Chiara Ferrari's transformation of a former photographic studio into a contemporary residential space
(Image credit: John Ross)
By Rosa Bertoli
last updated

Apartment 1: Clink Wharf
Chiara Ferrari's transformation of a former photographic studio into a contemporary residential space

We take you on a tour of three stand-out interiors, from the contemporary flat in Clink Wharf and the Tex-Tonic penthouse both in London, to the modernist make-over of an apartment in the iconic Louviera building in Sao Paulo.

Located on Clink Wharf, right by the Thames and off London's bustling Borough Market, designer Chiara Ferrari's latest interior work involved the transformation of a former photographic studio into a contemporary residential space.

The flat, a comfortable three-bedroom conversion, was designed around a central circulation axis -- the main corridor that leads the guest to the ample open plan living and dining area overlooking the river. The river is instantly visible through the corridor, living space and a large central opening towards the balcony. 'It reinforces and balances the geometry of the interior,' says Ferrari.

As well as acting as the flat's main focal point, the living spaces also feature a series of bespoke commissions. A solid walnut wood dinning table, a series of glossy lacquered wood cabinets, a kitchen island and a curved Corian splashback surface, were all specially designed to accompany the wharf flat's complete redesign.

Linked to the central corridor on both sides, are the flat's more private areas; two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a main bathroom and a guest room that doubles as a study area, cleverly making the most of the building's high ceilings. This represents Ferrari's approach throughout. The aim was to maximise the space as much as possible, so that nothing goes unused, so in a similar approach to the study, Ferrari used the bathroom's double height for storage space.

The young designer opted for a balanced combination of modern material and some of the industrial building's original features and textures. Elements like the existing structure's rough bare brick walls are contrasted throughout by the smooth Dinesen Douglas Fir flooring. The high-quality timber floor softens the interior and was treated as a key feature in the design, further highlighting the apartment's contemporary yet homely character.

Apartment 1: Clink Wharf, London

The flat, a comfortable three-bedroom conversion, was designed around a central circulation axis -- the main corridor that leads the guest to the ample open-plan living and dining area overlooking the river

The flat, a comfortable three-bedroom conversion, was designed around a central circulation axis -- the main corridor that leads the guest to the ample open-plan living and dining area overlooking the river

(Image credit: John Ross)

The river is instantly visible through the corridor, living space and a large central opening towards the balcony

The river is instantly visible through the corridor, living space and a large central opening towards the balcony. ’It reinforces and balances the geometry of the interior,’ says Ferrari

(Image credit: John Ross)

A solid walnut wood dinning table, a series of glossy lacquered wood cabinets

A solid walnut wood dinning table, a series of glossy lacquered wood cabinets...

(Image credit: John Ross)

A kitchen island and a curved Corian splashback surface

...a kitchen island and a curved Corian splashback surface, were all specially designed to accompany the wharf flat’s complete redesign

(Image credit: John Ross)

Linked to the central corridor on both sides, are the flat’s more private areas; two bedrooms

Linked to the central corridor on both sides, are the flat’s more private areas; two bedrooms..

(Image credit: John Ross)

with en-suite bathrooms

..with en-suite bathrooms..

(Image credit: John Ross)

A main bathroom

...a main bathroom..

(Image credit: John Ross)

Guest room that doubles as a study area

...and a guest room that doubles as a study area

(Image credit: John Ross)

Apartment 2: Louveira building, Sao Paulo

Designed by key representative of Brazilian modernism architect Vilanova Artigas with Carlos Cascaldi and built in 1946

Designed by key representative of Brazilian modernism architect Vilanova Artigas with Carlos Cascaldi and built in 1946, the Louveira building in Sao Paulo's Higienopolis district is one of the city's residential icons

(Image credit: John Ross)

Living room with sofa and coffee table

Due to the building’s high profile design credentials, young architecture practice AR.q were thrilled to be invited to redesign the interior of one of the apartments

(Image credit: John Ross)

Living room with sofa coffee table and bookshelf

The flat belongs to a couple of art professionals and their young family and is located on the building’s first floor, overlooking the entrance

(Image credit: John Ross)

Living room with sofa coffee table and bookshelf

Rethinking the interior the architects opened up one of the bedrooms and altogether removed one of the bathrooms to make way for a more comfortable living room

(Image credit: John Ross)

The added element that brings the design together is a white floor-to-ceiling bookshelf complex that characteristically runs through the whole flat, making its appearance in different parts of the house

The added element that brings the design together is a white floor-to-ceiling bookshelf complex that characteristically runs through the whole flat, making its appearance in different parts of the house

(Image credit: John Ross)

The bookshelves also assume different functions depending on the location; in the kitchen they act as cabinets

The bookshelves also assume different functions depending on the location; in the kitchen they act as cabinets...

