Formation Architects were appointed as Executive Architect, working in close collaboration with Collett- Zarzycki, Gumuchdjian Architects and seven additional interior designers to create seven super prime apartments and two villas within the retained walls of a former Edwardian school building, situated on Glebe Place, Chelsea, London.
The project is unusual in its size and scale with the Client choosing to work with seven signature interior designers through to a fully fitted and dressed scheme for each dwelling. Tom Stuart-Smith did the landscaping; he has won eight gold medals and three best in shows at Chelsea Flower Show. The 10 year project formed a closely collaborative team of designers and Architects. The discreet luxury development includes residences ranging in size from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet (an adjacent townhouse extends to 21,000 square feet); six individual swimming pools; a two-ton “guillotine” window—the largest of its kind in Europe; and one acre of land.
Anthony Collett, Founder of Collett-Zarzycki
Interior Designer
Formation Architects were appointed as Executive Architect to lead the complex construction delivery of nine residences in total. The Client chose to work with seven signature interior designers through to a fully fitted and dressed scheme for each dwelling, so a large part of our role was to coordinate and work in very close collaboration with the designers Collett-Zarzycki, Gumuchdjian Architects and seven additional interior designers, Tom Stuart-Smith was appointed to landscape the one acre of land.
Given the complexity of the project and large number of designers, contractors and engineers involved, not to mention the exceptionally high level of finish and specification for a such a Super Prime development, it required thousands of technical drawings to be created and every unique detail to be thoroughly thought through, discussed and coordinated with all the teams. Integrating the services into such a highly specified design and finish was a challenge, they have been carefully designed and integrated, so they appear to be invisible.
Alongside coordinating the design teams, we also worked in close collaboration with the main contractors Multiplex and structural engineers AKTII. The original Edwardian school has been extended and converted from the existing five-storey brick building into seven extensive luxury apartments; including a roof extension and excavation to form a subterranean and lower ground levels to accommodate plant, parking spaces and private leisure facilities, accessed via car lift. Significant elements of the existing brick façades have been maintained and restored.
This exceptional scheme posed many challenges. Formation Architects had a leading role to ensure that a smooth delivery of a such a highly bespoke property has run smoothly with design management being a key factor in our success in its final delivery.
At the same time, two new build single family homes, were constructed within the grounds. One of these features a two ton “guillotine” window – the largest of its kind in Europe.
This exceptional scheme posed many challenges. Formation Architects had a leading role to ensure that a smooth delivery of a such a highly bespoke property has run smoothly with design management being a key factor in our success in its final delivery.
Britta Harper, Client
