Elips Design in Clerkenwell, London

London-based architectural practice Elips Design - whose architectural branding and interior design work for retail is setting the web on fire - has a great track record when it comes to refurbishments of pre-existing architecture in London. We were particularly liked one of these, their 1SW studio project in Clerkenwell, at one stage even boasting a “hanging garden”.



In a few days, Clerkenwell will be hosting the annual Clerkenwell Design Week, and as the consummate location for creative businesses and architects, it is also home to the 1SW project by Elips Design, the architecture and design practice whose innovative approach focusing on existing architecture makes it stand out from the crowd.



An industrial building that was home to a printing works last century and before that possibly used to be a horse stable is now going through a new Spring and accommodates five different studios.



One of these was designed by - and for - the young architects from Elips Design, 40 square metres redesigned with natural light in mind as the core of the design narrative.





To help bring in natural light they left the existing glass door and added a skylight. The materials and colours in the open space studio (with kitchen and bathroom) are designed to emphasise the bright interiors.



There's a great shared courtyard that in 2013 hosted the installation “The Hanging Garden of Clerkenwell”. This was both a visual experience, giving a delightful fragrance - heaven to breathe in - and a novel way of growing your own vegetables, so a real example of how to improve lifestyle through architecture. And you know, you don't need much at all - just add some potted vegetable plants, herbs and strawberries in a strictly urban context...  

Christiane Bürklein

Project: elips design, http://www.elipsdesign.com/
Location: Clerkenwell, London, UK
Year 2012, 2013
Images: © Carlo Carossio – courtesy of elips design