design et al are thrilled to announce the successful shortlist for PEEK Architecture + Design for the City Space Award in the ID&A Awards 2015.
The property is a grade II listed building at 409-410 the Strand, and had been empty and neglected since the 1980’s. The clients were among many who had viewed the building, but the only ones who were brave and inspired enough to take on the long and complex road for its restoration. The building used to be the ostentatious, private dining rooms for the Adelphi Theatre, and was owned by the famous entrepreneurs, the Gatti brothers, hence it was named Gatti House. After 2 years of planning applications and working closely with Westminster City Council, a scheme was permitted for the resurrection of the interiors and extensions to the rear and roof levels.
This penthouse is among four apartments and a restaurant which was installed in the existing building with its new roof and rear extensions and this penthouse apartment, known as apartment 4, is housed in an additional roof storey. Any modern interventions were executed in a sympathetic manner and are largely unseen, and this new modern penthouse storey to the main building has additional insulation, generous glazing and is tucked away, hidden from the street views. The clients were encouraged to invest in a living green wall for the rear light well to improve air quality to nearby windows. The brief was to create a unique apartment, with elements harking back to the buildings theatrical history. The feature staircase and glass floor panel work well joining the spaces vertically and the large sliding doors give panoramic views.
It creates a haven in this busy location, and mixes the classic and the contemporary well. The generous and cosy bedrooms all lead onto ensuites, where different stones and textures have been mixed in original ways.