Architecture News

Hayhurst and Co, a London-based design firm, has masterfully reimagined the Hampstead Town House, infusing its interior with contemporary flair while meticulously preserving its iconic 1970s exterior. This ambitious project centered on creating a dramatic triple-height void that links multiple floors, fundamentally altering the spatial experience of the North London residence. The transformation emphasizes a seamless integration of old and new, celebrating both the building's historical roots and its modernized functionality. Through careful planning and innovative design, the architects successfully carved out new dimensions within the existing structure, demonstrating a profound respect for the original design by architects Igal Yawetz and Howard Radley.

The meticulous overhaul extended to every corner of the residence, from the revitalized brickwork of the facade to the diverse materials used in the interior, including cherry timber, reclaimed parquet, and marble. The introduction of various staircase designs, each serving a unique aesthetic and functional purpose, stands as a testament to the project's intricate craftsmanship. Beyond aesthetics, the renovation incorporates advanced environmental upgrades such as an air-source heat pump and internal insulation, aligning the historic structure with modern sustainability standards. This sensitive yet bold revitalization ensures the Hampstead Town House remains a beacon of architectural excellence, balancing heritage with innovative living.

Reimagining Interior Spaces with a Triple-Height Void

The core of the Hampstead Town House's renovation involved the strategic removal of floor sections to introduce a soaring 7.8-meter-high, triple-height void. This architectural intervention fundamentally reshaped the home's internal landscape, transforming what was once a confined entrance into an expansive sequence of interconnected spaces. This dramatic void now links the lower ground, ground, and first floors, creating an open and fluid living environment that enhances light penetration and visual connectivity throughout the residence. This bold design choice not only modernizes the home's layout but also pays homage to the modernist principles of spaciousness and natural light.

A notable aspect of this spatial reorganization is the transformation of the lower-ground floor, formerly a compact garage, into a striking double-height dining room. Adjacent to this, the kitchen is thoughtfully positioned a few steps below, integrating seamlessly with the dining area. The dining room, significantly taller than its width, boasts a distinctive folded timber ceiling and an angled mirrored wall. This ingenious design element reflects natural light and the surrounding greenery into the room, creating an illusion of expanded space and brightness. Inspired by Adolf Loos' American Bar, this design decision underscores a commitment to both aesthetic innovation and functional improvement, making the dining area a vibrant and inviting heart of the home.

Diverse Staircase Designs and Material Harmony

The Hayhurst and Co project in Hampstead Town House meticulously incorporated five distinct types of staircases, each crafted to suit its specific location and purpose within the renovated five-story dwelling. From a grand solid marble staircase connecting the entrance to the dining area to robust solid timber steps linking the kitchen and dining space, every ascent and descent becomes a deliberate design statement. A lighter, more open staircase ascends through the central void from the ground floor, ingeniously designed to maximize daylight penetration and maintain an airy feel across the levels. This variety in staircase design not only addresses practical circulation needs but also adds significant architectural character, guiding residents and visitors through a curated journey of discovery within the home.

Beyond the innovative staircases, the interior of the Hampstead Town House is a rich tapestry of carefully selected materials, demonstrating a harmonious blend of textures and tones. The use of cherry timber cladding, reclaimed parquet, walnut, and marble creates an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere. Oak accents further enhance the natural warmth and timeless elegance of the spaces. Custom-designed furniture pieces, created in collaboration with skilled cabinetry makers, ensure that every element complements the overall design ethos. Furthermore, original details such as distinctive window handles were thoughtfully retained, and tiles from the former sunken bathroom were ingeniously repurposed into a new ground-floor handbasin, showcasing a commitment to material re-use and the preservation of the home's unique history. The seamless integration of these diverse materials and thoughtful details exemplifies the project's dedication to both aesthetic appeal and sustainable practices.

BDP Architecture has successfully completed a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical research facility in Shanghai, China. This expansive campus, spanning 186,000 square meters, was conceived for the Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group, a prominent pharmaceutical entity in China. Situated within the Hongqiao International Central Business District, the design draws its inspiration from the intricate process of cell division, featuring interconnected structures linked by elegant glass-covered walkways. This innovative layout aims to cultivate an environment conducive to groundbreaking research and collaborative endeavors, while also offering a welcoming space for both its employees and the broader community.

BDP's Innovative Pharmaceutical Research Campus Redefines Collaboration and Design in Shanghai

In the vibrant city of Shanghai, specifically within the bustling Hongqiao International Central Business District, architectural firm BDP has unveiled a visionary pharmaceutical research campus for the Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group. This monumental 186,000-square-meter facility, home to one of China's pharmaceutical leaders, showcases a design deeply rooted in biological principles. The campus comprises two pairs of interconnected buildings, visually echoing the dynamic process of cell division through their strategic arrangement and the transparent skybridges that link them. This unique architectural approach not only facilitates seamless movement and interaction among researchers but also provides adaptable floor plans, essential for the evolving demands of modern laboratory work.

The campus is thoughtfully segmented, featuring dedicated research buildings, one of which is adjoined by staff accommodation, while the other connects to a more imposing administrative tower. This administrative building, standing as the highest point on the site, serves as a prominent landmark and focal point for the entire headquarters, further enhanced by an adjacent conference center. Tianyi Gu, a director at BDP, emphasized the project's philosophy, stating that it represents a research campus that engages with its urban surroundings and its occupants. The central green space, accessible to the public, along with meticulously planned buildings, harmonizes research, collaboration, and daily life.

A distinguishing feature of the campus is its elevated skybridge, which gracefully curves across the site, uniting all structures and offering a variety of indoor and outdoor venues for meetings and social interaction. To promote staff well-being and work-life balance, the lower levels of the buildings house amenities such as cafes, a canteen, and a gymnasium. The deliberate configuration of the four main blocks was intended to segment the vast campus into distinct, manageable zones. Gu further elaborated on the firm's focus on elements that significantly enhance the daily experiences of employees, including ample natural light, fresh air, designated areas for dining and exercise, and tranquil spaces for reflection away from the laboratory. This design philosophy positions the CTTQ research campus as a adaptable hub for innovation and a deeply human-centered environment, intrinsically linked to the essence of Shanghai.

Beyond its aesthetic and functional brilliance, the campus incorporates robust passive design strategies. These include sophisticated natural ventilation systems, façade solar shading, and custom-designed façades tailored to varying orientations and functions. The integration of Low-E glass significantly boosts energy efficiency, while a striking array of photovoltaic panels on the rooftop not only generates sustainable energy but also contributes to the campus's unique visual identity. This project stands as a testament to integrating advanced scientific research with thoughtful, sustainable, and human-centric architectural design.

The innovative architectural design of the CTTQ research campus by BDP provides a compelling blueprint for future scientific and corporate environments. Its ability to seamlessly blend functional demands with artistic expression, drawing inspiration from natural phenomena like cell division, suggests a new paradigm for how workplaces can foster creativity and collaboration. The emphasis on community engagement, with publicly accessible green spaces and integrated social amenities, challenges traditional notions of enclosed research facilities, promoting a more open and interactive approach. Furthermore, the incorporation of advanced sustainable design principles, such as natural ventilation, solar shading, and photovoltaic technology, highlights a commitment to environmental stewardship. This project demonstrates that cutting-edge research facilities can be both aesthetically inspiring and ecologically responsible, setting a high standard for future developments in the global architectural landscape.