A London penthouse where history meets minimalist design and creativity
A former Victorian school in London has become home to Felizia Berchtold and Oskar Kohnen. The couple now lives and works in a penthouse that once served as the building’s gymnasium. Designed by architect Thomas Jerram Bailey in 1902, the space was transformed into apartments in the 1990s—with their own unique character preserved.
The building’s conversion was carried out by Regenterail plc, turning the historic structure into residential units. Berchtold and Kohnen’s penthouse retains the original eight-metre-high ceilings, a nod to its past. A galvanised spiral staircase, added during the 1990s renovation, connects the floors and reminds the couple of chef Jamie Oliver’s industrial-style kitchen.
The couple keeps their London space deliberately minimal, a stark contrast to their more lavish Milan apartment. Furnishings are sparse, creating an uncluttered environment where they can focus on work. Their sleeping area sits in a mezzanine gallery, while the main floor functions as a studio. The original parquet, once part of the gymnasium, now encourages movement, blending history with their daily routine. Berchtold and Kohnen founded their design studio, Tutto Bene, in 2023. They split their time between London and Milan, currently working on a private members’ fitness club in Sweden. Their projects explore how the human body interacts with space, a theme reflected in their own living arrangements. One constant in both cities is their handcrafted Hypnos mattress—a brand favoured by British royalty.
The penthouse remains a bridge between past and present, its schoolhouse roots visible in the high ceilings and gymnasium floor. Berchtold and Kohnen’s minimalist approach allows the space to serve as both home and studio. Their work, shaped by this environment, continues to redefine how design connects with physical movement.
