Set high above London’s evolving Canada Water district, a three-bedroom penthouse at The Founding reimagines high-rise living through the lens of domestic intimacy.
Designed by Conran and Partners for British Land, the project introduces a richly layered, townhouse-inspired sensibility to a landmark residential tower—softening its industrial framework with colour, craft and a distinctly personal touch.
Occupying the 32nd floor, the penthouse commands sweeping views from Canary Wharf to the City of London. Rather than competing with this expansive urban panorama, the design frames it as a constant presence—an ever-changing backdrop to interiors conceived as an “aspirational sanctuary.” The brief called for a home that felt both imaginative and grounded: a space defined not by minimalism, but by warmth, tactility and narrative depth.
Central to this vision is a bold chromatic strategy described by partner and principal Simon Kincaid as a “blue drench.” Here, blue replaces traditional neutrals, enveloping the apartment in tones that echo shifting skies and atmospheric light. The effect is immersive yet calming, subtly reinforcing the sensation of living among the clouds while anchoring the interior palette.
This tonal foundation is complemented by a curated layering of furniture, art and materiality. Vintage pieces and rare design finds sit alongside bespoke elements, including a sculptural sofa developed with Ateliers London in a warm terracotta upholstery that gently offsets the dominant blues. Iconic works by Carlo Scarpa, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld and Gastone Rinaldi introduce moments of design heritage, while artworks from British Land’s private collection—including pieces by David Hockney—add cultural resonance.
The spatial sequence unfolds with careful consideration. An intimate entrance nook doubles as a reading corner, setting a contemplative tone before opening into the main living area. Here, low-slung furniture preserves uninterrupted sightlines, allowing the skyline to remain the room’s focal point. Organic forms soften the building’s industrial architecture, while a leather daybed lends a subtle, hotel-like sense of indulgence.
Material contrasts continue in the kitchen, where dark veneered cabinetry is articulated with black metal framing and recessed detailing. A backdrop of glossy white tiles reflects light in a manner reminiscent of nearby waterways, subtly tying the interior to its dockside context.
Textile interventions by emerging artist Lara Pain introduce another layer of narrative. Her handwoven works—crafted from wool, linen and cotton—draw on the site’s industrial heritage, their deliberately imperfect stitching offering a quiet, tactile counterpoint to the precision of the architecture. These pieces reinforce the project’s emphasis on craft as both aesthetic and storytelling device.
Private spaces extend the apartment’s tonal and material richness. The master bedroom, oriented towards Canary Wharf, is conceived as a tranquil retreat, wrapped in a sinuous silk curtain that softens the light and introduces a gentle sense of enclosure. Industrial accents—including a steel triangle lamp and a round mirror by Beton Brut—maintain a dialogue with the building’s architectural language, while a floating 1960s artwork by Gustaf Höglund punctuates the space with a subtle vintage note.
The secondary bedrooms shift in mood and palette. One embraces earthy terracotta hues to create a cocooning atmosphere, while the other adopts a lighter, more playful expression, with butter-yellow walls framing a bespoke headboard. Each room is distinct yet cohesive, contributing to an overall sense of a home that has been thoughtfully collected over time.
Throughout the penthouse, Conran and Partners negotiates a delicate balance between the industrial character of The Founding and the intimacy of residential life. “Our aim was to bring the warmth and intimacy of a townhouse into a high-rise setting,” says Kincaid. “A bespoke aspirational layer of art, craft and glamour is set within the building’s industrial architecture, creating a home that feels both curated and in dialogue with the skyline.”
