Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects, in collaboration with Manuel Gonzalez and Vasilis Tsesmetzis, recently completed the refurbishment of a central London apartment situated in a late Victorian building just minutes away from Hyde Park. Project’s main goals was to improve the suboptimal circulation and to increase the limited natural light penetration into the main areas. 

Spanning along the Ground and Lower Ground Floors, the apartment presented initial challenges with its suboptimal circulation and limited natural light penetration into the main areas. Moreover, the Lower Ground Floor suffered from cramped rooms and poor circulation.

The primary aim of the project was to establish a seamless connection between the Ground Floor Living Room and the Lower Ground Floor Kitchen, while relocating the two bedrooms to each side of the Lower Ground Floor to take advantage of the front and rear lightwells.

In the design approach, great care was taken to preserve the cherished character of the apartment’s traditional and longstanding original features. The goal was to honor the history of the building while seamlessly integrating contemporary design elements.

The staircase links the Living Room to the Kitchen and acts as the main focal point of the house. The solid oak fin balustrades extend from the ceiling of the Ground Floor all the way down to the Kitchen worktop. The stair steps are made out of MDF and light oak veneer and create a seamless connection with the Kitchen worktop at the point they meet. By incorporating the dark oak materials of the staircase into the Kitchen joinery, a sense of unity and continuity is achieved, aligning with the initial design vision.

These meticulous details not only visually differentiate the Living Room from the staircase but also establish a harmonious relationship with the vertical proportions of both the Living Room and the Kitchen, resulting in a cohesive design.

The Lower Ground Floor rooms, were strategically reconfigured at opposite ends of the floor plan. Access through a hidden door in the Kitchen, the front bedroom enjoys direct access to the front lightwell, as well as an open en-suite and dressing room. Meanwhile, a long corridor with spacious custom made wardrobes, leads to the expansive main bathroom and the rear bedroom of the apartment.

Original features such as the cornice, skirtings and front bay window panelling, were meticulously restored to honour the era of the house. To enhance the grandeur of the Ground Floor Living Room, new MDF wall panelling were introduced, featuring a light beige colour scheme.

The staircase, crafted from dark oak timber, serves as a contemporary addition that accentuates the modern additions while facilitating a seamless flow to the Lower Ground Floor Kitchen. The custom-made joinery throughout the apartment also showcases the same dark oak timber, adding a sense of cohesion.

With its minimalistic design and abundant natural light, the apartment offers a tranquil and aspirational living space in the heart of central London. 

Credits & Details

Project: Knightsbridge apartment
Category: Apartment’s refubrishment
Location: Knightsbridge, London
Client: Square One Partners
Architects: Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects
Collaborators: Manuel Gonzalez Nogueira, Vassilis Tsesmetzis
Contractor: Coldrum Group
Photographer: Guy Archard