Hackney Central, London
The client was seeking to combine two adjacent apartments into one large open plan gallery space in which to showcase his collection of designer modernist furniture and fittings. The display items were in constant rotation as he continued to buy and sell pieces via auctions and private dealers – the solution was to create a versatile continuous gallery space that could accommodate different arrangements / sizes of furniture.
The showroom space formed the core of the layout, formed as a series of smaller spaces that could be sectioned off with freestanding units to create more intimate display zones. Private rooms would be served off this open space, and could be closed off whenever potential buyers visited, or completely opened up with sliding / folding doors for when used as a residence.
In keeping with the modernist style of his collection, a pared back approach was taken aesthetically – surfaces were kept plain and understated, all personal possessions apart from collectible pieces would be hidden in discrete storage, with television/appliances concealed in walls and kitchen tucked away behind a minimal upstand.
The material palette was similarly pared back; muted wood tones were combined with off-whites and satin steel, to create a ‘neutral shell’ gallery environment in which the display items can take precedence.
Design Architect: Marco Curtaz
Collaborations: Karbassi Engineering, Vitrocsa