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Studio McW Transforms London Victorian Terrace into a Chic Entertainer’s Haven

In the heart of south-west London, local architecture studio Studio McW has completed a striking renovation and extension of a Victorian terrace, crafting a home designed specifically for social gatherings and family life. The residence, named Sobremesa after the Spanish tradition of lingering at the table after a meal, was commissioned by Charlie and Joshua Karlsen, founders of luxury catering company Opus 11. The Karlsen’s vision for the house was clear: a space primed for hosting, where friends and family could seamlessly gather, dine, and relax in style.

From Bedsits to a Unified Home

Previously divided into three separate bedsit flats, the home was transformed into a single, cohesive dwelling through a series of carefully considered side, rear, and attic extensions. This structural reorganisation allowed Studio McW to open up the ground floor into expansive entertaining spaces, strategically connecting the interiors with a courtyard and garden to maximize light and flow.

“The spatial organisation of the house was conceived to serve both the rhythms of everyday family life and the clients’ passion for entertaining,” said Greg Walton, studio director at McW. “The layout gently choreographs movement through the home: guests are welcomed directly into the reception area, perfect for drinks and conversation, before stepping down into a generous dining space framed by two courtyards that filter in soft, dappled light from above.”

A Skylit, Open-Plan Heart

The heart of the home is a seamless, open-plan entertaining space anchored by a marble kitchen island and a skylit dining area. Varied floor finishes subtly mark transitions between spaces: warm oak floors define the front lounge and reception, polished concrete runs through the dining zone, and the paved flooring flows into the rear patio, creating a sense of continuity between interior and exterior.

The kitchen itself is a study in elegance and functionality. A large marble island defines the cooking zone, while bench seating along the side extension offers a relaxed spot beneath a timber-framed skylight. The island is mirrored by a dramatic marble splashback set within a curved alcove and complemented by bespoke oak joinery crafted by Idle Furniture. Timber-framed glass doors lead seamlessly to the hard-landscaped garden, where a curved brick wall hugs a small planter and concrete bench, extending the home’s sculptural language outdoors.

Design Inspirations and Architectural Details

Studio McW drew inspiration from a combination of historical and contemporary sources. The curved brick form of the extension references Gunnar Asplund and Erik Lewerentz’s architectural work, evoking a feeling of spaces carved rather than constructed. Victorian archways and plaster details from the original home subtly informed the extensions’ arches and curves, preserving the residence’s heritage while introducing a modern sensibility.

The first floor houses the main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, a TV room, and an en-suite bedroom. The attic conversion adds two further en-suite guest bedrooms. Across these private areas, the interiors continue the ground floor’s natural and textured palette, with lime-plastered walls in soft cream and dusky pink, complemented by marble and terracotta-tiled bathrooms.

A Home for Entertaining and Everyday Life

Sobremesa is more than a beautifully designed home; it is a choreographed experience, balancing everyday living with the owners’ love for hospitality. From its fluid circulation and light-filled courtyards to the sculptural forms of the extensions and the tactile elegance of materials, the house offers a welcoming, luxurious backdrop for gatherings, meals, and quiet family moments alike.

Previous residential projects by Studio McW include bespoke stone and timber-clad additions to a large 18th-century home in Cambridgeshire and a London extension featuring intricate timber joinery. With Sobremesa, the practice continues its tradition of combining refined materiality, spatial intelligence, and playful yet sophisticated detailing to craft homes that are as beautiful as they are functional.

Exploring the Designs of Arne Jacobsen: A Celebration of Architectural Genius and Design Versatility

Arne Jacobsen is widely recognized as one of Denmark’s most influential architects of the 20th century, yet his extraordinary contributions to design extend far beyond the built environment. From textiles to furniture, lighting, and even cutlery, Jacobsen’s work embodies a rare synthesis of architectural rigor and playful elegance. The new book, The Designs of Arne Jacobsen: Interiors, Furniture, Lighting and Textiles, 1925-1971, authored by Thomas Dickson and Henrik Lund-Larsen, seeks to illuminate the breadth and versatility of his creative output, highlighting projects that are as relevant today as they were decades ago.

While Jacobsen is often celebrated primarily for his architectural achievements, Dickson and Lund-Larsen emphasize that his design sensibility permeated every scale of his work. “Most books about Arne Jacobsen focus on him as an architect,” the authors explain. “In Denmark, he is primarily seen as a building designer who happened to create furniture, lamps, and other products on the side. Our aim was to explore the untold stories of his design work beyond architecture.”

