Cavendish Square | Best Multiple Dwelling Unit Design, Winner

Originally built in the 18th century as a residence for the First Lord Harcourt, this Edwardian Baroque jewel has undergone a fascinating transformation from luxury mansion flats in 1909 to a medical hub by the early 2000s. In 2016, a visionary project began to restore and upgrade this Grade II-listed landmark into a series of high-tech luxury apartments.

The collaborative effort involved an impressive roster of experts: architects Darling Associates, builders Ant Yapi Construction, and interior designers Carte Blanche Design Monaco, Helen Green, and Mokka. The integrator behind the technological marvel of this project was Inspired Dwellings, and the result was nothing short of extraordinary.

The heart of this project lay in preserving the building’s historic charm while integrating cutting-edge technology. Harcourt House now comprises 25 spacious apartments spread across six floors, each designed with meticulous attention to detail. The ground floor features a concierge, a meeting room for residents, and a private medical centre, while a wellness suite and gym are located on the lower ground floor.

A critical requirement was to maximise the return on investment for the developers, Centreland. Extensive cabling was installed throughout the apartments, including networking, lighting, speaker pre-wiring, and television socket cables, ensuring future adaptability. High-ticket hardware like Crestron and Lutron controllers, and loudspeakers were sparingly installed, with a fully equipped show apartment demonstrating potential upgrades. This approach allowed for cost-effective initial installations while offering residents the flexibility to customise their homes with additional features.

Privacy and performance were paramount in the technological design. Each apartment was equipped with a wired and wireless network, a Crestron touchpanel, video access control, television and satellite signal, Lutron lighting, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The building management system was designed to offer comprehensive control in communal areas while ensuring individual privacy through the use of virtual local area networks for each apartment. This setup allowed for a full concierge service without compromising residents' personal security.

The lighting system was another standout feature. Communal area lighting was controlled by a time clock, with façade lighting synchronised with astronomical time. Bathrooms were equipped with passive infrared sensors that could detect when an apartment was unoccupied for extended periods, triggering a holiday mode that adjusted lighting and shut off valves to simulate activity and conserve energy.

Despite facing significant challenges, including a burst pipe causing extensive damage and delays due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the project was a resounding success. The intricately programmed network system ensured seamless connectivity across apartments while maintaining strict privacy controls. The integrators overcame logistical hurdles, including the installation of plaster-over in-wall invisible speakers due to historical ceiling constraints, and precise programming of the Lutron lighting system in coordination with the lighting designer.

The fruits of these efforts are evident in the swift sale of the apartments and the high demand for bespoke upgrades, totalling over £600,000. Regular maintenance checks and remote support ensure that the technology continues to function at its best, offering residents the highest levels of service.

The presence of a medical centre within Harcourt House added another layer of complexity. Shared entrances and specific programming of the closed-circuit television and doorbell systems were required to allow medical staff limited access while ensuring residents' privacy.

As Harcourt House emerges revitalised, its transformation from a historic gem into a modern sanctuary is a sublime example of how technology can enhance our living spaces without sacrificing aesthetic value or historical integrity. This palatial residence, now a series of high-tech luxury apartments, offers a glimpse into the future of urban living, where the echoes of the past enrich the conveniences of the present.