Harness smart custom storage
ARCHITECT JOHN PROCTOR OF PROCTOR & SHAW ON SOLUTIONS FOR MODEST-SIZED SPACES
We’re big fans of clever built-in storage – it solves functional problems and creates space at the same time. It can also imbue the scheme with a rich, material quality. It’s an opportunity to plan in a dynamic way and bring something positive to your scheme, so if you’re going to invest, it needs to be right.
Storage can be integral to a scheme, like our Marylebone apartment, in which we were tasked with making it more luxurious, but with more functionality – another bedroom and bathroom. There’s storage for services, refrigerators, boilers and sprinkler systems; it also contains the doors into the bedrooms, which are treated and detailed in the same way. As an idea, its impact has been maximised, and it engages the senses by being nice to touch – it has that emotional quality as well.
Our Shoji apartment was borne out of the philosophy of the Marylebone project – the idea of delivering more with less. Even though it’s a small space, we delivered a kitchen, dining and living experience by using the height of the space and stacking functions vertically. We created a piece of furniture in the bedroom that incorporates elements like a cleaning cupboard and a walk-in wardrobe underneath, and carefully thoughtthrough moments like the hit-and-miss stair to the bed above.
My suggestions for storage are to make it central to the design. Be bold and be analytical: if you analyse a person’s life correctly, you can be particular about what’s actually required – from storage to facilities – and there’s no excess. Spend money, make it customised and work with a professional – let the power of good design do its work.