Five Apartments, Kensington

This brief was established after an extended period of research and case study, in which the complexities of development in the Edwardes Square, Scarsdale & Abingdon conservation area were carefully scrutinised. It involved the demolition of a twentieth-century mixed-use development and the construction of a contemporary apartment building. All on a challenging site which, being enveloped on three sides by existing houses, had limited perimeter outlook.

The new development provides three duplex units across the basement and ground floors – each with generous gardens and lightwells – and two large apartments above. Exacting attention to detail was demonstrated in all aspects of the design, from the kitchens and the staircases to the cabinet fixtures and the windowsills, each evoking the pared-back simplicity and respect for materials which has come to distinguish the practice.

Making the case for the demolition of a ‘positive contributor’ building is uniquely challenging, irrespective of whether its intrinsic heritage value has been undermined through modifications and insensitive repairs. But the quality and contextuality of our design safeguarded that we received the appropriate consents from the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and could proceed with our newbuild proposals. The strong gable ends of the neighbouring buildings were echoed in the roofline of the building, restoring an Arts and Crafts rhythm to the previously disjointed street elevation.