(Image credit: John Ross)

In the living room they form a bar

...in the living room they form a bar

(Image credit: John Ross)

The flat also includes a separate glass-enclosed study room

The flat also includes a separate glass-enclosed study room

(Image credit: John Ross)

The window frames were restored to their original yellow colour

The window frames were restored to their original yellow colour

(Image credit: John Ross)

The entrance hall features a limited edition wallpaper by artist Thomas Demand produced for an exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery, London

The entrance hall features a limited edition wallpaper by artist Thomas Demand produced for an exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery, London

(Image credit: John Ross)

The existing wood parquet flooring distinguishes the flat’s main rooms, from the concrete-floor wet areas

The existing wood parquet flooring distinguishes the flat’s main rooms, from the concrete-floor wet areas

(Image credit: John Ross)

Living room with sofa and coffee table

Redesigned to fit the needs of 21st century living, but retaining its unique modernist character, the flat also houses the owners’ collection of Brazilian art, as well as furniture picked out by them in consultation with the architects

(Image credit: John Ross)

Apartment 3: Tex Tonic House, London

Tucked behind the mansion blocks and office slabs of Westminster, this new apartment occupies the eaves of a former Post Office depot, pushed up into the roof vaults and wrapped on one side by a narrow terrace and vertical garden

(Image credit: John Ross)

Paul McAneary, who once worked in John Pawson’s office, has tackled the client’s demands with gusto

Paul McAneary, who once worked in John Pawson’s office, has tackled the client’s demands with gusto

(Image credit: John Ross)

This is a generous space; there are few central London apartments that span the width of a city block, with a clear view from street to street from the living area to the south through to the kitchen in the north

This is a generous space; there are few central London apartments that span the width of a city block, with a clear view from street to street from the living area to the south through to the kitchen in the north

(Image credit: John Ross)

The most apparent and elaborate feature is the transparent wine cellar, suspended from the ceiling vault in a corridor of glass

The most apparent and elaborate feature is the transparent wine cellar, suspended from the ceiling vault in a corridor of glass. The client - a serious oenophile - is a major collector, but figured that rather than tuck away his future vintages in a below stairs cellar he’d prefer to keep things on display.

(Image credit: John Ross)

The result is a technical tour-de-force, a climate-controlled attic space that keeps over 3,000 bottles suspended on their sides - so the labels can be seen - on a series of finely tuned metal wires

The result is a technical tour-de-force, a climate-controlled attic space that keeps over 3,000 bottles suspended on their sides - so the labels can be seen - on a series of finely tuned metal wires. Concealed uplighting makes the bottles glow, turning the entire cellar into an installation

(Image credit: John Ross)

McAneary and his team have used the expansive floor area to play with scale and materials

McAneary and his team have used the expansive floor area to play with scale and materials

(Image credit: John Ross)

The entrance door - a vast slab of 200-year old Rhodesian Teak – stands nearly 4 metres high

The entrance door - a vast slab of 200-year old Rhodesian Teak – stands nearly 4 metres high

(Image credit: John Ross)

Wood-clad 'boxes' made from a combination of rough-cut oak, burnt, blackened timber and a cast-bronze cladding, conceal the bedroom suites

Wood-clad 'boxes' made from a combination of rough-cut oak, burnt, blackened timber and a cast-bronze cladding, conceal the bedroom suites

(Image credit: John Ross)

The 'boxes' are loosely inspired by the postal depot that once sat below

The 'boxes' are loosely inspired by the postal depot that once sat below

(Image credit: John Ross)

The bathrooms contain sky-lit showers and dramatic hand-cut lava stone walls

The bathrooms contain sky-lit showers and dramatic hand-cut lava stone walls

(Image credit: John Ross)

Technology in the apartment is pushed to the fore, such as the high-end enomatic wine dispenser in the kitchen

Technology in the apartment is pushed to the fore, such as the high-end enomatic wine dispenser in the kitchen

(Image credit: John Ross)

A delicate staircase leads up to the mezzanine level

A delicate staircase leads up to the mezzanine level

(Image credit: John Ross)

The slender mezzanine houses the wine cellar, a study and a discrete seating area, running around the L-shaped space at the highest point of the vaulted ceiling

The slender mezzanine houses the wine cellar, a study and a discrete seating area, running around the L-shaped space at the highest point of the vaulted ceiling

(Image credit: John Ross)
Rosa Bertoli

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.

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