Indeed, Jacobsen’s creations, whether monumental or intimate, have a timeless quality. “His designs still feel remarkably modern,” the authors note. “They carry an air of sophistication and freshness that makes them look contemporary even today. That’s why his chairs frequently appear in music videos, advertisements, and interior magazines. The Egg Chair, for example, provides a perfectly framed stage for a public figure without demanding all the attention—it’s both functional and visually compelling.”

Here, the authors highlight ten of Jacobsen’s most remarkable projects, spanning architecture, furniture, lighting, and textiles:

1. Søllerød Town Hall, 1941
In the suburban town of Søllerød, ten miles north of Copenhagen, Jacobsen, alongside classmate Flemming Lassen, designed a town hall that exemplifies his holistic approach. Every detail of the building—from chairs and lamps to door handles, clocks, and signage lettering—was carefully considered. Completed in 1942, the listed building still stands today, largely unchanged internally, demonstrating Jacobsen’s enduring attention to detail and craftsmanship.

2. Lemons in Net for Textil Lassen, 1948
During World War II, Jacobsen and his wife Jonna fled to Sweden, where they began designing textiles to support themselves. Their early designs were romantic, colorful, and optimistic, often depicting flowers, plants, and everyday scenes. The 1948 design Lemons in Net exemplifies this cheerful aesthetic. Over time, their work evolved into more abstract and geometric patterns, suitable for upholstery, curtains, tablecloths, wallpaper, and even women’s dresses.

3. The Ant Chair, 1952
Jacobsen’s experience in textile production revealed the potential of industrial manufacturing, which he later applied to furniture design. In 1952, he introduced the lightweight laminated Ant Chair, followed by the 7 Chair, the Grand Prix, and other variants. Featuring a three-dimensional shell for seat and backrest, mounted on minimal bent tubular steel legs, these chairs became iconic for their innovative use of materials and simplicity of form.

4. Furniture for Munkegaard School, 1955
The post-war baby boom in Denmark prompted extensive school construction. Jacobsen designed the furniture, lamps, and even loudspeakers for Munkegaard School, a project completed in 1957. Each classroom received its own courtyard garden, offering students a secluded space during recess, and the furniture was custom-sized for different age groups. Jacobsen’s attention to detail extended to the layout, natural light, and integration of classical sculptures, reflecting his love for architecture and gardening.

5. The AJ Door Handle, 1956
To counterbalance the sharp angles of many of his steel-and-glass buildings, Jacobsen designed objects that engaged the human touch organically. The AJ door handle, first used in The Royal Hotel (1960), exemplifies this philosophy. Its elegant, tactile form remains in production today, offering a seamless blend of functionality and aesthetic grace.

6. Rødovre Town Hall, 1956
Jacobsen closely monitored architectural trends and often drew inspiration from international examples. The Rødovre Town Hall, completed in 1956, reflects influences seen in Eero Saarinen’s General Motors Technical Center in Michigan. Jacobsen’s design translates these modernist ideas into a distinctly Danish context, blending functionality, proportion, and elegance.

7. AJ Cutlery, 1957
Jacobsen’s philosophy of minimalism and proportion extends to his smallest creations. The AJ cutlery series exemplifies this, with every curve meticulously crafted to please the eye as much as the hand. Designed for The Royal Hotel in the late 1950s, the series continues to be celebrated for its elegant simplicity and enduring appeal.

8. The Swan and The Egg Chairs, 1958
Jacobsen embraced new materials and technologies in the 1950s, including hardened styropor, which allowed him to create contoured, upholstered furniture for The Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. The Egg and The Swan chairs, along with The Drop and The Pot, became iconic for their organic shapes, comfort, and sculptural presence, reflecting Jacobsen’s commitment to both industrial innovation and human-centered design.

9. Kubeflex Modular House, 1969–70
In the final years of his career, Jacobsen experimented with flexible, transportable architecture. Kubeflex, a modular cube-like housing system, allowed prefabricated units to be delivered and assembled on-site. Although only one was completed, it functioned for many years as a vacation home for the Jacobsen family and now resides in the Trapholt Museum in Kolding, Denmark, as a testament to his forward-thinking approach to residential design.

