THE KINGSWAY
The re-imaging of a London duplex apartment in a converted boarding school.
The past and present harmoniously combine in this elegant apartment where
heritage features are enhanced by natural fibres and cosy hues.
The Brief
The client disliked the tired decor and dysfunctional layout and wanted a cohesive open plan living space that incorporated a more practical kitchen and an inviting dining area. Efficient built-in storage was essential for maintaining calm, welcoming spaces, while the mezzanine master bedroom required a creative response to ensure more privacy, as well as natural light. Clean, pared back Japandi-style was the aesthetic preference to allow the heritage features to shine, while warm tones and tactile texture were required to soften the industrial elements and cocoon the spaces.
Before
Previously, the apartment had felt dark and claustrophobic, with little natural light reaching the rooms on the mezzanine or the central hallway. The entire first floor could be navigated in a circle, with no clear definition between each room and a serious lack of privacy. Below the mezzanine, the kitchen was also dark, with no effective storage for laundry or cleaning essentials, and the dining area was in a separate room, making the flow of the apartment feel in-cohesive.
How we achieved it
Our Interior designer, Ivana has created ‘proper’ rooms without altering the essence of the apartment itself, while also filtering the light into every area through the skilful use of sliding doors and glass partitions. Discreet pocket doors retain the openness and accessibility between all the rooms, yet create the much-needed privacy and definition that the client required, while a steel balustrade, more suitable for a commercial space, was replaced with a full height glass partition to create privacy but still let light pass through. Reconfiguring the open plan layout has allowed for niches and nooks to be used as extra storage, and the fusion of natural fibres and earthy tones alongside the raw, industrial details has created a refined and sophisticated home full of character and interest.
The design process
Our clients chose to purchase 5 of our standard room makeover packages and one medium size package for the open plan space. They also purchased a bespoke wardrobe package and few hours consultation for the hallway. After the initial face-to-face site survey, the design process was mainly conducted remotely.
The Kingsway project by Studio Akiva is a confident reworking of a heritage space, set within a converted Grade II listed school building. At its core, the design is about transformation—taking a characterful but challenging structure and reshaping it into a refined, highly liveable home that respects its architectural origins while embracing a contemporary lifestyle.
The interior is defined by its architectural rhythm. Original features such as exposed beams, generous ceiling heights, and distinctive structural elements are not only preserved but elevated, becoming central to the visual identity of the space. Rather than competing with these features, the design introduces a calm, modern layer that allows the architecture to remain the focal point.
A restrained palette underpins the project, with soft neutrals, warm wood tones, and subtle contrasts working together to create balance. Materials are selected with intention—natural textures and clean finishes soften the industrial undertones of the building, resulting in an environment that feels both grounded and refined. This interplay between raw structure and polished detailing gives the home a quiet sense of sophistication.
Spatially, the project focuses on clarity and flow. Open-plan living areas are carefully zoned to support both social interaction and day-to-day functionality, while maintaining a cohesive visual language throughout. The design avoids unnecessary complexity, instead relying on proportion, alignment, and well-considered furniture placement to define each area.
In more private spaces, such as the bedrooms, the tone becomes softer and more intimate. Elements like acoustic panelling, layered textiles, and warm lighting introduce comfort while subtly referencing the building’s architectural framework.
Ultimately, The Kingsway is a project that demonstrates restraint and precision. It honours the past without becoming overly nostalgic, and introduces modernity without losing character. The result is a home that feels architectural, balanced, and quietly elevated—an intelligent reinterpretation of a historic London space for contemporary living.