‘gasholders london’ is a residential project in the UK capital that combines the talents of jonathan tuckey design, WilkinsonEyre, and dan pearson studio. situated next to the regent’s canal at the heart of king’s cross, the project features 145 apartments and penthouses built within a refurbished trio of cast-iron gasholder guide frames. with the project complete, filmmaker matthew donaldson has created a short movie documenting the scheme, while photographer james brittain has shared his images of the development.

 

video © matthew donaldson

 

 

shown above, the film by matthew donaldson explores the project’s interior and exterior architecture and suggests an imagined inhabitation within gasholders london. the camera observes the buildings dispassionately, but highlights moments of movement within a surreal mechanised aesthetic. responding to both the 19th century industrial structures and WilkinsonEyre’s dramatic architectural insertions, jonathan tuckey design was responsible for the interior architecture of the apartments, which has been highlighted here by photographer james brittain.

'gasholders london' documented as an exploration of movement and mechanisation
image © james brittain

 

 

the material palette for the interiors was inspired by a series of precedents discussed with the client, argent, which combines the mechanized character of the building with a desire to give sculptural form to each accommodation. WilkinsonEyre has shaped an intricate geometry, which has been used to generate the floor plans for the varying apartment types. a very specific wedge-shape form is created as the plans expand outwards from the dramatic atria at the center of the gasholders to the curved external façades.

'gasholders london' documented as an exploration of movement and mechanisation
image © james brittain

 

 

within the open-plan living areas, the kitchens have been designed to play on the mechanical nature of the overall building. this is achieved by using through-colored engineered board for the units and the application of brushed stainless steel and brass. mirrored panels and flush, flat-panel light fittings in the ceilings exaggerate the sculptural forms of the kitchens. the mechanized approach is continued inside the master bedrooms, which are edged with brass, connecting them with the perforated metal shutters that shade each apartment that also feature brass details, revealed as they open and close, controlled from within by the resident.

'gasholders london' documented as an exploration of movement and mechanisation
image © james brittain

 

 

the heights within the apartments appear greatly increased thanks to full-height windows and a reflective resin floors. the resin has been poured to ensure that there are no awkward joins or collisions across the distinct geometry of the apartments, creating a series of calm and seamless spaces. the bathrooms by contrast are lined in bespoke concrete tiles and panels and feature matching concrete washbasins. the solidity of these interiors is complimented by details similar to those found in the kitchens with their use of flush light panels, mirror and brass accents; these elements interact visually to increase the sense of scale in these rooms.

'gasholders london' documented as an exploration of movement and mechanisation
image © james brittain

'gasholders london' documented as an exploration of movement and mechanisation
image © james brittain

'gasholders london' documented as an exploration of movement and mechanisation
image © james brittain

'gasholders london' documented as an exploration of movement and mechanisation
image © jonathan tuckey design

 

 

project info:

 

name: gasholders london
location: london, UK
photography: james brittain — website | instagram
film: matthew donaldson — website | instagram