Wandsworth, London

A retained Victorian facade conceals a magnificent renovation in the heart of Wandsworth.

The interior design offers a striking blend of industrial concrete textures and organic timber tones. We love the two “half” staircases which begin with a large wrap-around concrete plinth and several concrete steps — in matching Cool Grey — before transitioning to timber.

We also pre-cast twenty L-shaped treads and a side panel for the external staircase in Ebony, reflecting the enigmatic dark grey front door as you approach the property.

The 3.2m long (and 1.3m wide) island features a gravity-defying 650mm concrete overhang on one end and a built-in breakfast bar.

The overhang was created by forming a hollow centre and pouring 100mm of concrete around it, reducing the overall weight for maximum stability. Other design features include recesses for the Gaggenau appliances and larger outlines of the control dials recessed on the side face.

The island is paired with a matching 3.2m long kitchen worktop featuring a cut-out for an under-counter sink. This aesthetic is mirrored in the 3.5m L-shaped worktop in the pantry. Both the worktops were cast at 80mm thick and in one piece, with no joints for a seamless finish.

The tops were finished with a Cool Grey hardener while an integral colour ensures that the sides of the island blend seamlessly into the matching floor.

There are two staircases, each featuring a remarkable blend of polished concrete and timber. The contractor created a sub base and prepared the formwork for our master craftsmen to pour the concrete. We poured and polished 100mm of concrete in situ to match the Cool Grey flooring throughout the ground floor and basement. Each staircase features an extended, plinth-like bottom step to create a more sculptural and design-led transition to the surrounding area.

We love the contrast between the smooth polished concrete, rising from the flooring, and the warm and bright timber tone that extends to the next level.

The external staircase includes twenty 900mm wide, L-shaped concrete treads — all pre-cast in our Somerset factory. Each step features a textured anti-slip finish to safely withstand the elements.

A matching pre-cast panel is clad onto the side of the steps, precisely manufactured to line up with the tread profile and the glass balustrade embedded in between. In total, the panel weighed 115kg!