A Rickety Gin Distillery Is Reborn Into a Bright, Award-Winning Home
A design duo strategically transform a dark, rundown distillery into their own modern abode.
When architect Rupert Scott and his wife, interior designer Leo Wood, first laid eyes on a London gin distillery, it was dark, dank, and not at all inviting. Yet, despite its flaws, the couple immediately purchased the property for its surreptitious character.
Thanks to a vision of creating a bright, modern family home, they worked together to completely gut the tired-looking building and reconfigure its interior layout.
A new anthracite zinc roof sits within the walls, and protrudes upward to create extra interior height.
Courtesy of Leon Chew
The cozy family room also serves as a playroom for the couple's two young children, and doubles up as a guest room with a sofa bed when needed. The space includes a bathroom with sliding doors that separates it from the main living area. On the upper level, the master bedroom looks out to the front terrace.
Courtesy of Leon Chew
Get the Renovations Newsletter
From warehouse conversions to rehabbed midcentury gems, to expert advice and budget breakdowns, the renovation newsletter serves up the inspiration you need to tackle your next project.
Before the renovation, the darkest corner of the home was at the back of the property. To bring light to this part of the house, Scott created an internal roof terrace on the second floor.
Courtesy of Rosella Degori for The Spaces
Scott, who is the founder and director of Hackney-based Open Practice Architecture, was responsible for the architectural work, while Wood, founder and director of Kinder Design, took the lead on designing and styling the interiors.
Strategically placed light wells, screens, and openings allow light to move across the surfaces of the house throughout the day.
Courtesy of Rosella Degori for The Spaces
Thankfully for the couple, the building wasn’t in a conservation area. After purchasing the property in the late summer of 2014, Scott was able to demolish much of the existing structure, keeping only the brick walls and concrete floor as his blank canvas.
Simple wood and brick contrast the industrial character of the concrete and steel, while also serving as sound dampeners.
Courtesy of David Butler
Shop the Look
Artek Stool E60
Stool 60 shows off a bit more leg. The stool was originally designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933 with three legs. But the next year, Aalto added another. The result was the Artek Stool E60, which has four bent birch legs supporting the round birch slab seat. Available in an array of colors.
ShopFerm Living Kelim Rug - Squares
A beautifully handwoven piece is the Kelim Rug- Squares from Ferm Living. Made using one of the oldest traditional weaving techniques. Features a subtle color palette using a color blocking technique to create a unique design. The intricate white fringe detailing along the edges adds an eye-catching look. Note that each piece is hand woven and dyed and therefore variations can occur. Photo courtesy of Horne
ShopHAY Baekmark J104 Chair
J104 dining chair is Jørgen Baekmark's interpretation of a classic spindled armchair. Made of solid beech wood with a wide, curved backrest, J104 makes a comfortable and lovable dining chair in any interior. J104 chair is part of Hay's 2011 relaunch of the Danish furniture classics originally made for FDB, the Danish Consumers’ Co-operative Society. FDB’s furniture production started in the 1940s and their main idea was functionalist and democratic design for the people. Thanks to industrial production, FDB was able to manufacture high quality design furniture for ordinary people at relatively low prices. Photo Courtesy of Finnish Design Shop
ShopThe new kitchen-living area is spanned by a 25-foot steel beam.
Courtesy of Leon Chew
Because the distillery was landlocked by buildings on both sides, Scott had to find innovative ways to bring natural light in, while still maintaining visual privacy.
Crittall windows cast playful sun squares along the floors, and deep exposed joists imbue the interiors with a warm golden glow.
Courtesy of Rosella Degori for The Spaces
The original building had a triangular plan, and featured concrete floors, a side alley lined with fridges, a mezzanine, and a corrugated roof. The large windows of the old distillery had been sealed with bricks, and the smaller windows had been barred.
The living spaces on the ground floor now consist of exposed steelwork with polished concrete, timber surfaces, and large Crittall windows.
Courtesy of Leon Chew
Scott incorporated four outdoors spaces into the floor plan of the new 1,760-square-foot home, which has since been longlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects House of the Year.
The upper floor has been set back at the front to make space for a another terrace with large potted plants.
Courtesy of Leon Chew
At the back of the house, a black steel staircase rises toward a sun-drenched landing that continues on to two contemporary, cabin-like bedrooms.
Scott has incorporated a bespoke timber and steel staircase next to the terrace to create a sunny core.
Courtesy of David Butler
"It had been on the market for ages and the planners were glad someone was taking it on. It was so grim and densely overlooked that developers didn’t want it," says Scott.
The bedrooms and bathrooms feature beautiful ceilings made of Scandinavian redwood.
Courtesy of Leon Chew
"Because this site was so difficult, I went to pre-planning with almost fully worked-up designs," he continues to explain.
The main bathroom is located off the stairwell. This area has cut-out openings that draw in plenty of light from a courtyard garden sited on the opposite side of the open-tread stairs.
Courtesy of David Butler
An exterior drawing.
Courtesy of Open Practice Architecture
The ground floor plan.
Courtesy of Open Practice Architecture
The first floor plan.
Courtesy of Open Practice Architecture
Project Credits:
Architecture: Rupert Scott, Open Practice Architecture
Builder and Bespoke Staircase Maker: Evoke Projects Ltd.
Structural Engineering: Constructure Ltd.
Interior Design: Leo Wood, Kinder Design
Cabinetry Installation: Dickinson Woodworks
Where to Stay in London
Published
Last Updated