ENGLAND - LONDON
Design Research Studio presents its avant-garde version of a collector's home for the penthouse apartments at One Park Drive, 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 willingly assumes the role of research and design laboratory with its radical vision. With the duplex penthouses at One Park Drive, the duo have created an audacious concept that aims to be "an avant-garde incarnation of a collector's home, breaking away from conventional show apartments". The homes 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 would have decided to make London his home, rich in collectible art and design acquired over
the years by a discerning eye."
FLUID VOLUMES AND FUTURIST TOUCH
The two-storey interiors, accessed by a spiral staircase, have a "gallery" feel, displaying a play of materials,
textures and shapes. The atypical configuration of the premises offers a deliberately fluid circulation, with no corridors or lost spaces. "This unconventional, open layout called for an unusual design response," explains Tom Dixon. The whole is in harmony with the
cylindrical geometry of the building, like the DS-600 sofa by Swiss brand De Sede, which follows the curve of the windows. Upon entering, visitors
are greeted by a Stack LED luminaire in the shape of a geometric tower, designed by Design Research Studio. The rooms then move on to
an incredible selection of furniture and objects by iconic 20th-century designers such as Arne Bang, Alvar Aalto, Ingo Maurer, Verner Panton,
Tobia Scarpa and Frans Vossen.
AMBITIOUS EXPRESSION
The firm consolidates its manufacturing skills through artworks and bespoke furniture, just as it demonstrates a strong interest in woodwork, natural materials, industrial materials and highly stylized accessories (Poul Henningsen's piano). The apartment project thus serves as a "test bed" for both revisiting classic models and creating prototypes that reflect new ways of working and entertaining. "A space can just as easily become a place to play music or dance, as a meeting place," emphasizes Helene Bangsbo Andersen. Through its singular narrative, this Maison du Collectionneur concept infuses
the spirit of the place, creating a genuine cohesion between art, design, decoration and architecture.
