Langbourne Mansions

Art-Deco moves with the times.

Langbourne Mansions dates from the early nineteen-twenties, the original use being that of shared accommodation for single, professional women. This was a progressive brief for the period, and a socially-conscious one, with robust, well-appointed and generously proportioned spaces available to members of a growing English middle-class.

OGA was appointed to make proposals for and oversee the renovation of a circa 100m² flat at the address, to ready it for use by a four person household.

The interior references Art Deco colour palettes. Expressive rooms use cornflower blue, others a seafoam, creating dialogue with the planted exterior. Formal and restrained spaces use cream with contrasting black inlay, for a gallery-like backdrop for the simultenaety of family life. Monochrome black-on-white refers to the façade of the mock-Tudor building, and 1920s luxury fashion brands.

Layout reconfigurations are made to delineate day-use from night-use spaces.

A vestibule connects kitchen and living room, with joinery for storage and admin. Glimpses are cast thoroughout using openable internal windows and glazed doors.

The Living Room is large enough to allow subzoning. A new fire surround divides the length into a soft seating area and a dining area. This space uses a nude Deco palette with black trim.

The kitchen, at the north of the property, uses a warm greige with unpretentious fittings.

The Master Bedroom is a restful, cheerful, and sunlight-reactive cornflower blue.

A secondary bedrooms for a young daughter hints at a jungle theme, reflecting the bucolic backdrop through the bedroom window.

The family bathroom is more explocitly art-deco with its monochrome palette and patternation.