Horizons that feed the soul

Find architecture that 'nourishes your life', writes Robert Soning

Garden-style terraces are an aspect of architecture that nourishes (londonnewcastle.com)

There isn’t just one piece of standout architecture in London. The thing that makes London such a special city is its complex mixture of architectural styles, each one serving an individual purpose.

For example, the Gothic design of the Houses of Parliament exudes a sense of power and authority, while the Neo-Futuristic style of The Shard, which embraces the diversity of city life all in one building. Each brings something exciting to our skyline, giving London the global city reputation that it has rightfully created for itself.

As well as the iconic landmarks, it’s exciting to see new developments popping up all over the capital. Along with shiny new-builds with unique shapes, like Nobu in Shoreditch and The Scalpel in Lime Street, many new developments are helping to revive some of the city’s classic architecture in a fresh way. One of my favourite examples is the reinvention of the old coal warehouses into Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, which will bring a whole new shopping experience to the city and will really come alive in the summer, complete with great design shops like Tom Dixon, Caravane and IYOUALL.

The Queens Park apartment offers a double-height lobby space (londonewcastle.com)

In the 2018 Knight Frank report, a quote from American Architect Frank Llyod Wright is included that resonates with me. He believed that “architecture was not just about buildings, but about nourishing the lives of those within them. This notion is more relevant to central London now than ever before.” As far as ‘nourishing the lives’ of people living in or near these buildings, just the thought alone that the London’s horizon would be missing something if they weren’t there should be enough to make us realise how lucky we are to live somewhere so unique.

However, there are a few elements of design that help when it comes to feeding the souls of architecture-lovers. Favourite features that I find important in residential developments are double-height lobby spaces, you get such a grand sense of arrival which is a novelty that never grows old!

Private or communal terraces and gardens that show off a great view are also important because London’s landscape is something that shouldn’t be wasted. I also feel that attention to detail is something that shouldn’t be overlooked either because often, it’s the small things that make a space so memorable. I really like the use of concrete and terrazzo because they give buildings a bit of an edge and I love Crittall doors or windows with their industrial-chic imparting a bit of that timeless New York-style architecture.

Queens Park Place living room with Crittall doors (londonewcastle.com)

So next time you find yourself in London, be sure to look up or across at one of the world’s most “nourishing” skylines.