something in my head, I don't envy the responsibility for detailing that architects carry.

You can spend ages on something and then if it leaks everyone blames the architect. I have another creative outlet now. With the flat I knew what I liked but let them get on with it.

It worked well because, having studied with them, I knew where they were coming from. There was no need for me to explain in precise detail what I was after and no need for them to persuade me to adopt an uncompromisingly modern approach.

The result is fantastic. It gives me great flexibility through the venous storage pods which pull out into the main area while leaving a great sense of space when they're not in use. The design also makes a virtue of what is normally mundane. The 'fire lobby is much more than that - it gives a sense of drama as the scale increases from the compressed en-trance behind the kitchen to over four metres high where it comes into the main space. In the shower, specially designed lighting illuminates every drop of falling water, and from the bath I can look at the stars through a rooflight; and the staircase is simply beautiful.

The flat avoids a sterile feel by its very under-stated use of colour and by the way it handles light. The end screens filter the light through a very thin wooden veneer so that the wood grain glows, and I can control my views without being over looked. I think most of all, though, the measure of the flat's success is that I just like being hare. It's very relaxing place.

THE ARCHITECTS Nick RandaIl of BSRF The existing shell was a very particular half-arch with a small side space. It wasn't huge, but it was to be Chris's main residence, so we didn't want to split it up. There was also a potential roof terrace, but you could only get to it via a lower terrace and spiral staircase.

When we first met up to discuss the project, He came in with a book on Japanese Ferro concrete housing which was really refreshing because we knew he wasn't going to chicken out of doing something brave He wanted to keep the overall sense of openness as well, but needed it to work in several different ways: as a kitchen, dining room, dressing room, and music and recording room

To make this work, we designed a series of storage pods that glide in and out like giant filing cabinet drawers-they haven't got wheels because we didn't want to have wear marks on the floor. One provides hanging and shelf space, one houses kitchen and dining items and the third contains a mixing deck, hi-fi and record/CD storage. Pulling out any particular pod changes the room from one use to the next, and when they're put away you're back to the one large living space.

To keep it light and airy, the staircase treads are glass; a mix of etched glass, translucent screens, binds and louvers throughout subtly control natural light and monitor the views for privacy. A whole bay of the roof opens up above the sleeping deck and a glass bridge now links it to the terrace. The flat opens like a plant to the light and then closes to protect itself gently glowing at night.

DIY Architects brrokes stacey Rendall Fursdon,

The oversize bath, hi-fi speakers, Screens, shower-fitted with fibre-optic lights, storage pods, bed and sofas were all designed by the architects, who are happy to work to individual commissions.

BATHROOM stainless-steel bathroom sink 4OOmm Dia, £115.23, from Aston-Matthews; stainless-steel, wall-mounted Guardian toilet £650 excl seat, from Sissons; sleek, ultra-minimal taps, £331 from Vola UK.

Lights Tolormeo Lettura lights by Artemide, £209, From Atrium Other Lights are from Iguzzini Goncord Sylvania and Erco Lighting.

FLOORS Barcelona Green stone floor in bathroom and shower, £49 sqm, from Stone Age. Birch-faced plywood flooring, seen through out approx"1 250 sqm, from Schauman.

FURNITURE Most pieces were purpose-built hut there are several exceptions: Butterfly dining chairs in beech by Ame Jacobsen. £152, from Dovetail Contract Furniture; Nomos dining table, 1,2oomm Dia, £2070, from Tecno; and the Low, easy Lima chair by jasper Morrison £175, from Sep

Text: Michelle ogundehrn Photographs: James Merreil

And a Special thanks To Carlos For Sending me these Pictures..