Design Research Studio presents its avant-garde take on a collector's home for the penthouse apartments at One Park Drive in London.
Since 2007, Tom Dixon and Helene Bangsbo Andersen have been creating the spaces and objects of tomorrow through Design Research Studio. This innovation consultancy readily embraces the role of a research and design laboratory thanks to its radical vision. With the duplex penthouses at One Park Drive, the duo has implemented a bold concept intended as "an avant-garde incarnation of a collector's home, breaking with conventional show apartments." The residences are located in a residential skyscraper designed by Herzog & de Meuron, in the heart of London's Canary Wharf district. "Too many show apartments have a particular design aesthetic," explains Helene Bangsbo Andersen. "Here, we decided to imagine the space through the character of an international collector, a seasoned traveler and lover of architecture, who has decided to make London his place of residence, a city rich in art and design collectibles acquired over the years by a discerning eye."
Fluid volumes and futuristic touches
The two-level interiors, accessed by a spiral staircase, have the feel of a gallery, showcasing a play of materials, textures, and forms. The unusual layout of the space allows for a deliberately fluid circulation, without corridors or wasted areas. "This unconventional open layout required an unusual design response.""The whole thing is in harmony with the cylindrical geometry of the building," explains Tom Dixon, "like the DS-600 sofa by the Swiss brand De Sede, which follows the curve of the windows. From the entrance, visitors are greeted by a Stack LED light fixture in the shape of a geometric tower, designed by Design Research Studio. The rooms then showcase an incredible selection of furniture and objects by iconic 20th-century designers."e century, like Arne Bang, Alvar Aalto, Ingo Maurer, Verner Panton, Tobia Scarpa, Frans Vossen.
Ambitious expression
The firm consolidates its manufacturing expertise through works of art and bespoke furniture, while also demonstrating a strong interest in woodworking, natural materials, industrial materials, and highly stylized accessories (such as the Poul Henningsen piano). This apartment project thus serves as a "testing ground" for both revisiting classic designs and creating prototypes that reflect new ways of working and entertaining. "A space can just as easily become a place where music is played, where people dance, as a meeting place.", emphasizes Helene Bangsbo Andersen. Through its unique narrative, this concept of the Collector's House infuses the spirit of the place, creating a true cohesion between art, design, decoration and architecture.
Photo credits © Peer Lindgreen
Photo credits © Robert Rieger
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