Buns from home Sloane Square is a new storefront located in London’s prestigious Chelsea. Its quasi-victorian elevation bridges the visual gap between the 1960s building in which it is located and the surrounding conservation area.
With only 8m2 of interior space, this small retail unit in Sloane Square is a careful balancing act. The volume is efficiently organized and encapsulates the homely intimacy of the bakery’s story and values. Located in a conservation area, it is also sensible about its architectural language.
The play on traditional joinery profiles results in a contemporary take on the typical Victorian storefront. The sash-window opens the store up to the street and its pedestrians. It welcomes people, anchoring the historically neglected South East corner of Sloane Square.
How does one turn one of the busiest corners of Sloane Square into a neighborhood pit-stop? Despite the high foot traffic, the client wanted this unit to feel like an oasis of calm. We did this through Architectural language. By establishing contrast between the building and the storefront, and conformity with the neighborhood’s heritage, we were able to make the storefront stand-out while historically contextualizing it.
The tube station was rebuilt a number of times, most recently in the early 1950s. The office building above (Sloane Square House) is slightly more recent, dating back to the 1960s. Both contrast heavily with the surrounding Sloane Square Conservation area, which is by-and-large a late Victorian enclave.
Since the building itself is not listed, we did not have any specific architectural or stylistic imperatives from the council. However, our client was keen on creating something playfully nostalgic, like picking up a cookie from your grandmother’s kitchen through the window. The bakery is called buns from home after all…
Timber is the main material used, namely Sapele Hardwood and Accoya wood. This building material helps the storefront distinguish itself from the building’s concrete frame and tiled finishes. It helps give the unit its hand-made quality, infusing this corner of Sloane Square with some much needed warmth and intimacy. Glass is also very present, but always carefully framed. Most of it is operable through different window systems, which we will go into more detail below.
The various window opening systems that animate the façade promote interactions between pedestrians and the business. The large sash window above the counter allows people to browse and order while the stable door pivots open to welcome deliveries and process payments. Above them, a top-hung window facilitates natural ventilation in the unit. The counter was designed with the same playful efficiency. Used for display and baking inside the unit, it also extends beyond, overhanging slightly above the sidewalk. As a result, the countertop becomes multi-functional: supplying a workable surface for the chefs and providing space outside for cups and elbows.
What results is a very interactive threshold: not just a window to the city, but a glimpse into the magic of London’s favorite Buns.
