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DESIGN
We worked with the building’s unusual angled
glazed box base to make the most of views in
and through the amenity space.
WE ARE 74
APPROACH:
The design of the amenity spaces represents a step change
away from the bright-and-cheerful approach that dominates the
sector, where spaces are often saturated with primary colours.
For the Manchester practice’s second scheme for London and
Scottish Student Housing (following an earlier student amenity
project, Crown House in Sheffield), the brief to 74 was to create
a sophisticated and high-spec scheme with grown-up colours,
great detailing and a pronounced hotel/hospitality influence.
The interior design treatment for the amenity spaces took initial
inspiration from the building’s architecture, where the materials
palette references a recognisable local residential vernacular, with
a broadly 1930s feel, including brushed brick with a pale-yellow
tone and bronzed anodised aluminium window frames. The latter
detail directly inspired, for example, the use of bronzed metal
framework within the interior.
‘We worked with the building’s unusual angled glazed box base
to make the most of views in and through the amenity space’ 74
Associate Bianca Yousef commented. ‘At one end of the building,
the ground floor only can be seen, whilst, as the street slopes
down, passers-by can also see into the lower-ground-floor gym
space at the far end.’
The full suite of amenity spaces includes a reception lobby,
back-of-house space, study lounge, meeting rooms, library,
communal kitchen, toilets, cinema room, gaming lounge and
gym, as well as an 8th floor private dining room. The material
treatment for the scheme includes bronze-finish crittal-style
doors and glazing, which respond directly to the external
metalwork, plus a double-dado rail treatment that further ties
into the door and window levels. Large, rectangular lighting rafts
in bronze-painted timber continue the metallic allusions. The
colour palette features neutral colours throughout with subtle,
darker highlight areas in browns, greys, deep blues and olive
greens. Flooring throughout is in Amtico herringbone timber,
with highlight areas in black-and-white chequerboard tiling
or featuring elegant carpet insets by Newhay. Planting is also
incorporated throughout, though in an unregimented way to
ensure the space has a relaxing and non-corporate feel.
AMENITY SPACES DESIGN WALK-THROUGH:
Entry into Symons House is up a series of ground-level steps
and into a spacious lobby area, with an underlit reception desk
directly ahead. The reverse-U-shaped desk itself is a standalone
bespoke design, with a marble laminate top, a concealed shelf
for staff use and leather-look external binding, with studded
vertical lines inspired by case goods and the golden era of
travel.
PAGE 27 - ARCHETECH