Moon House
A Kensington townhouse, designed for two art
collectors, has undergone a complete renovation, with the addition of a
three-storey rear extension. The
design balances the practical needs of a functional home with the character of
an art gallery.
The homeowners, long-time residents of East London, commissioned Office S&M Architects to transform their dark and dated Victorian townhouse in Kensington into a vibrant, art-filled space, that functions both as a home and a place to showcase their art collection. The clients wanted to, in their words “bring East London cool to West London”.
The
dense arrangement of terraced houses and the home's north-facing orientation
posed challenges in maximising natural light and amenity space. To address these site constraints, the renovation
introduces a series of lanterns throughout the house to bring natural light
deep into the plan. A rooflight, supported by a tessellated glulam structure, brings natural
light into the ground floor living areas while also creating a spacious terrace
at first floor level that provides the homeowners with a private outdoor garden
space. At the top of the house, a skylight met by a curved soffit bathes
the stairwell in gentle light, creating an inviting atmosphere that draws you
up through the house.
The homeowners saw the project as an opportunity to commission East London designers and artists to create bespoke pieces for their home. As avid collectors, they envisioned a home that would not only showcase their collection but also function as a comfortable and practical living space. Everyday fixtures are replaced with custom-crafted pieces, like bespoke cast sinks and sculptural toilets, blending art with utility.
The homeowners saw the project as an opportunity to commission East London designers and artists to create bespoke pieces for their home. As avid collectors, they envisioned a home that would not only showcase their collection but also function as a comfortable and practical living space. Everyday fixtures are replaced with custom-crafted pieces, like bespoke cast sinks and sculptural toilets, blending art with utility.
‘It’s been an absolute joy to design, construct and finally live in Moon House, having found a truly collaborative and innovative partner in Office S&M - Catrina and team worked with a challenging footprint to design an unexpected yet practical space that meets our everyday needs while delighting around every corner.‘
Ollie and Marissa, Clients
The colour palette draws
inspiration from their collection, carefully designed to complement rather than
overshadow the artwork. Overhead lanterns, are designed to illuminate the
spaces without exposing the artworks to harsh sunlight. The result is a durable
and functional home alongside a curated gallery of independent makers, artists,
and craftspeople.
Throughout the project, narratives and stories are intricately embedded into the design. A north-facing fern and moss garden is framed by a terrazzo silhouette of a mountain range, a nod to the Spanish island where the couple married. Nearby, a folded mirror forms a glowing circle when viewed from the kitchen, evoking a setting moon at night. Slender trees positioned in the courtyard garden are designed to be viewed from both levels, creating continuity between the lower living spaces and the terrace above.
Throughout the project, narratives and stories are intricately embedded into the design. A north-facing fern and moss garden is framed by a terrazzo silhouette of a mountain range, a nod to the Spanish island where the couple married. Nearby, a folded mirror forms a glowing circle when viewed from the kitchen, evoking a setting moon at night. Slender trees positioned in the courtyard garden are designed to be viewed from both levels, creating continuity between the lower living spaces and the terrace above.
Meticulously
crafted joinery and clever storage solutions ensure practicality without compromising the home's airy, uncluttered
feel. Storage is discreetly
integrated into the darker corners of the home, maximising light and utility while maintaining a sense of openness. Inside, a striking
burnt orange wall folds along the ground floor, winding up the staircase,
forming a cohesive ribbon of colour.
Moon House is both a functional home and a living gallery, showcasing a collection of art, objects and stories. Each space is carefully curated to celebrate creativity and craftsmanship while meeting the practical needs of everyday life. The result is a home that is comfortable, inspiring and deeply personal.
To read in more detail about how we transform the homes of our residential clients, please click here.
Moon House is both a functional home and a living gallery, showcasing a collection of art, objects and stories. Each space is carefully curated to celebrate creativity and craftsmanship while meeting the practical needs of everyday life. The result is a home that is comfortable, inspiring and deeply personal.
To read in more detail about how we transform the homes of our residential clients, please click here.
Detaile
Location: Kensington, LondonProject: Residential refurbishment and extensions
Client: Private
Completed: January 2025
Team
Architect: Office S&M ArchitectsContractor: IC&T Projects
Photographer: Felix Speller
Building Control: Clarke Banks
MEP: P3R
Engineers: Shire Consulting
Landscape: AARDE and FFLO
CDM: CDRM Services
Kitchen Surfaces: Durat
Furniture: Fred Rigby
Toilets: Trone