Case Study: New Build Living Area In London

Case Studies

5 Feb

I feel that recently I neglected a bit the case studies in favour of the flooring series but I’m back with a case study from our London new build project, and more specifically its open plan living area.

The background story

A 45 m2 flat purchased by a female professional in her thirties.

This new build is part of a new development scheme, in South West London and so didn’t require any extensive, structural work.
Both the bathroom and kitchen had just been fitted with brand new units, appliances, sanitary and brassware, the owner liked them so we simply worked on integrating them seamlessly with the rest of the space.

The brief focused on creating a Feng Shui space, tailored to the owner’s lifestyle and personality, with the placements and choice of finishes, as well as addressing the south facing windows, overlooking the main road and generating considerable heat in the summer months.

The unit was in fact the show flat and below are the photos as advertised by the estate agent.

The process

By getting to know the client’s lifestyle, her aspirations, needs and likes, the initial brief was further refined.

At the concept stage, the general layout was issued as well as a mood board conveying the aesthetic direction taken.

*Open plan living area mood board - Concept Design*

Once both agreed with the client, the design was developed and technical drawings along with artistic visuals were provided.

*Layout in a an artistic render, showing the elevations as well*

*Various view of the proposed space, in an artistic render*

*Section showing the area for the sofa and dining area*

*Section to illustrate the windows treatments suggestions*

*Section for the dining area and windows treatments*

The Feng Shui Approach

The space being in an urban environment, the principles of modern Feng Shui were applied here and the bagua map was laid over the floor plan:

*The bagua house divides the space in nine “houses”, all influencing different parts of our lives and associated to different elements*

As you can see most of the open plan living was falling under four different houses: friends and travel, creativity and children, relationships, fame and reputation.

I actually think the flat found its owner as the way the layout was made was naturally in line with the bagua house!
Let me explain a bit more:

the friends and travel as well as the creativity corners are the houses of metal, and can therefore be enhanced by using metallic finishes, whites and round shapes. It was perfect here as the kitchen naturally has a lot of metal, the round white marble dining table works well from a layout perspective but also with the bagua!
Same for the fame and reputation house which is ruled by the fire element, the aerials were positioned in this area for the TV and it was perfect since electronics generate heat (= fire).
The last house was the relationship one, governed by the earth elements so whilst the teal sofa is a statement, the wood element is tuned down by plenty of earthy tones, and the canvas was specifically specified as a diptych to symbolise the interaction of two persons.