London design studio Archmongers takes on a renovation project that transformed the Trellick Tower located in North Kensington. The new look features exposed concrete walls that are complemented by a matching terrazzo. The project was led by architects Margaret ursa and Johan Hybschmann. The design retains the main structure of the original layout and integrated small updates that emphasize the brutalist form of the space.
Bursa explained the design process to Dezeen, stating how she wanted to embrace "the raw beauty of brutalist concrete." She continues, "The contemporary update is drawn from the original architecture. We exposed the in-situ cast concrete walls in the living spaces and on the stairs, adding material richness to the interiors and linking to the course aggregate concrete of the exterior facade."
Image Credit: French + Tye
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Brutalist-architecture Revival
- Embracing the raw and unrefined aesthetic of brutalist concrete, modern revitalizations promote a return to minimalist and functional design principles.
- Exposed-concrete Interiors
- Architectural focus shifts to celebrating structural elements as design features, leveraging exposed concrete walls to add texture and authenticity to living spaces.
- Mixed-material Integration
- Combining complementary materials such as terrazzo with concrete creates visually compelling and rich interior environments.
Where This Applies
- Residential Architecture
- Innovative approaches in renovating iconic structures like the Trellick Tower reflect growing trends toward preserving historical designs while incorporating modern elements.
- Interior Design
- The move towards raw and unpolished materials gives rise to new opportunities for unique and striking interior aesthetics.
- Construction Materials
- Advancements in materials such as high-quality terrazzo and refined concrete variants support durable and stylish building solutions.