10. Textiles, Lighting, and Interiors Across Decades
Throughout his career, Jacobsen consistently applied his design principles to textiles, lighting, and interiors. From romantic patterns in the 1940s to the sleek modernism of the 1960s, his work demonstrates a seamless blend of creativity, precision, and practicality. Jacobsen’s designs remain influential today, frequently referenced in contemporary interiors, fashion, and media.

The Designs of Arne Jacobsen: Interiors, Furniture, Lighting and Textiles, 1925–1971 is published by Prestel Publishing and will be available on September 2, 2025. The book offers an in-depth exploration of Jacobsen’s diverse work, highlighting why he remains one of the most admired and relevant figures in design history, whose creations continue to inspire and captivate the modern eye.

Dezeen’s top five houses of August 2025 showcase a fascinating array of contemporary architectural approaches from across the globe, spanning Australia, Sweden, Belgium, and Italy. This month’s selection highlights creative renovations, sensitive site interventions, and bold designs that fuse tradition with modernity. Each project demonstrates how architects are responding to context, lifestyle, and the natural environment while delivering innovative homes that captivate both residents and visitors alike.

Omloop Farmhouse, Belgium – Hé!
In Belgium, architecture studio Hé! reimagined a traditional Flemish farmhouse by inserting a glazed timber and metal volume into the roof. This new upper-level living space not only maximizes natural light but also strengthens the home’s connection with the surrounding hilly landscape. The renovation emphasizes a more compact, efficient internal layout, bringing a contemporary layer of comfort and functionality to a historic building. By subtly blending modern materials with traditional forms, Hé! has created a home that celebrates both heritage and innovative design.

Mygunyah by the Circus, Melbourne, Australia – Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
In Melbourne, Australian studio Matt Gibson Architecture + Design transformed a 19th-century terraced house in North Fitzroy into a dynamic family home named Mygunyah by the Circus. The project involved adding two contrasting brick extensions informed by Arts and Crafts architectural traditions. These additions expand the long, narrow home to accommodate a seven-member family while creating a harmonious dialogue between the original structure and contemporary interventions. The result is a carefully composed blend of historical character and functional modern living.

Birdwood, Brisbane, Australia – Peter Besley
At the base of Mount Coot-tha in Brisbane, architect Peter Besley wrapped a house in a combination of perforated reclaimed terracotta brick and metal mesh designed to support climbing plants. Named Birdwood, the residence caters to a multi-generational family seeking a home that allows them to age in place comfortably. The layered façade not only provides privacy and shade but also encourages interaction with the garden and local environment. Besley’s design demonstrates how thoughtful material choices and spatial planning can foster a sustainable, family-oriented living experience.

Horsö, Kalmar, Sweden – Bross and Nick Flygt
In the Swedish woodland of Kalmar, the minimalist summer house Horsö by Bross and Nick Flygt is a study in restraint and harmony with nature. Finished in untreated wood, the home blends seamlessly into its forested surroundings while offering expansive views from carefully positioned openings. The architects designed the structure to have a low-key presence, ensuring that the building coexists unobtrusively with the landscape. This project exemplifies a quiet, contemplative approach to architecture, where simplicity and material honesty enhance the relationship between occupants and nature.

Patio House, Sicily, Italy – Solum
On a coastal site in Sicily, Italian studio Solum designed the Patio House with a series of monolithic volumes connected by a narrow, winding alleyway that serves as the entrance. The home’s spatial choreography contrasts “labyrinthine” interior spaces with dramatic, open views of the sea, creating an experiential journey from enclosed to expansive. Solum’s design balances privacy, intimacy, and spectacle, offering a compelling example of how architecture can respond creatively to both the physical context and the poetic possibilities of a coastal setting.

Together, these five homes highlight a diverse spectrum of contemporary design thinking, from playful material experiments to minimalist retreats, from family-oriented renovations to site-responsive coastal living. Each project demonstrates a unique architectural voice while showing how modern homes can be both functional and inspirational, deeply rooted in their environments yet forward-looking in design.

Forth Atlanta Hotel Wrapped in Striking Concrete Diagrid by Morris Adjmi Architects

New York-based Morris Adjmi Architects has transformed the skyline of Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward with the design of Forth Atlanta, a 16-storey hotel and members club that fuses bold architectural innovation with sophisticated interiors. Situated just steps from the city’s beloved BeltLine and overlooking a historic park, the new-build property reflects both the industrial heritage and the vibrant, modern energy of the neighborhood.

