Just North of the River Thames and barely a mile away from Buckingham Palace, the British architects APALondon took on the conversion of an old 1930’s shoe factory/warehouse and created a remarkably livable residence. Blending an artistic sensibility with classic English austerity, the Clerkenwell Residence balances the harsher aspects of a factory with soft fabrics and varied lighting to emphasize the warmer aspects of a home.
The large factory windows set the theme for the home. Still maintaining the mechanical pivoting system that allows them to be opened in unison for ventilation the windows enlarge the look of each section. Wrapped around a central cube, which houses the bathroom, library archives, and a laundry room, the various sections all look out onto the world. There is a reading room and work area. Another side offers a kitchen and one more side is dedicated to socializing. While the cube separates each part of the house, it still maintains a fluid and continuous living space.
The selection of furniture, wall screens and color blend into one harmonious balance between light and shadow and add a pleasing texture and flow to this inner city apartment.
