Image: PEEK Architecture + Design
The built environment reflects and shapes how we live. These three approaches to contemporary architecture offer useful perspectives for Kensington House’s focus on London homes: flexible space, sustainability and a closer connection to nature.
Image: Rooftop Garden in Notting hill designed by Barlow & Barlow – Jonathan Bond
Image: House & Garden - Home Offices – Dean Hearne
Multifunctionality
Since the Covid pandemic, we have rethought how people use and think about their homes. Now that the ‘race for space’, which saw buyers temporarily shift their attentions to rural and coastal destinations, is over and there is a renewed eagerness for city living, we need to be aware of maximising the space within our properties. Creating multifunctional homes in London, where square footage comes at a premium, requires ingenuity and innovation. Dual purpose workspaces that also function as additional sleeping areas, sliding partition walls that create a flexible series of rooms within an open-plan space, built-in storage and seating and adjustable lighting systems that allow you to change the mood and atmosphere of a room with the flick of a switch are all techniques we employ to improve functionality within our properties.
Sustainability
Preserving and renovating period buildings can conserve London’s historic housing stock while improving comfort and performance. Reusing materials, considering insulation and glazing, and assessing efficient heating, ventilation and energy systems are important parts of a considered refurbishment.
The appropriate combination depends on the building, its condition, heritage constraints and professional assessment. Thoughtful design balances the character of a home with its future running costs.
Image: PEEK Architecture + Design
House & Garden: What is biophilic design and why does it matter – Michael Sinclair
Biophilic design
Biophilic design brings natural materials, daylight, planting and connections to outdoor space into a home. Views towards gardens, carefully planned windows and access to terraces can make a property feel more connected to its surroundings.
For London homes, the quality and usability of outdoor space matter as much as its size. A considered garden or terrace can extend the spaces available for everyday living.