The power of good design
Authenticity; that most elusive of qualities. Impossible to imitate. Hard to find. Easy to shatter. It is, however, the hallmark that runs through both Moy’s and its creators. It began with the rediscovery of part of London’s lost past, a mews building that evolved through the centuries to become the crucible of early 20th century invention. Then – from the footprint of this heritage site – a new building emerged, faithful to the original but stripped back to produce beautifully connected, hand-made, individually detailed living spaces inside an extraordinary exterior. Moy’s is unique. A workshop that was once home to the people who invented Britain’s fledgling film industry, hidden in the heart of NW1. Now that same spirit of ingenuity and invention has returned, to create just eight individual homes for equally individual owners. 3 The Mews 4 5 The Architects
Christopher Ploutarhou and Charles Bettes Founder and Director – Gpad
Gpad has worked with Hamilton Court for many years and share their same dedication to precision and detail. Managing Director Christopher Ploutarhou founded the practise 15 years ago and five years later Charles Bettes joined as a Director. Between them they have worked on some of London’s most innovative buildings.
Charles: passionate about what they do “The whole attitude of and they only use people who architecture for me is to work want to make it the best. closely with the developers and It’s about quality building simply let go. Many architects are and quality design. The glazed afraid to let their projects off the bricks and recessed downpipes, rein but we’re not like that. Our all the details work together as clients are our friends because a whole design. it’s all about collaboration. They always build places We spend a long time where they would love to live.” talking to them until we are sure not just what they like, but Charles: what they don’t like too. No one “Camden is quite an person has a monopoly on how eclectic area and the use of a building should be designed.” more edgy materials reflects that. You don’t need to be an Christopher: architect to know good design. “Pratt Mews is a really good We like to work with people who example of the way Hamilton are positive about what they Court works. They’re very want. It’s a true collaboration.”
CHALK FARM St Pancras Way Chalk Farm Road 2
Gloucester Avenue CAMDEN
ROAD d Kentish Town Road a Charles and Christopher’s o R en d recommendations: m a Camden Street C 1 – York & Albany CAMDEN TOWN Gastropub Regent’s Park Road Camden High Street
127-129 Parkway Parkway Pratt Street Arlington Road 2 – The Roundhouse Music Venue 1 Albany Street Chalk Farm Road 3 MORNINGTON CRESCENT 3 – Regent’s Park Royal Park 6 7 Earnest F. Moy c.1869-1926
Mews properties were originally where the artisans and the craftsmen of history lived and worked. Moy’s was typical of dozens of businesses which crowded the streets and mews buildings in Camden Town. Cardboard box makers, motor body builders, timber merchants, glass merchants, paint makers, wire-workers and general smiths, air-conditioning firms which made sheet metal ducting, opticians. Camden was once the home to London’s largest colony of piano makers. Today, only one – Heckscher remains, just a few steps from Moy’s. By the end of the 19th century, Pratt Mews was about to make sparks fly when engineers Earnest Moy, and Percy Bastie moved in to set up their radical electronics company, filing scores of patents for their inventions. One would change the world of entertainment forever. They began a series of experiments to develop an electric camera that could record moving pictures. And thanks to a collaboration with inventor William Friese-Greene, Moy and Bastie produced what is widely recognised as the world’s first Kine camera. This is the Moy’s camera that Captain Robert Scott took to the Antarctic in 1912, that saw duty in the trenches of the First World War and, it is said, that the very first Hollywood movie was shot on. By the 21st century, however, Moy’s had gone forever and only the much neglected building remained. The ingenuity and invention, though, lives on running through every line, every brick, and every inch of this new chapter in Camden’s history.
Making History, Making Movies Photographer Herbert Ponting stands with his Moy’s camera during Captain Robert F Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition to the Antarctic in 1912. Images. of Cambridge/Getty University Institute, Research Polar Herbert by Ponting/Scott Photo 8 9 Location CAMD N R AD
CAMD N T WN PRIMR S HILL Quirky Camden has its own special place in the capital. CAMD N T WN Not as over-groomed as its neighbour Primrose Hill, it retains its urban authenticity rubbing up along Regent’s Park, King’s Cross, Clerkenwell and the West End. It is where many stars and celebrities have made their homes, and where a relaxed village vibe ISLINGT N still survives in one of London’s hottest postcodes. Camden’s own nightlife and shopping is legendary, CAMD N while Primrose Hill’s world-class retail and restaurants M RNINGT N PASSAG CR SC NT are a 10-minute walk away. London’s greatest open space, Regent’s Park, ING’S CR SS ANG L is less than a mile away. And a brisk 15-minute walk – or 2,000 steps on a Fitbit – takes you to the refreshing, R G NT’S PAR hushed interior of the British Library. SADL R’S The British Museum, Oxford Circus, Sadler’s Wells BRITISH ING’S CR SS ST. PANCRAS W LLS Theatre and Covent Garden are a short walk. LIBRAR If your journey takes you further, the Northern Line CL R NW LL at Camden Town links to King’s Cross, Euston, Charing
L ND N UST N 0 75 miles Cross and Waterloo. More relaxed journeys can be found on the Regent’s Canal or by bike on the canal towpath.