THE BRIEF

RYE Design were commissioned to redesign a two bedroom apartment for a private client living in the Manhattan Lofts Bankside development adjacent to the Tate Modern gallery. The client’s brief was to open the apartment up allowing more natural light into the master bedroom which was situated on the upper level of the duplex apartment. From the main double height living areas fantastic views across the London skyline were possible however the existing arrangement of the flat meant that these were not possible from the master bedroom. Our challenge was to try and remove as many non-structural partitions as possible to create a more open plan arrangement whilst maintaining privacy to the guest bedroom below.

THE SCHEME

The final design features a cantilevered glass box which projects out above the living and dining areas below. The glazed upper level of the duplex apartment houses the master bedroom and boasts 180 degree views out across the skyline of London's square-mile. The cantilevered portion of the toughened glass floor is supported by new structural steel beams which are tied back to the original concrete frame of the building. In addition to the complex structural alterations. Below this cantilevered box a series of sliding partitions were introduced to create a private second guest bedroom with a fold out bed. These could be stacked against the retained spine wall when not in use creating a completely open plan arrangement. RYE Design also redesigned the apartment's bathrooms, kitchen, and living area resulting in a cohesive design fully responding to the client’s brief.