The Bryanston, Hyde Park

27.04.22

Almacantar has unveiled a new show apartment at its latest completed development, The Bryanston, Hyde Park. Marking the release of the Tower Apartments, the three-bedroom, 2,923 sq ft apartment sits on the 11^th floor of this landmark development, which is renowned architect Rafael Viñoly’s first luxury residential building in the UK.

Responding to the needs of the world’s global elite, Almacantar appointed award-winning interior architecture practice David Collins Studio to design The Bryanston’s second show apartment, with guest curation from design editor Nick Vinson of Vinson&Co. Known for its creative designs in international residences, as well as hospitality and retail, the brief for David Collins Studio was to draw on its previous projects and combine the best ideas from around the world, applying them in a new sense to suit a London home. The result is an eye-catching, playful apartment which takes inspiration from The Bryanston’s surroundings, namely the expansive Hyde Park, and champions contemporary British design. The furnishings include David Collins Studio’s celebrated archive, vintage pieces, and new specially commissioned works.

The Bryanston is the tallest residential building to overlook Hyde Park, offering residents unparalleled views through the picture-frame, curved windows which run along the length of the apartment. David Collins Studio has ensured the distinctive interiors do not take away from these views, using colour palettes that complement the natural surroundings and furniture which is positioned to act as viewpoints for the ever-changing exterior landscape.

Creating a sense of arrival, the entrance lobby and hallway sets the tone of the apartment with a Wedgwood Jasperware inspired, floral artwork which unfolds through the ten-metre-long hallway. Created by London-based sculptor Lucy Smith, the three-dimensional relief reflects the park outside with flora and fauna cast forms - all meticulously hand moulded and applied by the artist herself – in a pale pink colour palette. Depicting a field of irises, including wildlife such as squirrels, butterflies, birds and a hare which appear to be moving across the scene, the installation creates an otherworldly feel, inviting the viewer into the apartment and through to The Bryanston’s impressive view of Hyde Park which Lucy has reflected in the piece.

Other commissions by British makers include custom study furniture by Simon Hasan featuring a free form desk and shelving unit, both of which have been crafted using European oak, antique brass detailing and iconic Bentley Green Connolly Vaumol leather. Two vintage Italian desk chairs reupholstered in green linen sit alongside the desk. These items are complemented by the rich colouring of John Allen FRCA’s Autumn in Orkneylandscape wall hanging which sits behind the desk.

From the kitchen, residents can look across the paths which strike through Hyde Park and beyond to Kensington. Responding to the surroundings, the dining and living spaces feature a palette of yellows, silvers and golds, and the large dining table is crafted by London-based Sebastian Cox from a felled London Plane tree sourced from a local park.

Other striking pieces include custom-designed klismos dining chairs, lacquered in sunburst yellow and upholstered in soft yellow mohair by Bruno Triplet. The yellow colour palette is thread throughout the room – for example, The Connaught Bar’s iconic martini trolley by David Collins Studio has been reimagined for this residential space, realised in limed oak and rattan, with the interior lacquered in the same sunburst yellow. The use of low furniture in the living and dining spaces suit the building’s curvature and maximises on the breath-taking views.

Considering every sense, each room has been adorned with a scent from Perfumer H, including a custom cedarwood scent/candle in the principal bedroom created exclusively for the apartment, ivy in the hallway and pine in the study.

The principal bedroom provides another striking design moment – the walls have been upholstered in Loro Piana’s ‘Shaded Cloud’ cashmere-wool fabric, along with the bedroom furniture and curtains. Couture embroiderer Geraldine Larkin has also been commissioned to create a unique applique artwork comprising three shades of Loro Piana cashmere-wool for the bedroom. The ultimate decadence, the cashmere-wool fabric is soft to the touch and creates a sense of calm and serenity.

The second and third bedrooms are colour-blocked in teal blues and indigo blues respectively. Design highlights in the second bedroom include a custom-designed bed with a teal velvet headboard which extends to the ceiling, commissioned still life artworks by London-based artists Jessica Rose Bird and emerging talent Sam Wood and a brutalist iron wall mirror from the 1950’s. Whilst in the third bedroom, the walls are lined in indigo raw silk and the white beech timber bed creates a focal point for the room – a piece commissioned from London-based designer Bethan Laura Wood and an exclusive version of her design which was originally developed with Philippe Malouin for the 2016 ‘Friends+Design’ exhibition at Dresden State Art Collections.

