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An important part of the brief was that this residence should reflect the family’s love for entertaining. The entrance was thus the natural starting point for the entire design. This would be the place to make a striking first impression. And the two dramatic jellyfish tanks that flank the entry path certainly fit that bill: they transform this stretch of space into a hushed, otherworldly archway. The foyer also includes a piano in a glass box, whose sliding doors consist of smart glass that can shift from transparent to opaque according to the needs of the moment. Above the piano is a Philips luminous panel which displays content, helps to absorb sound, and is finished in Kvadrat fabrics.

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The sense of the dramatic is just as apparent in the double-height family room. Here, the eye is immediately drawn to the sinuous black spiral staircase that dominates the open-plan layout. Its rubber-oiled steel gleams and broods, contributing to the industrial aesthetic. Further nods to the industrial include the continuous polished concrete of the Pandomo flooring and also the angular Barisol mirrors on the stretched fabric of one part of the ceiling. The whole effect is softened by the timber sections of other parts of the ceiling, where Japanese-inspired bamboo slats discreetly mask lighting fixtures and the sound system. A noticeably playful touch is added by the mezzanine ribbon, whose rounded glazed balustrade echoes the curves of the centrepiece staircase. 

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Every effort was made to imbue the space with the clients’ own sense of fun and experimentation. In the kitchen, for instance, the idea for the diagonal placement of the central island originated from the clients themselves. Butler enthuses: ‘I love how funky it turned out!’ This quirky design element is situated among sleek Binova kitchen cabinets, custom brass wall racks, and hood cladding. The interplay between metals sustains the industrial theme and adds a modern edge. Another original element is the dining table, which consists of a plank of wood reclaimed by the clients many years before this project was conceived. The original plank was extended using clear epoxy resin and now takes pride of place in the dining room. The glossy luxuriousness of this space is enhanced by the futuristic flared blades of the pendant chandeliers by Henge.

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The other smaller rooms on the ground floor each feature unique design ideas as well. In the study, a custom aeroplane-wing desk marks this space out as the command centre. This note of confident masculinity is reinforced by dark blue leather wall panels. In the powder room, we find an Antonio Lupi wall basin that curves voluptuously and asymmetrically from the wall. And then there is the cigar-and-wine room, which is a marvel of compact efficiency. This cosy space includes a wine-cellar wall, a kitchenette with a Corian top, a custom leather-upholstered bench, and a table crafted from remnants of the wood used for the dining table.

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Two floors above, the rooftop not only provides extra space for entertainment but also boasts a whole range of luxurious amenities. The BBQ area is fully kitted out with a gas grill and a kamado grill. The pool has a jacuzzi feature and an adjoining sauna. And the glass box idea from the ground-floor entrance is replicated here as a small pavilion that houses the gym. 

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Butler explains that, while the ground floor and rooftop are defined by their capacity to host gatherings, ‘the mezzanine and private first floor cater to the family’s needs, giving each member their own area to express their personality.’ One consistent element in the private spaces was the use of wooden flooring. This textural choice introduces a warmer, cosier feel, thus marking these areas out as distinct from the stark concrete of the ground floor.

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Tasteful restraint was the guiding principle for the master bedroom, and this is apparent in its almost monochromatic colour palette and its simplified layout. A generous walk-in closet leads into the master bathroom, which leans more towards the indulgent. In particular, one notices the craggy, monolithic basins carved from blocks of Crema Marfil marble. There is also a jewel-like steam room and a wet area with double shower jets, an overhead shower, and a jacuzzi tub.

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The children’s rooms are also fully customised to their respective occupants. The teen’s bedroom, for example, is discreetly positioned off from the library, thus providing ample space for entertaining friends during sleepovers. A cool, modern aesthetic is created by the bathroom’s mirrored sliding door and by the asymmetrical lighting for the quick-access areas and desk. Meanwhile, the younger ones’ bedroom is more whimsical. The upward reach of the platform bed invites exploration, while the fibre-optic star ceiling helps soften the ambience. Finally, the grooved wood of the study nook ties in with the bamboo slats on the ground floor, reminding us of the underlying spirit of playfulness that pervades the penthouse’s design.

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