At the heart of Forth Atlanta’s visual identity is a striking concrete diagrid, a criss-crossing exoskeleton that wraps around the glass tower and defines the building’s presence from every angle. Morris Adjmi Architects carefully crafted this structural feature to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. “The diagonal columns not only enhance the building’s visual character but also contribute to its structural integrity,” the studio explained. Behind the cast-in-place concrete framework, a window wall allows natural light to flood the interiors while creating an elegant sense of depth and transparency along the façade.

The building’s lower three floors are clad in grey brickwork, a nod to the industrial fabric of nearby Ponce City Market, itself a restored historic complex that now functions as a bustling retail and dining hub. These podium levels extend outward to create terraces, including a 2,300-square-foot open-air terrace with a swimming pool to the south and a more intimate terrace for members to the north, providing the perfect combination of leisure and scenic city views.

Inside, Forth Atlanta blends industrial charm with warm, sophisticated touches. The hotel lobby is expansive yet welcoming, featuring slate floors, dark wood panelling, and textured plaster walls that create a tactile, layered aesthetic. Plush furniture clusters around a statement fireplace clad in thin ceramic tiles, while low ambient lighting enhances the intimate, retreat-like atmosphere. Art and design play a key role in the interiors: a whimsical diorama by Becca Barnet sits behind the concierge desk, incorporating taxidermy foxes, pinned butterflies, and natural foliage to bring curiosity and charm to the space. A painting by Jack Spencer depicts a forest entrance, greeting visitors with a nature-inspired motif, while a BDDW mountain tapestry anchors a seating area with a mix of vintage and contemporary furniture.

The guest rooms and suites continue the theme of refined comfort, with the concrete diagrid casting dynamic shadows across the windows. Interiors feature rich earth tones, textured surfaces, and patterned wallpapers that balance sophistication with warmth, creating spaces that feel both modern and deeply personal.

Forth Atlanta also boasts four distinct dining and drinking destinations, each offering a unique atmosphere. A street-level café and bar provides casual dining, while Il Premio, an Italian steakhouse, impresses with dark wood finishes, jewel-toned accents, and luxurious patterned upholstery. The poolside restaurant and bar, Elektra, channels Mediterranean influences with sage green tones, turquoise accents, and warm wooden furnishings, creating a relaxing outdoor dining experience. On the rooftop, the 1970s-inspired cocktail lounge Moonlight offers a retro yet refined ambiance, with glass-block windows, brown leather sofas, and chrome-finished furnishings and lighting that capture the era’s playful sophistication.

The Forth Atlanta hotel exemplifies how architecture and interior design can merge heritage, modernity, and luxury into a single cohesive experience. From its bold concrete diagrid and terraced podium to its curated interiors and bespoke furnishings, every element is designed to offer guests and members a unique, immersive environment.

Situated in a neighborhood that has undergone remarkable transformation over the last two decades, the hotel sits alongside landmark developments such as Olson Kundig’s glass-clad office buildings and the revitalized Ponce City Market. Forth Atlanta not only contributes to the architectural narrative of the Old Fourth Ward but also elevates the standard of hospitality with a thoughtful balance of aesthetic daring, functional design, and human-centered comfort.

Danish design studio Swift Creatives has reimagined home surveillance with a collection of modular CCTV cameras that blend functionality with playful sculptural forms. Inspired by whimsical “silly straws,” the Sculptural Surveillance system aims to make outdoor security both effective and visually engaging.

The system is crafted from powder-coated aluminum components, each with distinct shapes and functions that can be combined to create a bespoke surveillance solution for gardens, yards, or landscaped areas. Interchangeable heads allow users to integrate cameras, lighting, motion sensors, speakers, and tracing lamps, while the middle extender section can be customized in straight, bent, or wavy configurations.

“This concept not only redefines the practical use of home surveillance but also adds a touch of sculptural and architectural sophistication to outdoor spaces,” explained the Swift Creatives team.

Developed by the studio’s in-house innovation lab in Aarhus, Denmark, Sculptural Surveillance challenges the conventional, utilitarian aesthetics that dominate the modern security market. CEO Carsten Eriksen wanted a playful alternative to bulky, uninspiring CCTV cameras, which inspired the team to explore expressive forms. The resulting system ranges from tall, straight cameras capable of 360-degree rotation to looping, candy-cane-like shapes that double as design features.

