This is a competition proposal design of a Penthouse apartment. The competition was organised by the Design academy Nottingham in may 2011for students or amateurs. The site was a Penthouse apartment in the River Crescent Development. The brief was to design the apartment in contemporary style with a budget of £100,000. This design won 10th place from more than 100 entries.
The penthouse proposal design in based on reflecting the surrounding colours and shapes in order to create a series of luxurious, organic and warm spaces. By reproducing the surrounding nature in the interior by using green and brown colours as well as organic shapes reminding the shape of the river it is intended to create a strong bound between the spaces in and out. Having in mind the innovative ecological technologies applied to the design of the development the light fixtures used in the apartment are energy saving and most of the materials are sustainable. The design also reflects the existing dynamics of the spaces such as the curved walls and aims to make an emphasis on the unusual shapes. The use of gloss and glass materials, designer lighting and innovative walls finishes creates a luxurious feeling. The bright colours and natural elements such as tree decorations and planters in the design aim to make the spaces feel warm and homely.
What makes the spaces feel united are the dark brown carpet, the white ceiling, feature walls made of panels or designer wallpaper and use of white gloss furniture.
The hallway design aims to create the feeling of a bigger space because of its narrow and long character. The use of white wall paint brightens the area and the coat tidy, mirror and ceiling light are chosen to correspond to the existing curved design. The wallpaper made of small rocks emphasises on the shape of the walls and guides people in the space as well as reflects natural elements and colours in the space. The amount spent for the furnishing and finishes in the hallway is 7300£.
The open living area is divided into a lounge, dining, home office space and kitchen. The design is chosen to be more dynamic and the most luxurious in the penthouse as being space for guests. The use of dark flooring and walls aims to put emphasis on the furniture and lighting. The feature wall made again of stone wallpaper but in white aims to bring warm and natural feeling in the interior. The lounge and dinner area are dived by a designer shelving unit and the office area is positioned close to natural light opposite them. The organic shaped lighting fixtures and furniture correspond to the organic shapes of the room. The darks walls and floor aim to bring to the attention the white furniture. With its gloss finishes, glass worktop and splash-back, lighting under the shelves and glass bar with designer bar stools the kitchen is designed as a feature as well. The amount spent for furniture ,decoration and finishes for the lounge space is 15 500£, for the dining area is 11 000£, for the kitchen is 11 500£ and for the home office is 2100£.
The master bedroom has a warm and fresh design created by the use of green and white colours as well as the organic shapes. The feature wall is made of wall panels in gloss green finish. The furniture repeats the pattern of the feature wall in gloss white finish. The wall opposite the wardrobe is designer for wall art. The wardrobe design is white and clean and the emphasis is on the lighting as considered to be the most important in a space with no natural light. The space consists of open shelving and hanging units as well as of drawers, mirror and section for suitcases,bags and shoes. The amount spent for furniture, decoration and finishes for the master bedroom and wardrobe is 19 000£.
Having in mind this will be a rental apartment the two bedrooms at the other end of the corridor are bright and in neutral colours making them suitable for younger as well as for older people. All the bedrooms have wallpaper finishes in order to create a warmer spaces. The furniture in both bedrooms in white gloss and consists of a a bed, bedside table, fitted wardrobe and a dressing table. Chosen to correspond to the wallpaper and furniture the wall, floor and ceiling lights are the main feature in the spaces. The amount spent on the furniture, decoration and finishes for bedroom one ( next to the utility room ) is 7500£ and for bedroom two is 7800£.
The terrace design aims to be the closest to the surrounding natural language as well to keep the interior idea of luxurious feeling. The furniture as well as the planters are Rattan and the feature wall is made of natural plants. The floor lights around the railing is to emphasise on the shape of the terrace and in combination with the wall lights to create a pleasant atmosphere in the dark. The budget for the terrace furniture and finishes is 3400£.
The nook was chosen to be made into a relaxation space. The room consists of only one chair, a feature wall made of the same wallpaper with rocks but in a different colour and a plant in order to create a quite place where the nature could be admired even in bad weather. The amount spent for the furniture and finishes of this space is 1500£.
The utility room design is kept simple and clean but still in contemporary style with gloss units dark wooden worktop. There is storage space, washing machine, a dryer and a sink. The budget for the furniture and finishes in the room is 3000£.
The design is considered to be practical, contemporary, ecological and responding to the surroundings.
Liliya Kovachka
