I have been working in Architecture and Design since 2000 and one of the things that I really think is definitely different from where I was working and building, is how Britain preserves their heritage and try to keep a vision of the future by integrating it on their daily homes.
I am not speaking about Smart Homes with all the gadgets, I am talking about blueprints modifications. Picking up the heritage and sometimes Grade listed buildings/Houses and reformulate the interior.
One of the best examples I can give is the Hotel (Doubletree by Hilton) Cadbury House.
The Cadbury House Was built in 1790 and was the private residence situated in a 80 acres that has seen from Hunting balls to Medieval banquets, later to be made a school and now after £28 Million spent on restoration, is now part of the Hiton through DoubleTree.
I was there myself to take a look and appreciate the fusion from the past and how the future is installed.
The turret and the walls and even the original fireplace are still there, as well as a huge rock wall integrated, in comparison to the modern rooms and the 3 star Michelin restaurant of Marco Pierre White, that gives all the luxury that this building deserves, plus the award winning brand new Spa and healthclub with their modern equipment.
Why a Fusion?
For many, Future is about minimalistic and the more gadgets it has, the more modern.
For me, Fusion is picking up the past and transform without loosing the root of the building. the story of something built that will value the building for it in the future. Have you ever heard of an ancient know building with a story that isn’t really well evaluated? They all cost fortunes, so think of an excellent investment for the future.
Britain is full of the most charismatic history in the whole world and if you go towards the future without learning or even forgetting the past, maybe the lesson wasn’t learned or, in this case, the building wasn’t loved enough or appreciate the way it should.
The future for Interior Design or even in Architecture will always have 2 sides. Those that will pick up a terrain and build the most modern lines with the use of bigger windows to make use of the sun and not consume so much artificial energy, using clean spaces and clean neutral colours for the most impeccable view and speckless living.
Other (as myself) think on the idea of places that cannot support new building (cities like Tokyo can be a good example, or even London city central, zone 1 or 2), in which the terrain are excessively expensive or there aren’t spaces; and pick the building or houses that sometimes have the best location and make the most out of it, preserving the façade and turning the interior, from walls and floorings, to insulation, windows and then home automation system to create comfort and make the future enter through a 1700’s door.
That vision for me is the future in British architecture and Interior Design. The fantasy of entering a building with story and then reaching to a futuristic centre beauty.
