British developers Derwent London are known for their distinct design-led approach in office and commercial spaces. The Corner House on London's Charlotte Street is one of their first boutique residential blocks to complete.
Designed by London based architecture practice DSDHA, led by Deborah Saunt and Davis Hills, the 15,500 sq ft brick clad new-build project stands on a corner spot, elegantly echoing the volumes of the brick houses that formerly occupied the plot.
'The form, articulation and material layering of the facades aims to restore specificity and a sense of place, at a time when modernity seems intent on the generic and the universal', says Saunt. 'The elevations also hint at hidden areas of the building above, inviting enquiry, where the upper level of windows shift away from the orthogonal to allude to the roof top pavilions above.'
The architects 'aimed to create a dialogue with the wider context of the city', continues the team. Featuring dark Petersen bricks and lined with Dinesen oak flooring, the six-storey structure features carefully thought craft-based details - from the metal, generous central staircase balustrade, to the façade's decorative metal grilles.
Two 'crystalline pavilions', which host the development's generous penthouse, top the structure. Featuring high ceilings, long views of the central London skyline, decked terraces and unexpected openings that bring plenty of sunlight in, the penthouse includes two bedrooms, ample living space and an added space that can act as guest room, library or gym. Set back from the building's edges, this space is almost hidden from the street.
'We loved discovering the potential of this expansive rooftop to be a place to live and play, and also very importantly to offer a new fifth elevation to the wider world, one that is almost hidden from the city at ground level', adds Saunt.
The eleven units below - nine private and two affordable - range from one to three bedroom apartments of different sizes - all equipped with large windows and similar attention to detail. Commercial units occupy the ground floor level.
The brick clad building is topped by two crystalline pavillions, which crown the scheme’s impressive penthouse
The penthouse space spans different levels and features dramatic angled roofs and openings
The generous unit’s unexpected openings ensure plenty of natural light inside and onto the Dinesen lined floors and clean white walls
It also features outdoors areas, such as a couple of decked terraces with long views across the central London skyline
Below, eleven units - nine private and two affordable - complete the building, whose ground level also has some space for commercial occupiers
INFORMATION
For more information on DSDHA visit the website
Photography: Christoffer Rudquist
-
Inside Alessandro Michele’s showstopping debut haute couture show for ValentinoThis afternoon in Paris (29 Janaury 2025), the Italian designer hit new heights with an eclectic, era-traversing couture collection for Valentino
-
Inside Bell Labs, the modernist vision behind Severance's minimalist settingWe explore the history of Bell Labs - now known as Bell Works - the modernist Eero Saarinen-designed facility in New Jersey, which inspired the dystopian minimalist setting of 'Severance'
-
Toronto’s DesignTO 2025 highlights – design and art to see across the cityAt DesignTO, the largest festival of its kind in Canada, determined artists and designers gather in Toronto in full embrace of chilly weather. Our on-the-ground correspondent reports on its standout moments
-
2025 Serpentine Pavilion: this year's architect, Marina Tabassum, explains her designThe 2025 Serpentine Pavilion design by Marina Tabassum is unveiled; the Bangladeshi architect talks to us about the commission, vision, and the notion of time
-
We celebrate the emerging London architects to be excited aboutThese emerging London architects are some of the capital's finest ground-breakers, movers and shakers; heralding a new generation of architecture
-
A library in a London telephone box? This is a charming reading nook full of surprisesSet in a restored London telephone box, Upper Street Little Library is a cosy beacon to encourage reading to the wider community
-
This revamped east London terraced house is a music lover’s dreamAn east London terraced house gets a boost of personality and sustainability thanks to Archmongers, whose transformation makes room for the owners’ creativity and extensive record collection
-
This elegant infill project slots beautifully into the London streetscapeIn this infill project, a row of garages in Blackheath, south-east London, has been replaced by a contemporary family home by local practice Mailen Design
-
Don’t Move, Improve 2025: the 14 London homes adding design oomph to the everydayThe shortlist for Don’t Move, Improve 2025 has been announced, revealing 14 residential projects across London that add value and pizazz to their inhabitants’ daily lives
-
Space House: explore the brutalist London landmark’s new chapterSpace House, a landmark of brutalist architecture by Richard Seifert & Partners in London’s Covent Garden, is back following a 21st-century redesign by Squire & Partners and developer Seaforth Land
-
Fire-damaged Walworth Town Hall shows off majestic transformationWalworth Town Hall gets a much-needed reimagining by Feix & Merlin, who transformed the heritage building into a contemporary workspace and a hub of its local community in south London
