The term “good bones” is often used to describe a building with intrinsic structural beauty that has been obscured by bad renovations or fallen into a state of disrepair. Restoring these faded gems to their former glory is an art. One that has been mastered by London-based firm 6a Architects.
Ever since they founded 6a Architects in 2001, Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald have developed a reputation for award-winning contemporary projects set within “sensitive historic environments.” Their trademark style involves stripping old buildings of all extraneous detail in an effort to expose the timeless elegance of the structure–”bones” such as a graceful arch, a paneled wall, or a dramatic enfilade. Then, at the same time, any modern updates they make are so congruous that they appear less as “additions” and more as seamless “evolutions” of the original space.
Above: Built around 1690, the buildings at Raven Row, a contemporary art space in the Spitalfields area, experienced subsequent renovations in the Rococo (1750) and Regency (1827) styles. Here, 6a Architects transformed a mishmash of 18th century rooms into elegant flats for curators and visiting artists.
Above: Raven Row received a RIBA Award and was the only UK project selected by the Design Museum for the Brit Insurance Design Award.
Above: The “before” pictures of Raven Row reveal a space overwhelmed with ornamentation. With a simple application of subtle gray and white paint, 6a highlighted the Rocco details and at the same time minimized their competition with other striking architectural features.
Above: Recently completed, the Romney House was built in 1789 as a residence and painting studio for Georgian portrait painter George Romney. With the addition of a gracefully curving partition that maintains the original sense of volume, the architects converted a large assembly room into two bedrooms.
Above: After Romney’s death, his home suffered from a series of bad renovations. Returning the house to a single-family dwelling, 6a knit together the various levels with a dramatic winding staircase, which runs from basement to roof, where a newly added tower takes in the surrounding view from Hampstead.
Above: Details of the Romney House demonstrate 6a’s talent for blending the old and the new.
Above: The new South London Gallery won the New London Architecture Award 2011 and the Civic Trust Award Commendation 2012.
Above: A seamless incorporation of modern minimalism with historic elements, the bathrooms in the South London Gallery and LC House, exemplify 6a’s signature style.
N.B. Want more modern minimal grandeur? Take a tour of Vincent Van Duysen’s absurdly compelling contemporary residence.
Frequently asked questions
What is 6a Architects?
6a Architects is an architecture firm based in London, UK.
Who are the founders of 6a Architects?
6a Architects was founded by Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald.
What types of projects does 6a Architects specialize in?
6a Architects specializes in a wide range of projects, including residential, cultural, and commercial buildings.
What is the design philosophy of 6a Architects?
6a Architects believes in creating architecture that is both functional and poetic, and that responds to the context of the site and the needs of the client.
What was the inspiration behind the design of the Raven Row gallery?
The design of the Raven Row gallery was inspired by the historic architecture of Spitalfields, the surrounding neighborhood.
How did 6a Architects create a sense of continuity between the old and new elements of the Raven Row gallery?
6a Architects created a sense of continuity between the old and new elements of the Raven Row gallery by using similar materials and detailing, and by creating a seamless transition between the existing buildings and the new extension.
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