Kathrin Hersel, Executive Director at Almacantar, said:

“The Bryanston’s position on the corner of London’s largest open green space, at the gateway to the West End, is unique. Residents have easy access to all that London has to offer – with Soho, Mayfair and Marylebone right on their doorstep.

We’re always looking to do something different, not just ‘another show apartment’ – we try and respond to the market and David Collins Studio’s design does just that. Our residents are global citizens who want their London home to mirror their lifestyle but also be grounded in its surroundings. Aiming the apartment at a ‘well-travelled collector’, it was important to us that the views of Hyde Park were not upstaged, but reflected within the spaces, so you’re always reminded that you’re in London. Bringing the outside in with pieces such as Lucy Smith’s artwork blurs the line between you and the park in a sophisticated way.”

Iain Watson, CEO & Founder at David Collins Studio, said:

“We were inspired to design interiors for an apartment that benefits from panoramic views sweeping from the City to Hyde Park, and is the product of Almacantar and visionary architect, Rafael Viñoly. The park views provided inspiration for many of the custom items, giving the interior a sense of place.

The Studio was asked to celebrate a selection of its famous designs, which presented an exciting opportunity to revisit particular pieces with a new lens, supported by Nick Vinson’s curation. We layered this vision with commissioned British talent to make special pieces for the apartment, ultimately reflecting the best of today’s artisans and makers. The Studio’s approach to sourcing and detailing delivers pieces with a provenance.

Careful consideration of modern living has been included to give the spaces comfort and glamour, which then unfolds with details that delight and add an individual touch.”

Nick Vinson, Vinson&Co, said:

“For The Bryanston, the starting point was selecting the most emblematic furniture pieces from the David Collins Studio archive. These were then custom made in new fabrics and finishes by their long-standing manufacturers. To give this project a unique point of view, we also commissioned a roster of London-based makers to design and produce bespoke pieces for the project, including artist Lucy Smith, embroidery designer Geraldine Larkin, and designers Simon Hasan, Bethan Laura Wood and Philippe Malouin.

To me, it was very important to give this apartment a sense of place and to bring the park inside. Lucy Smith’s installation in the entrance and hallway has flora and fauna cast in plaster in a colour taken from Wedgwood’s 18th century Jasperware, the dining table is crafted by cabinet maker Sebastian Cox from a felled London Plain tree and the David Collins Studio designed arched mirrors referencing John Nash’s Marble Arch outside.

The Bryanston is on the border of Marylebone and Mayfair, from where I commissioned brands such as Connolly, who provided the Bentley Green leather for Simon Hasan’s study furniture, Perfumer H, who created a garden of scents for us with Ivy, Dandelion, Moss, Pine, Bluebell and Cedar, and Mount Street Printers, for the bespoke stationery customised by Betty Soldi. This residence also showcases the best of 20th century British design, including tableware from David Mellor, Robert Welch and David Marshall, lithographs from Henry Moore and tapestry by John Allen.

The principal suite, with its bed, sofa, curtains and softly wrapped walls completely upholstered in Loro Piana cashmere, features abstract hand-embroidered panels by Geraldine Larkin enveloping and cocooning the resident in their private sanctuary.”

The David Collins Studio show apartment is the second to launch at The Bryanston, following the first which was unveiled in October and designed by London design and architecture practice, Millier. Following a more classic design, the Millier two-bedroom apartment was influenced by a Mayfair townhouse, with muted earthy tones and detail accents throughout.

Residents at The Bryanston have access to two storeys of wellness amenities, including a health spa and a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, experience shower, sauna, steam room, relaxation areas and private treatment room. These sit alongside a residents’ gym and private training rooms which are serviced by Scandinavian personal trainers MER World. The amenities are complemented by 24-hour security, concierge services managed by Rhodium, a cinema suite and magical children’s play space.