25 Bedford Street
‘It was a pleasure working with JoWhiteDesign. Our tenants are very pleased, as are we, with the quality of the finished product.’
Richard Bryant, BlackRock
BlackRock were looking to reposition this Covent Garden development. They approached JoWhiteDesign who transformed the shopfront, reception and ground floor support areas following a total strip out.
A solid revolving door arrangement dominated the existing reception and allowed cold draughts and debris to enter the building. It also obscured a rare view of the historic Church of St Paul designed by Inigo Jones in 1633, which stands directly opposite. By removing the doors and introducing a three-part glass screen, JoWhiteDesign brings the view of the church centre stage, set back and framed by its avenue of trees. Using the Tuscan colours and simple Italian style of the church facade as inspiration for the new scheme, we create a dialogue between interior and exterior.
A frameless glass draught lobby set to one side solves all practical problems of entrance and allows space for seating. The asymmetry of the scheme is emphasised by an oblique wall in polished lacquer, punctured by a walnut-lined recess with leather feature wall to anchor the reception desk. The crisp lines of the white desk with black glass fascia are softened by the folded contours of the tan leather wall panels and use of timber. The grey veining in the Veronese Statuary marble floor provides a freeform graphic, linking the stark black and white finishes.
Completed 2013
