_Conran & Partners on interior design at the incredible Luma penthouse, King's Cross

Inspired and furnished by light - "Luma" -  the last remaining Dusk penthouse has triple aspect views inviting and amplifying sunlight in at every angle with a warm, nature-inspired colour palette animated through juxtaposing textures bringing calm and tranquility to the cubic volumes of generous ceiling height space.

Sitting on the sharp edge of contemporary design and spanning 2,200 sq ft, the remaining 'Dusk' penthouse 'brings the outside in'. Slide the floor-to-ceiling lounge doors open, or ascend the limestone staircase to your private roof terrace with life-affirming views across King's Cross, the London skyline and two green spaces immediately below - Lewis Cubitt Park and Jellicoe Gardens.

Luma's own landscaped roof terrace has been curated by plant specialists Botanical Boys.

Leading the creative team at Conran & Partners is Partner Simon Kincaid, whose design for Luma has been centred around creating "a sense of calmness and tranquillity", which is palpable as soon as you step inside.

He explains the methodology and inspiration behind the design of the Luma penthouses and wider development. 

Has the pandemic had an impact on how you design the interiors of a space? Have you seen a shift in what people are looking for with regards to the design of their new apartments?

Through the pandemic, many people were without immediate access to outdoor space so are now seeking residential spaces which bring elements of the outside in. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than at Luma, our new residential development at King’s Cross with Argent and architecture by Squire and Partners.

Our design for Luma responds to the building’s unique positioning between two adjacent green spaces to create a sense of openness for residents as well as enhancing the quality of light inside the apartments. This strong visual connection to the parks, combined with the dual aspect of many apartments, all of which have generous floor-to-ceiling heights and balconies, help to blur the boundary between inside and out.

Another focus for us now is conviviality, and more than ever, creating spaces that make people feel at ease such as generous rooms for entertainment which bring people together.

Having not had the chance to entertain at home during the pandemic, homeowners really want to show off something quite special when inviting guests into their homes, and when they go out they are drawn to those places which feel really special and atmospheric as this is what they have been missing.

Having designed more than 120 bars and restaurants around the world, we understand the importance of that wow factor and how to create a sense of occasion within a space. Now, as the lines are increasingly becoming blurred, we are able to bring this experience into the homes we design to create exceptional entertainment spaces.

At Luma the relaxing, light-filled living spaces have been designed to do just this. We have introduced a number of 1.5-height apartments across the middle floors with distinctive mezzanine living areas and dual aspect views through the length of these apartments.

In addition, the penthouses and some of the two- and three-bed apartments include a bespoke design sculptural stone island creating the perfect environment in which to bring friends and family together.

For the Luma Penthouse in Kings Cross. What was your inspiration behind the design?

Our design for Luma has been centred around creating a sense of calmness and tranquillity, bringing a peaceful quality to the building which is noticeable as soon as you step inside.

Once you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind, you are immediately struck by the relaxed warmth and serenity that greets you. Nowhere is this more powerful or better illustrated than in the penthouse, which is undoubtedly the most peaceful yet luxurious space in the building.

Can you describe the journey of designing an apartment using the Luma Penthouse as your example? Does the design concept evolve as it begins to form?

Our design for the wider Luma development tells a story of the journey from a bustling urban space to an intimate, light-filled sanctuary. As the penthouse was the final space to be designed, we wanted it to feel like it was connected to the wider development but with its own flare and unique identity, the crescendo at the top of the building with triple aspect views over lush urban gardens and a 550 sq ft private roof terrace.

For example, the bathrooms and kitchen have been designed in parallel to the apartments below, but with a more extravagant material palette.

Our designs are inspired by the building’s context and the potential buyer’s aspirations, while always considering the journey from the outside in and vice versa. Given the artisanal and vibrant heritage of King’s Cross, we have designed the penthouse with a specific buyer profile in mind.

The penthouse is entirely bespoke, with every item intentionally sourced and curated especially for this particular property. It was really key to us that the space felt like a home, rather than a show home, scattered with pieces that one might have collected throughout their years.

A defining feature of the Luma Penthouse is its storage space. Can you tell us more about the concept behind designing the well-hidden cabinets, and in particular the way they blend with the rest of the apartment.

Storage has been intelligently integrated into every space within the penthouse to meet the needs of the future resident. For example, the living space has integrated storage and display spaces which span the full width of the internal wall. Here we have married storage with decorative shelfing and bespoke artwork to offer a refined and attractive solution.

The kitchen comprises full-height units which are flush and integrated and include a walk-in pantry room behind a concealed cabinet door.

The bedrooms have large timber-lined wardrobes while the master bedroom features a clean and elegant walk-in wardrobe with full height mirrors and a lightbox ceiling to offer the optimum light required when selecting outfits and dressing. The storage zones are often full height or full width of spaces to offer generosity as well as an integrated aesthetic.

Do you welcome client involvement or do your prefer clients to be hands-off?

We very much welcome client involvement, especially when it comes to setting and developing the brief and aspiration. This enables us to create designs which are individual and personal to the client’s brief and context.

The development sits in the heart of the redeveloped  King's Cross one of the largest and most exciting regeneration projects in London. The 67-acre site has a rich history and a unique canalside setting lined with some of the capital's best restaurants, bars and shops with excellent domestic and international travel links. 

Find out more about the penthouses at Luma or speak to one of our friendly agents.