We were approached in 2018 to create designs for the refurbishment of a double fronted Grade 11 Listed Georgian Crescent House in South London. The brief was to reinterpret the internal layout of the house for a growing creative family. Traditionally the kitchen was located in the ancillary spaces on the lower ground floor, however these had a poorer quality of natural light and a more limited head height. The brief was to bring the kitchen, dining and living spaces up to the principal reception room spaces. Tall floor to ceiling heights, good quality daylight and strong principal views across the crescent and gardens made the upper ground floor spaces much more compatible with modern family living.
Listed building consent was a challenge and at first the application was recommended for refusal due to the relocation of the kitchen from its historic location to the upper ground floor level. A robust case was presented and at the final hour the application’s recommendation was overturned and listed building consent granted.
The approach to the design looked to reinstate the original features of the house whilst introducing classic fixtures and fittings throughout. The Client was very involved in the curated approach to both furniture and lighting, with key pieces of furniture being considered from very early on in the design process. We sought to blend minimalist interiors with subtle textures and varying colours to create distinct but versatile spaces.
Work spaces evolve into social spaces, which also open up to become somewhere for children to be creative, be it painting or playing music. The kitchen design was to provide a cooking space where the kitchen cabinets were lifted off the floor and feel like arrangements of free standing furniture. Cooking takes place on a stove as well as the range.
As the house is at the end of the circus the plan is splayed which proved to be challenging in the setting out of the floor finishes. New oak floors with a wenge border detail wrap around each room, creating a central herringbone carpet. The non-original fireplace surrounds were replaced with period stone surrounds. Contemporary furniture and fittings were thoughtfully designed into each space to celebrate the Client’s love of furniture design classics collection.
The building was designed and delivered by Fraher & Findlay Architects and their in house construction team. This ensured that every design detail was carefully considered and executed by the RIBA Chartered Design and Build Team. Attention to detail needed to be exacting to ensure the lifespan of the building well into the 21st and 22nd Century.
