design et al are delighted to announce that Honky have been shortlisted for Residential £1-2.5 Million (Project by Value) Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2019.
This project involved the repurposing and furnishing of the ‘jewel in the crown’ apartment in this landmark development. As the largest apartment in this historic redevelopment, the brief for Honky Design was to ensure its appeal as a unique and luxurious family home. Paramount was to complement the neo-classical architecture whilst incorporating the technological essentials of modern living. The cool, clean lines of Sir Edwin Coopers building, tie in effortlessly with a contemporary, pared-back aesthetic. The scheme acknowledges the buildings historic credentials but is no slave to them.
The original library was repurposed as a dramatic entrance lobby, more akin to a grand country hotel. The restoration of the panelling (now incorporating a secret door) and heavily gilded plasterwork ceiling mean that a sense of arrival is guaranteed. The monumental proportions of the Colonnade room were originally daunting for all concerned & its listed status threw up a myriad of details that needed to be worked through and refined.
Honky Design’s first task was to reimagine this space separated into more residential scaled areas, whilst keeping the overall impact of this impressive room. The bespoke room dividers provide 3x distinct reception areas each centred on 48-lamp chandeliers. The joinery’s warm tones sits against the dark chestnut herringbone floor and provides the perfect contrast to the honey tones of the original Portland stone walls.
The soft furnishings and furniture specified throughout add a luxurious layer to the hard finishes, adding warmth, texture and personality. The home incorporates a self-contained 2-bedroom apartment with its own outside space, providing truly flexible accommodation for the owners.
Honky Design’s involvement helped reimagine what was previously a public space into a stunning residential interior. A light touch was required for this sensitive project, whose success is based on the questioning and refining of every detail. The result is the successful blending of the best of old and new. A truly unique apartment repurposed for the next 100 years.