Brompton Cross, London, SW3
2010

We were approached to design a new penthouse to this prominently located but tired 1962 residential block on Brompton Cross in South Kensington.  Because of the complex ownership structure of the building, demolishing the entire structure was considered untenable.  We proceeded on the basis that a planning permission for a new floor would only be given consent if it would improve the appearance of the original building.  Planning permission for the penthouse was secured. 

The new penthouse’s cantilevered roof enhances the horizontal language established by the existing building’s expressed floor plates.  The envelope of the penthouse is fully glazed.  Where internal arrangements called for solid walls, the external glass was back-painted to provide a uniformly reflective surface.  The perimeter of the wrap around terrace is formed with a ‘green’ balustrade of stainless steel wire boxes containing greenery.