London II / Fernanda Marques Arquitetos Associados

September 14, 2016

Architects: Fernanda Marques Arquitetos Associados
Area: 830.0 sqm
Year: 2015
Photographs: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Manufacturers: Adrian Sassoon, Agape Casa, B&B Italia, Boffi, Carpenters Workshop Gallery, David Gill Galleries, Dornbracht, Flexform, Gallery Libby Sellers, Minotti, Mint Shop, Suite Master, Tai Ping

Text description provided by the architects. A haven for a young couple of art collectors and their two children to relax, coexist in harmony with their collection of works of art and design and feel at home in, right in the centre of London.

This is, in short, the brief Brazilian architect Fernanda Marques was given by the owners of this property, located at the end of a tranquil square in cosmopolitan London’s Belgravia.

“I retrofitted the triplex penthouse. My clients wanted ideal conditions for displaying their extensive art and furniture collection. My greatest challenge was to find the balance between the collection of works of art, prominently sculptural furniture and the everyday of a home”, explains Fernanda.

More than any other project this one required from the architect a thorough study of the materials and colours used in the interiors so as to ensure there would be enough wall surfaces as well as bright and open spaces.

Differently from the property’s original layout – with strong divisions between private and common areas – the interior was redesigned as large interconnected spaces, limiting doors to the indispensible ones.

And so on the first floor are two suites, including the master bedroom – and soundproofing was enhanced. On the middle floor are the media room, the children’s suite and a guest suite. On the top floor are the kitchen, dining and living rooms.

As the couple are art collectors – and own, among others, works by Adriana Varejão and Zhang Huan- the lighting for the apartment received much attention.

Dayling, in turn, filtered by the windows that overlook the square, helps create a continuous, practically uninterrupted flow of spaces, where the owners’ vigorous art collection creates, at the same time, a unique and private atmosphere.