INSIDE AWARD-WINNING DESIGN: 5 DESIGN PRINCIPLES FROM A.LONDON
AT HOME WITH A.LONDON | October 2026
What transforms a beautifully designed residence into an award-winning one?
For us, it is rarely one statement piece or a single design decision. It is the relationship between hundreds of choices, from understanding the character of a property and the people it is designed for, to the materials, craftsmanship and details that bring the finished interior together.
This approach was recently recognised at The International Design & Architecture Awards 2026, where our work at 36 & 37 Hertford Street Residences was named the winner in the Luxury Residence - Global category.
Created in collaboration with developer CIT Group Partners LLP, the award-winning show residence forms part of a boutique collection of 16 homes across two architecturally significant buildings in the heart of Mayfair. Our brief was to respect the heritage and character of the setting while creating an interior that captures the warmth, individuality and understated elegance of contemporary Mayfair living.
To mark the achievement, we spoke with A.LONDON lead interior designer Edward Bishop about the thinking behind Hertford Street and five of the principles that shaped its design.
“Winning in the Luxury Residence - Global category is incredibly rewarding and a real recognition of the thought and care that went into the project.
From the outset, our focus was on respecting the character of the building while creating a home that feels warm, welcoming and relevant to how people live today. It’s fantastic to see that vision recognised on a global stage.”
Edward Bishop
Interior Designer
Ed’s Top 5 Design Principles
NO1. - BALANCE
Balance is about distributing visual weight so that no single element or area dominates a room. Furniture, artwork, lighting, colour and materials all play a part, as does the space intentionally left around them.
At 36 & 37 Hertford Street Residences, sculptural forms are balanced with quieter pieces, while tactile materials, antique details and a refined tonal palette create interest without overwhelming the interior.
It is a principle A.LONDON brings to every project, considering how the eye moves through a room, how furniture relates to the architecture and where negative space is needed. When these elements work together, a room feels naturally considered and composed.
NO. 2 - FUNCTIONALITY
Another principle is that a beautiful interior must also work effortlessly for the people living within it. Circulation, lighting, storage and furniture placement are considered from the outset, ensuring practical needs become part of the design rather than an afterthought.
At Hertford Street, this meant anticipating the lifestyle of a future resident. Natural walking paths, considered proportions, integrated storage and layered lighting all contribute to a home that feels intuitive to use.
Across our projects, the individual requirements may change, but the principle remains the same: the design should work around the people who live there, not the other way around.
NO.3 - MATERIALITY
Bringing together a variety of materials and textures is key to creating an interior with depth and visual interest. Stone, timber, metal, glass and tactile fabrics can each introduce a different character, creating moments of focus throughout a space.
At Hertford Street, this layering of materials brings richness to the interior without relying on bold colour or statement features. The contrast between smooth and textured, soft and structured, contemporary and traditional gives the residence a sense of depth that reveals itself gradually.
NO.4 - CONTEXT
Every project has a story before we arrive, and we believe the architecture and location should play an important role in what comes next.
This was central to Hertford Street . Set within two architecturally significant buildings in Mayfair, the design needed to respect the heritage and character of its surroundings while feeling relevant to contemporary life. Architectural details, materials and furnishings were considered with this relationship in mind, creating an interior that feels connected to its setting rather than imposed upon it.
N0.5 - INDIVIDUALITY
A home feels more personal when everything does not appear to have been sourced at the same time. For A.LONDON, introducing one-off and antique pieces is an effective way to give an interior individuality, character and a sense of history.
At Hertford Street, antique details and carefully sourced pieces sit alongside contemporary furniture and bespoke elements. This mix creates a more collected feel, where individual objects become points of interest and bring their own story to the wider interior.
AS FEATURED IN
Recognition of a Shared Vision
An award-winning residence is never the work of one person. It is the result of a shared vision, strong relationships and close collaboration from the earliest conversations through to the final details.
For 36 & 37 Hertford Street Residences, we worked closely with developer CIT Group Partners LLP to bring that vision to life. Set across two architecturally significant buildings in the heart of Mayfair, the development comprises a boutique collection of 16 one- and two-bedroom residences, with A.LONDON responsible for the interior design of the show residence.
Our shared ambition was to create an interior that respected the heritage and character of its Mayfair setting while speaking to the expectations and lifestyle of a modern international resident. Working in close partnership with CIT allowed us to develop an interior that complemented the architecture while also playing an important role in the positioning and successful presentation of the development to market.
The finished residence reflects the work of many hands, from our designers and the team at CIT to the craftspeople, makers, consultants and partners who contributed their expertise throughout the project.
Receiving the Luxury Residence - Global Award is a proud recognition of that collective effort and the strength of the partnership behind it.
For us, however, the principles behind Hertford Street extend beyond awards. They reflect the approach we bring to every home we create: understanding the people and place, working collaboratively, designing with purpose and giving every detail the consideration it deserves.