Inside a former Victorian school cookery given a new hotel-luxe style - Grand Designs Magazine

Inside a former Victorian school cookery given a new hotel-luxe style

Take a tour of this former cooking and laundry school turned contemporary apartment in Clerkenwell, London.

By Hugh Metcalf |

Once split into two flats, architects reinstated this home’s grand proportions and original features for a charming, modern take on apartment living.

victorian school conversion - gpad london exterior - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker

Once the cookery and laundry teaching facility of a nearby Victorian school, this historic building in London’s Clerkenwell had been previously converted into two flats. However with a new owner looking to connect the two spaces to create one spacious house, gpad london were drafted in to complete this intensive renovation.

Double-height living spaces

victorian school conversion - gpad london kitchen and mezzanine - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker 

Repairing and retaining as many of the original features as possible was a key to the brief, as was creating flow between these previously disconnected spaces. An open-plan living space has been created with a modern, but compact kitchen, above which sits a mezzanine level.

victorian school conversion - gpad london double height living room - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker 

The original vaulted roof has been kept, as have the queen post timber trusses – a characterful feature in the double height living spaces. This rich, warm wood is a running theme throughout, including the newly installed chevron wooden flooring. In contrast, the furniture is modern, sleek and understated.

The original windows have all been kept, but repainted and draught proofed, as well as fitted with automated blinds and curtains, to give them new life.

Once split into two flats, architects reinstated this home’s grand proportions and original features for a charming, modern take on apartment living.

victorian school conversion - gpad london exterior - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker

Once the cookery and laundry teaching facility of a nearby Victorian school, this historic building in London’s Clerkenwell had been previously converted into two flats. However with a new owner looking to connect the two spaces to create one spacious house, gpad london were drafted in to complete this intensive renovation.

Double-height living spaces

victorian school conversion - gpad london kitchen and mezzanine - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker 

Repairing and retaining as many of the original features as possible was a key to the brief, as was creating flow between these previously disconnected spaces. An open-plan living space has been created with a modern, but compact kitchen, above which sits a mezzanine level.

victorian school conversion - gpad london double height living room - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker 

The original vaulted roof has been kept, as have the queen post timber trusses – a characterful feature in the double height living spaces. This rich, warm wood is a running theme throughout, including the newly installed chevron wooden flooring. In contrast, the furniture is modern, sleek and understated.

The original windows have all been kept, but repainted and draught proofed, as well as fitted with automated blinds and curtains, to give them new life.

Image: Tim Crocker 

Hotel-luxe master suite

The master and guest bedroom suites are located on the ground floor, with luxurious ensuite double bathrooms. The bathrooms are clad in dramatically-veined Noir St. Laurent marble, specified by gpad.

victorian school conversion - gpad london bedroom - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker 

Where windows span full height, recesses have been made between levels with the window dressings running through. While stripping out the building, original stoves were discovered, reinstated and reused as fireplaces for the new house.

Re-instating flow

victorian school conversion - gpad london exterior - grand designs

Image: Tim Crocker

The original staircase has been kept, beside an exposed brick wall and a bespoke built-in joinery piece that provides storage, display and desk space. The joinery is intricately detailed, with recessed lighting added.

 

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