Kingsway Place saw the refurbishment of a Grade-II building that had previously been converted into two flats into an elegant new single private residence.

Originally the cookery and laundry teaching facility of a nearby Victorian school, the building retained much of its historic charm in spite of the previous conversion, and it was important to the client that this be preserved, whilst also providing modern luxuries and an improvement to the space’s circulation.

The resulting design demonstrates a well-thought out balancing act of mixing the modern with the historic. Removing all traces of the previous conversion, the layout and spatial organisation were rendered more functional, creating a continuous walk through the rooms to the upper floor. Uniting the building. The original timber roof has been retained, and all the living areas have generous proportions with high ceilings, an element drawn from the building’s historic character. This feature is particularly stunning in the expansive first floor main living area with its double height space, original queen post trusses, and carefully placed spotlights. On the ground floor, the private rooms are smaller in scale yet retain the high-spec look desired by the client.

Overall, Kingsway Place demonstrates how heritage and contemporary design can sit harmoniously side-by-side; a high-end residence which fits the style of its owner and an enjoyable place to call home.

Materials for the project were carefully chosen throughout. The client was keen for Kingway Place to provide a high-end hotel aesthetic, and the Noir St. Laurent marble used on the walls and floors of the luxurious en-suite double bathrooms to the master and guest bedrooms contributed to this look. Wood was also used as a key element of the material palette to soften and create warmth in materiality throughout the property, including newly-installed chevron timber flooring, the base for the bathroom vanity, and most notably the bespoke built-in joinery piece which extends across the whole wall beside the original staircase, providing storage, display and desk space.

The project also addressed the environmental issues that can sometimes affect buildings of this age. The original Victorian windows have been retained but improved internally through repainting and draught-proofing, with new automated blinds and curtains fitted, and latest smart technology allows the owner to monitor and control the environmental conditions within the property from any location.

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