Few practices explore architecture with the holistic approach and fervent passion of Spink. The British company weaves together refined, contemporary design with the time-honed expertise of a master builder under the leadership of Mike Spink; and Little Gem, a single-family home in West London’s Kensington, is the studio’s latest offering.
‘It is minimal in design, generous in scale’, says Spink, explaining that this project is all about ‘subtle materials, thoughtful design and precision of execution’. The two bedroom home may appear bijoux at a fairly compact 191 sq m, but a philosophy of ‘less is more’ was strongly embedded in its concept right from the start.
Spanning three levels, with private areas on the bright lower ground floor and social spaces above, the interior flows, connected through a central, white, sculptural staircase. Its centrepiece though, is the extra-generous oak-panelled master bedroom suite, which includes a Japanese style courtyard, walk-in wardrobe and Carrara marble bathroom area of a size typically found in dwellings several times larger than this one.
Large openings direct the eye out towards the rear garden, created by landscape specialist Christopher Bradley-Hole. Lead architect and designer Franz Borho – a former director at David Chipperfield – ensured everything exudes understated luxury and simplicity, while the interiors include bespoke furniture from the company’s ‘By Spink’ branch. §
