LEINSTER MEWS
Leinster Mews is a narrow street of houses tucked away behind Bayswater Road, across the way from Hyde Park. A rare find, the property was completely undeveloped having been rebuilt after WWII. Like so many bomb infill properties that were reconstructed to uphold their neighbours homes, the external façade was at odds with the more historic homes in the street and the internal fabric of the house was poorly laid out and badly insulated. Neighbours in the mews welcomed the reconstruction of the façade of the house which was designed to follow the original architectural detailing and Cubic also elected to retain the garage, an element that defines the historical language of mews houses. Heritage references were curbed at the front door and the interior of this home has become a beautifully curated space that portrays the extensive skill set that Cubic has in planning, construction, architecture, fine detailing and bespoke design.
The garage is the largest display space in the house and has been included as an architectural feature, located behind a vast bespoke retracting Crittal-style door. Bringing art into the mix, an elliptical crack has been created at the centre of the garage floor exposing the reinforcing bars and giving a view to the kitchen below.
The same detailing has been applied below stairs where an incredible 3.5m sliding door makes the open plan space compliant and hides the practicalities of a kitchen in a significant sized larder and storage space. Often the awkward and compromised floor of a property, the basement kitchen features stunning black cabinetry which acts as backdrop to a huge concrete island cast on site, enabling the raw materials to be exposed and combine with highly polished finishes. The island is a feat of engineering. A bespoke wine cellar designed by Cubic completes the theme and creates a further singular focal point to the space. Fine detailing supports the bespoke build including specially imported brass door furniture, handcrafted wall finishes and bespoke cabinetry.
Throughout the building, rooms are unified by a metal and concrete staircase, with a brass edged glass balustrade. The staircase spans over 20m, culminating in an electrically operated roof door, which opens onto a terrace that has made complete use of all outside space. A single individual light installation sits at the centre of the staircase and spans all four floors of the house. Each floors features an extraordinary marbled, light reflecting polished plaster wall.
The 2000 sq ft house at Leinster Mews which was completed on time and in budget, portrays the most complete collection of bespoke design created by Cubic to date It has shown how a truly bespoke project can only be delivered if the same level of attention to detail is applied to every element of the property throughout.
