Bechtolsheim

Masters in spatial reconfiguration, textural innovation and the application of colour. A multidisciplinary studio reimagining city living.

With over 30 years’ combined experience working in the fields of architecture, design and art, siblings Felix and Valerie von Bechtolsheim founded their eponymous studio in 2018. With a shared mission to create spaces that feel comfortable yet stimulating, they honour the cultural influences and history of the buildings’ local environments. With an eclectic portfolio of plots and projects, signature moves for the duo include raw textures, natural materials, carefully-curated colour palettes and the innovative expansion of space.

Perhaps their most notorious project is Notting Hill’s coveted restaurant, Gold. Drawing material inspiration from Portobello Road’s once thriving industrial past, four spacious floors have been finished with warm tones, verdant greenery and configured to maximise light. In the garden room, Their architectural prowess was realised in a retractable glass roof.

No stranger to small plot sizes, their work on Prince’s Mews and a roof conversion in Chesterton Road exemplify their abilities to recognise a building’s potential and reimagine the homes with light and volume. Their most recent project, St Quintin Gardens, is a masterclass in materiality. Playing with positive and negative space, original brickwork has been carefully revealed to create a triangular void – a heritage centrepiece for the third-floor mezzanine reception area. An understated colour palette of pinks, whites and teals let architectural details, such as striking steel beams, take centre stage. An abundance of windows and a large skylight fill each room with uplifting natural light.