Church Conversion ID: A Harmonious Blend of History and Modernity

Gianna Camilotti Transforms a 19th Century Church into a Contemporary Living Space

The Church Conversion ID project, located in Chingford, North East London, was initiated in December 2013 and completed by May 2014. The property, dating back to 1890, was purchased by Camilotti as a space for her own home and office. The design inspiration came from the desire to create a comfortable working space that could also serve as a venue for social gatherings, reminiscent of London piano-bars.

The unique properties of this design lie in its open space concept. The ground floor accommodates a working station, dining room, a grand piano, two living rooms, and a kitchen. Despite the ample space, Camilotti chose to integrate the working and living areas, creating a seamless flow between different functions. The white high gloss finish cupboard, designed by Camilotti, matches the base of the dining table, enhancing the aesthetic continuity of the space.

The design realization involved several custom-made pieces by Camilotti, including the dining table, cupboards, printed cushions, canvasses, and a 3D sofa made in white leather. The carpet on the top floor was replaced by a white wooden floor, adding to the brightness of the space. The neutral palette, predominantly white, was chosen to enhance the architecture of the building and the timber beams across the ceiling.

The design interaction is another notable feature. The long meeting table doubles as a dining table that accommodates 12 people, while the white cupboard serves as storage for both working materials and table linen. The layout chosen for the living room illustrates a new concept: the use of oversized furniture, like the extra large “island” sofa. This sofa, named "Everybody", can accommodate up to 18 people and is combined with a “quarter shaped” navy ottoman that is detachable and can be moved to any part of the sofa.

The Church Conversion ID project faced several design challenges due to the unique nature of the building. The ceiling is nearly nine metres tall at its centre, and the open area is eighteen metres long. To maintain proportion, Camilotti designed and produced oversized items such as tables, sofa and armchairs, cupboards, table lamps, cushions, canvasses, mirrors, ceiling lights, and home accessories. The result is a harmonious blend of history and modernity, a testament to Camilotti's design prowess.

Gianna Camilotti's Church Conversion ID project was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2015. This prestigious award recognizes marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that advance art, science, design, and technology. The award is a testament to Camilotti's prodigy and wisdom, and her ability to create extraordinary designs that significantly impact the world.