Paul McAneary Architects are delighted to announce the opening of the new critically acclaimed Mint store in Knightsbridge this week during London’s Design Week.
“The most unique dynamic and visionary design store in London,” said Max Frazer of Mint in the London Design Guide 2010. “Converted by Paul McAneary Architects, it is the perfect blank canvas on which owner Lina Kanafani can layer her treasure of her next retail adventure.” Previously, the John Pawson designed Bulthaup kitchen showroom occupied the building’s ground floor. Coincidentally Paul McAneary worked for Pawson before he established his studio and demolished his old master’s work.
The project’s brief was to reconfigure and expand the existing space. McAneary designed a new contemporary timber facade that plays with the traditional proportions of the classical building. The project expands the existing space by forming a new basement. McAneary’s most important detail is the new staircase to the lower level. It has a very special flush glazed balustrade and floating rough sawn oak treads, together with McAneary special hand rail that has a hidden inner radius to make the act of descending the staircase more pleasurable tectonic experience. Other important details include two structural glassfloors which serve to allow transparency and visual connection between the levels and allow natural light to the new lower space.
