tp bennett designs a fresh new spot for Aviva at EightyFen
A transparent, community-focused office design represents a milestone in the organisation's commitment to creating positive workspaces.
Located in the grounds of Kensington Palace, visitors to The Orangery can now indulge in afternoon tea within an elegant, flexible event space.
2 min read
Photography: Billy Bolton
Designed on behalf of Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity responsible for the public-facing State Apartments at Kensington Palace – the London and Dubai-based Studio KKD has completed its extensive restoration of The Orangery. Originally commissioned in 1705 by Queen Anne, the baroque building retains its original outdoor patio overlooking the surrounding Kensington Gardens, and now boasts equally elegant interiors carefully brought back to life with a soft, textured palette.
Studio KKD strove to update the historic building respectfully, maintaining and updating the interiors where possible, yet celebrating the best of the internal architecture. This allowed the studio to weave a historical narrative, with original fixtures such as the grand floor-to-ceiling windows and ornate, arched ceilings thoughtfully complemented by bespoke joinery and furniture. Decorative arched screens serve as dividers, allowing for flexible configurations for a multitude of social events, but also provide acoustic benefits to allow for more intimate conversations within the high-ceilinged space.
Subtle design references further nod towards the building’s history as a key fixture within one of London’s most majestic palaces. These include bespoke floor lamps by British-owned company Heathfield & Co, which display large, opaque pendants inspired by Queen Anne’s favourite pearl earrings.
The muted blue and ochre yellow tones chosen for the plush sofas and dining chairs are echoed by Verdure Tapestry wallpaper by Cole & Son, which reinterprets visual motifs from a 17th-century work currently being displayed within the Kings Presence Chamber of Kensington Palace. As well as an array of indoor trees occupying key focal points throughout The Orangery, printed fabric designs by GP & J Baker (inspired by Historic Royal Palaces’ gardens) also introduce more colour, texture and a biophilic touch to the otherwise minimalist, restrained palette provided by the white panelled walls, sculptural columns and cream tiled flooring.
Inspiration for your next read
17 years in the making, multiple studios create one harmonious design symphony at London’s first all-suite hotel.
Comprised of 14 unique suites, each designed by a cultural leader in art, film, fashion and more, the innovative concept finds a home in Amsterdam’s historic De L’Europe hotel.
Adding to the five-star hotel within a row of 17th century canal houses, the luxury suites have been gradually unveiled this spring – each boasting its own unique aesthetic.