Project: Private House
Location: High Street Kensington, London
Completed: 2020
Floor Area: 4,250 sq ft

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In the exclusive area of High Street Kensington, working with the team at Bancroft Heath, we have designed a luxurious private residential home.

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Built in 1851 by Thomas Bridges, the house, like many of its neighbours, had, over the years, been extended and altered and it’s historical integrity diluted.

 

The team at Layzell Architects set about re-instating that integrity and creating a home that respected the buildings Victorian past, yet was relevant for its future. The aim was to enhance and compliment the original fabric and style of the building on the one hand, and embrace the additions and alterations on the other. All with the intention of creating something that felt cohesive and harmonious.

 

The design approach saw the introduction of a stylistic hierarchy articulated through the careful and subtle variation in detail, ranging from traditional to contemporary through a material palette of marble, brass, smoked oak and glass.

 

A sculptural stair featuring bespoke tapered steel spindles and carved oak handrail snakes from top to bottom through a breath-taking glass box to the rear of the property. The stunning three by six meter single pane of glass was manufactured and shipped directly from Switzerland and craned into place over the top of the house. There are five floors in total including a new basement housing wine room, gym, surround-sound cinema, and guest accommodation. The lower ground floor is a contemporary open plan space, housing the kitchen, dining and informal living room, as well as a burnished brass bar area. Connecting directly onto the courtyard garden this space is designed for seamless indoor outdoor living. At street level the ground floor is traditionally proportioned and detailed, featuring marble fire surrounds, oak herringbone floors and panelled walls. The bespoke marble entrance hall designed by Layzell Architects is a contemporary nod to the property’s Victorian heritage. The first floor houses the master suite. Entering through the dressing room the master bathroom features Italian crafted solid walnut vanity and honed Arabescato marble clad walls. All highlighted with solid brass tapware, hand milled in Sussex.

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The entire building has cutting-edge technology which allows the owner to control its systems remotely.

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The design is a masterpiece in blending heritage with contemporary to create a calm and tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, celebrating natural materials, light and clever architectural detailing.