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This listed Victorian house in Knightsbridge is facing a large communal enclosed garden across the street. The renovation aims to bring into focus the relationship with these gardens and bring light into the previously dark interiors. They are stripped from all previous artificial finishes. The main feature becomes the entry condition.


The intervention employs one material that could achieve these multiple programmatic configurations: perforated steel plate, painted white: bent, it creates volumes and architectural elements yet retaining the character of a light screen.

The Wardian case was an early type of sealed protective container for plants. It found great use in the 19th century in protecting foreign plants imported to Europe from overseas and was invented by Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward of London, in 1829.

To create a visual continuity with the gardens outside, a “phytothèque” or plant wall was conceived: a series of geometric volumes interlocked. They function as planters, display for art, shelves and seating, inspired by Wardian cases. A gradual transition from the garden (plants) to the domestic (objects) is achieved in this sequence. 



The perforated steel plate further continues as a stair element and allows light to flow into the small kitchen area, becoming almost invisible. As a new wall, in the mezzanine level above the kitchen, it is broken into operable shutters. When used as a guest room the closed shutters shield the interior from view of the entryway meanwhile bringing light in. When used as a study they open up to the entry and garden view outside.



Color in the living area is used to bring into focus historic details and create a dialogue with warmer tones on the furniture selection. The floor is stripped to reveal original flooring. In the private areas, bedroom, dressing and bathroom, more subtle colors are employed again to create a play of texture and depth.

Scope
Renovation, Interior Design, Custom Furniture
Completion
2016
Location
Knightsbridge, London, England
Photography
Nicholas Worley