Allen Mansions

Beyond an extensive refurbishment this project is about the creation of a new beautiful garden space and a renewed street image in the heart of Kensington.

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Client:	Private
Type:	Residential
Value:	£0-500k
Date:	2016
Size:	0-1000sqm
Status:	Completed
Location:	London, UK
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The internal and external common parts of a significant old Kensington brewery had been converted into residential units just off High Street Kensington in central London were tired and in need of a significant upgrade.

The brief for the practice, in collaboration with Tamiko Onozawa, beyond the refurbishment of the internal common parts was to come up with a scheme that dramatically improved the usability of the common spaces (particularly external) and the image of Allen Mansions from the street.

The design proposal was focused around three areas: the entrances, the elevated external courtyard and the internal circulation.

The project transformed the whole arrival and entry sequence from the street to create an impressive, accessible, light and open feel to the main, secondary and garage entrances.

The new main entrance is an attractive light box, with large windows and glazed doors, light limestone and beautiful LED pendant lights.

The design also made a significant difference in the external courtyard situated at first floor level over the garages below. Used as distribution space for access to the rear residential blocks, it has been transformed from a dull grey waterproofing expanse into a beautifully elegant landscaped garden.

The new courtyard is a delicate composition of decked walkways, green planted ground cover and specimen plants in ornamental bark on three levels, creating a garden to walk past in the centre, a contemplation garden to the north and a leisure garden to the south for people to spend time reading, socializing or simply enjoying the sun.

The contemporary courtyard landscape design creates a valued tranquil space in the heart of Kensington and at the centre of the residential blocks.

Below we have paired images to record "before" and "after". It is exciting to see the difference this project made to our clients’ daily lives.