Installation is straightforward, thanks to a screw fixture at the base suitable for earth, wood, or concrete. Prototypes have been deployed across Denmark to showcase their versatility and gauge public reaction, which Eriksen describes as “curious, excited, and genuinely enthusiastic.”

The colorful powder-coated aluminum modules make the cameras both durable and eye-catching. Swift Creatives, known for working with brands like LG, Panasonic, and Samsung, has previously designed a smart cooking system for restaurant-quality home meals and won Dezeen and Samsung’s top prize for a kinetic digital mobile featuring gently moving fish.

With Sculptural Surveillance, Swift Creatives proves that home security doesn’t have to be boring—it can be functional, customizable, and delightfully playful.

London-based architecture studio Wright & Wright has completed an ambitious renovation and extension of Lambeth Palace, the 800-year-old official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, this Grade I-listed estate encompasses a remarkable collection of buildings dating back to the 12th century. The recent works involved meticulous restoration, sensitive updating, and strategic interventions to improve accessibility, environmental performance, and functionality while respecting the palace’s rich historical fabric.

This latest project follows Wright & Wright’s 2020 addition of a new library for Lambeth Palace, the first significant new build on the estate in nearly two centuries. Over three years, the studio undertook a comprehensive overhaul, carefully balancing the palace’s layered history with contemporary requirements.

“The masterplan was centered around understanding and working with the complex, multi-era history of Lambeth Palace,” senior associate Leanna Boxill told Dezeen. “Over centuries, successive archbishops either built or ceded land, leaving behind a unique tapestry of architectural styles – from the Chapel and Great Hall to the Blore Building and the Towers. Our work was guided by a principle of continuity and change. Every intervention was carefully considered, in close collaboration with the Church of England, engineers, archaeologists, craftspeople, and Historic England.”

A central focus of the renovation was enhancing accessibility across the estate. At the Victorian-era Blore Building overlooking the main courtyard, a new stone ramp provides an inviting and fully accessible entrance. Internally, four new lifts create smooth circulation between levels, accompanied by the addition of accessible toilets, including a larger Changing Places facility, ensuring the palace is welcoming for all visitors.

Historic interiors were thoughtfully conserved and adapted to contemporary use. The 17th-century Great Hall, which previously housed the palace’s collection of religious texts, has been restored and reopened as a versatile events space. Conservationists and stonemasons carefully repaired the timber ceiling and stone walls, while redundant bookcases were repurposed into elegant timber paneling lining the lower walls.

“The palace hosts a wide variety of charitable and public events, from NHS gatherings to services for veterans, so accessibility was paramount,” Boxill explained. “Our spatial strategy worked like a domino effect: solving one challenge often created opportunities elsewhere. This approach has ensured the palace remains a functioning residence for the Archbishop while seamlessly accommodating large-scale hospitality and events.”

Modern sustainability measures were subtly integrated into the historic site. A new energy center, discreetly concealed behind a metal-clad wall, houses three air-source heat pumps connected to reconfigured service routes and a new system of radiators. The installation was made more efficient through careful attention to double glazing and energy flow, all without disrupting the palace’s daily operations.

The renovation process involved extensive archaeological investigation. Excavations revealed Saxo-Norman deposits, medieval cesspits, Tudor cloisters, and even human skeletal remains beneath the Guard Room, providing valuable insight into the palace’s long and layered history.

Despite the scope of the works, Lambeth Palace remained fully operational throughout the project, hosting the 2,000-person Lambeth Conference as well as rehearsals for major national events, including the Royal Funeral and Coronation.

Founded in 1994 by Sandy and Clare Wright, Wright & Wright has built a reputation for sensitive, thoughtful interventions within historically significant contexts. Beyond Lambeth Palace, the studio’s portfolio includes the renovation and extension of the Museum of the Home in Hackney and the refurbishment of the British Academy headquarters in London, both projects notable for their careful balance of heritage and contemporary design.

With the Lambeth Palace project, Wright & Wright have demonstrated a masterful ability to honor centuries of architectural history while introducing subtle, strategic modern interventions, creating a residence and civic space that is both respectful of its past and fully equipped for the demands of the present.