CIE@65 - The visionary Montevetro Building
As part of our 65 year retrospective we look back at one of our legacy projects as we entered the new millennium. The era defining Montevetro, designed by RSHP was described at the time as a building that "rose like a shining phoenix from the grey ashes of urban desolation”.
The Montevetro building occupies the former old Hovis flour mill, situated on a prime west facing position fronting the River Thames. Consisting of 103 apartments and completed in the year 2000, it continues to offer luxurious and stylish apartment living.
“In contrast to other countries, we expect people to live in conventional houses when they achieve a certain position in life, Montevetro is a belated recognition that there are plenty of people who have ‘made it’ but actually want to live in the heart of London with all the amenities that the city offers in easy reach.” Marco Goldschmied, Montevetro Project Architect
CIE were appointed as the kitchen design and installation team utilising bulthaup’s iconic and groundbreaking ‘System 25’ to align with Lord Rodgers distinct material palette and vision for the development. The kitchens form part of the living areas and provide access to the west façade balconies, giving magnificent views over the river, Chelsea and West London.
Material consideration was a key focus of the team at Montevetro. The modular concept of bulthaup's system 25 based on units of 25mm incorporated new surface materials and elements designed specifically for their purpose. This material honesty, a key guiding principle behind bulthaup philosophy, ensured each item was selected exclusively for the purpose of improving functionality capacity and extending the life of the kitchen furniture - glass for showcase cabinetry, stainless steel for surfaces needing a high degree of wear. System 25 added to the aesthetic - these were kitchens that were not an 'optional extra' but added to the very essence of how the rooms should be used and enjoyed.
A testament to this, is that CIE are still approached by residents 25 years later, who choose to bring their appliances up-to-date rather than change their bulthaup system 25 cabinetry, often commenting how it still looks as contemporary and sleek as the day it was installed. A true nod to their age defying craftsmanship and quality, the ultimate in sustainable kitchen design.
Kitchens should be spaces that people enjoy spending a lot of time in. The design is not therefore an aesthetic afterthought; it’s a functional component. Thanks to its modernism, functionality and versatility, the brand becomes synonymous with the progressive notion of “kitchen as a living space” architecture. bulthaup "The Kitchen as a Living Area"
To this day, there are very few buildings that can compete with Montevetro in terms of its impact on modern day apartment living. It continues to be a masterclass of sophisticated Thameside building design. A testament to its revolutionary approach and impact upon London’s inner city residential redevelopment.
Iconic looks, stunning location and supreme quality of finish and specification, Residents continue to enjoy what they call "a very special place to live."
