3 Orme Square

Our remodelling of 3 Orme Square, a Grade II-listed home, reasserts the elegant architectural composition and qualities of the original 1826 villa. The refurbishment also enhances the coherence and character of Orme Square, a private Regency-era square next to Kensington Gardens in Bayswater. By replacing a series of unsympathetic wraparound extensions with carefully scaled, set-back volumes, to create new wings to the north and east of the original home, we reinstated the residence’s symmetrical three-bay primary frontage. In keeping with surrounding heritage homes, our design incorporates a new mansard roof, bringing more living space and additional prominence to the villa’s primary elevation. Inside the new wings, fluid contemporary living spaces, with floor-to-ceiling windows contrast with and complement the original building’s more traditional interiors. A new, central, cantilever sky-lit limestone stair connects the two elements of the building, fusing traditional and contemporary craftsmanship. A single basement storey was fully excavated to provide space for a private pool. New high-performance materials specified for the contemporary wings are met with subtle fabric upgrades within the heritage building. A closed loop ground source heat pump provides heating, cooling and hot water, coupled with energy-efficient systems to ensure ongoing low-carbon operation for the home’s residents.