Built, 2020
This three-bedroom 1930s mid-terraced house located in Walthamstow, London measured approximately 125 square meters in its existing condition. MIMStudios designed a large 6m rear extension with a new kitchen/dining area as well as a loft conversion facing the rear garden. The new loft space includes two bedrooms and a bathroom. In addition to these new rear and loft extensions, the interior of the house also went through complete refurbishment, including new designs for the two existing bathrooms located on the ground and the first floor. Where possible existing windows, doors and solid timber floorboards, which were hidden under an old carpet, were all refinished and preserved yielding to a more sustainable and a budget-friendly design.
On the ground floor, the living room is separated from the new rear extension with large sliding doors that can open up to connect the two spaces. The generous rear extension structure maximises the ceiling height with its pitched roof design. Two large skylights aligned above the kitchen island and the crittall style window system to the back brings in an abundance of natural light into the space.
The existing anteroom is extended across the new extension all the way to the rear garden. This throughway connection demarcates the ‘service’ section of the house where vertical circulation, lavatories and kitchen are all located. The material change in the floor of the rear extension registers this split and identifies the different kitchen and dining zones under the same roof. A similar method of demarcation operates on the playful design of the new bathrooms through the use of colour and material change, which yields to the perception of these compact spaces in multiple scales simultaneously.
Client Testimonial:
“We worked with MIM Studios to completely remodel and renovate our 1930s terraced house, which included installing a large rear extension and converting the loft. MIM instantly understood our design aims and delivered inventive and perceptive designs. In particular, they astutely maximised the light at the rear. They also created a practical solution to the flow of the property, by designing a corridor directly through from the front door to the kitchen. Finally, they were able to present digital images of design options and concepts for the bathrooms and kitchen, which was extremely helpful when deciding on materials and colours.
When we encountered roadblocks with our planning application to the council, MIM offered creative design solutions to be able to move forward with the project confidently, and as the project progressed into the build phase, they supported us through some tricky decisions we had to make and were on-site every week without fail to support us and keep the project on track.
We would highly recommend working with MIM due to their great design ability, attention to detail and collaborative, supportive approach. Plus they’re really lovely people who went above and beyond the job specification to ensure our project was realised and realised beautifully.”
L. Lafferty, London
Structural Engineer: Engineeria
Photography: NAARO
Under Construction, 2020
MIM Studios provided design consultancy for a private client whilst the refurbishment of their cottage in Surrey was already underway. We worked closely with our client on the overall design through the use of 3D modelling and visualisations. We helped establish a spatially and materially coherent design for the interior and the exterior of the project with minimum altercations to the ongoing construction.
Client Testimonial:
“MIM Studios delivered their creative designs on time and we really appreciated their ideas on our bungalow conversion. We would use them again and would recommend them to anyone who needs an architect/designer. We are really looking forward to their vision being realized as our builder finishes in Spring 2021 “
C. Baker, Surrey
Competition Entry, 2020
Examples of traditional South Asian architecture for large public gatherings such as places of worship, communal baths and bazaars were the main inspiration for our preliminary design idea. Cascading, geometric patterns that orient the visitors towards a central space from which the public engagement emanates is a recurring spatial feature across the countries from the region.
This innovative design inspired by traditional South Asian architecture and culture will result in a bold and forward-looking gallery. Our design aspires to evoke a social analogy for the region it represents as well as a formal one. The interconnectedness of the artefacts through the ceiling infrastructure allows for the rich cultural connections of the region to unfurl within this dynamic and generous space.
Competition Entry, 2020
No Arc is an island!
Our proposal aspires to utilise the power of architecture to communicate, on many levels, the ever-dire threats we face today. We strongly believe that solutions to global warming can only be reached collectively. No Arc design represents multiplicity and bottom-up engagement. Its taffrail, formed by many individual slats, leads you to the top deck where a pleasant sunset over London or - possibly - a moment of reflection on raising water levels could be experienced.
No Arc aspires to attract visitors to engage within the public realm and shuns away from doom merchandising.
Interior of the pavilion functions as a space for gathering, where ideas to challenge the current norms and authorities can ignite. The monolith mast is the catalyst for revolution. It encourages development through externalising the obstacles we face internally, albeit with good humour and playfulness.
Competition Entry, 2020
VISION
In 2020, climbing a light tower for expansive vistas over a cityscape is no longer the novelty that it once was. The New Urban Confluence Light Tower will stand out from its predecessors; its elegant and slender form shifting the attention from the city’s skyline back to civic space below where transformation takes place. Put simply, a design that echoes the culture of San José: a city built on ground-up innovation.
360-DEGREE VIEWS
Everyone with a smartphone will have access to 360-degree views from The New Urban Confluence Tower. Furthermore, these views will be layered with augmented reality displays providing information on the resident companies and organizations’ progress towards their renewable energy and energy-conservation targets.
The tower itself will provide real-world feedback on that progress, as excess renewable electricity is channelled into a filigree of lights spiralling the tower’s height. This unique lighting design in motion will serve as a progress meter for San José and, in time, with a fully-lit beacon as the example San José sets for a world moving toward a greener future.
STRUCTURE
The tower’s hybrid structure will consist of timber and steel in order to achieve harmony within its natural surroundings and to minimize its overall carbon footprint. Timber glulam members with steel connections at the core will be reinforced with steel cables wrapping in the counter direction. This slender tubular structure without any live-loads will house a series of wind turbines to provide the energy for achieving a ‘net-zero’ design. Excess energy from the city grid will power the lighting design following the steel cables.
GROUND
The New Urban Confluence Light Tower will touch down lightly towards the south-western corner of the park without harming any existing trees. Taking advantage of San José’s suitable weather, the base of the tower will be an accessible amphitheatre providing space for people from diverse backgrounds to engage in discussions, performances and demonstrations. By uniting present realities with a literally brighter future, this design will cultivate San José’s civic pride and set an example for communities around the world.
Built, 2019
The impetus behind our design for the installation at Aviva Campus was the history of the site as a textile manufacturing workshop. The dynamic and sculptural surface qualities of a precariously laid fabric inspired the overall form.
The array of multi-directional perspex fins capture the constant movement through the reception where the installation is located. The translucency and the reflective qualities of the material yield to a fixed sculpture piece that is seemingly in constant flux.
The production of the installation was a collaboration with Base Structures.
Built, 2019
MIMStudios collaborated with K+1 for the design of Maison Pyramide pop-up shop at Harvey Nichols department store this summer. The design consists of a space organizing, 3-dimensional structure that captured Maison Pyramide’s collective brand identity whilst providing individual sections for each designer Maison Pyramide represents. The geometric landscape of pedestals in dialogue with the existing built-in shelves provide space-efficient display areas for the products. The bright yellow surface on which the pedestals land wrapps up the wall creating an immersive experience in vivid summer colours for the visitor. The main structure beautifully detailed and manufactured by VRDC consists of individual pieces assembled together on-site by hinges resulting in a very flexible design. The entire structure can be flat-packed and transferred to a new location to be re-assembled with angles that adapt to the specific location. The next stop for our design is Maison Pyramide showroom in Paris!
Built, 2018
The design of Tsujiri’s new London shop aims for a sense of simplicity through the use of large uninterrupted surfaces as it draws inspiration from traditional Japanese art and architecture. Detail and intricacy come through the materiality of these surfaces as in the grains of the timber ceiling and stone countertop.
Upon entry, visitors are guided straight under the curving timber ceiling where they can place their orders. The curved service counter then directs them back towards the seating area at the shop front. Also here, tucked behind the counter, is the staircase leading up to the mezzanine level where additional seating area can be found. Contrasting shades of grey applied in large swaths onto the walls and to the floor clearly delineate areas of service and rest.
Curved elements in the interior resonates with the existing shop front design and canopy creating a cohesive overall reading. The softness these geometries bring into the space are reinforced with the warmth of the timber and the indirect lighting they receive, creating a cozy and serene atmosphere amongst the bustling Chinatown street the new shop is located on.
Built-in display shelves on both level are decorated with the traditional Japanese tea boxes which will be the complementary backdrop for the many who come in to enjoy the long lasting experience of matcha at Tsujiri’s new hot spot.
This project has been shortlisted for the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2017/18 and is also featured in numerous design websites and publications including the below.
https://design-milk.com/tsujiri-japanese-tea-bar-in-chinatown-london-by-mimstudios/
https://www.designboom.com/architecture/japanese-tea-bar-tsujiri-mimstudios-05-22-2018/
http://www.contemporist.com/tsujiri-london-japanese-tea-house/
Built, 2017
Built, 2016
Built, 2017
MIMStudios was asked to remodel and design the new X-it Beauty Salon on Rupert Street.
The space compromises of a narrow high ceiling entrance area which directly leads you from the busy Rupert Street market area into an exciting yet calming space.
A undulating timber ceiling installation creates a warm and welcoming space. The hanging sections provide the space with indirect light as well as hide and make all installation and ventilation running along the ceiling space easily accessible.
A small alcove niche was transformed in a built-in reception desk to leave keep the narrow space free for circulation.
Downstairs a sufficient layout for 3 treatment rooms are all featuring brick walls and simple details to give the clients a calming and restorative experience.
Client Testimonial:
“I was relocating my business into smaller premises due to ever rising rents in central London. I was at a complete loss as to how I was going to make the site look not only good but an improvement on the bigger one we left. I instructed MIMStudios to help.
Firstly they organised the complete layout and liaised with the build team throughout. They also presented several design ideas for the entrance and helped us to choose all the best lighting solutions for the treatment rooms and entrance area possible within our budget. They were professional and prompt throughout. I could never have have got the "look" along with the standard of finish without them. MIMStudios is a great architecture and design studio who possess strong innovative ideas. They are very hands on and I highly recommend them. “
T. Davies, London
Built, 2017
Platinum ring with three diamonds
Built, 2013
in collaboration with Eldine Heep and Judith Schafelner