Meraki: Eldon Road

What was the project? What was the brief?

The project on Eldon Road in Kensington involved modernising and reconfiguring a tired townhouse. The client, originally from Japan, inspired us to create a design that merged their heritage with the Victorian architecture of the house. Our vision was to fuse the traditional elegance of a Victorian townhouse with the calm, minimalist essence of a contemporary Wabi-Sabi Japandi interior. This approach allowed us to honour the client’s background while reimagining the space in a way that felt both modern and timeless.

What were the challenges? How did you overcome these?

One of the main challenges was working with a client based overseas, which could have complicated communication and decision-making. Additionally, ensuring a seamless blend of Victorian and contemporary Wabi-Sabi Japandi styles required a thoughtful approach to avoid any stylistic clashes.

To overcome these, we relied heavily on Programa. It enabled us to keep the client closely involved by providing real-time updates on furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E), allowing them to sign off on individual items remotely, with full access to prices and timelines. This level of transparency and real-time communication helped us avoid delays and ensured that every element of the design remained aligned with the client’s vision.

What features does the practice use? How have they aided your scheduling & specification?

We regularly use several features in Programa, including scheduling and specification management, to keep our projects on track. The specification management feature allows us to organise all FF&E in one place, making it easy for both our team and the client to review and approve items.

For the Eldon Road project, these features were essential in managing the long-distance communication with the client. The ability to provide real-time updates and gather feedback through a shared dashboard ensured that the project remained on time and within scope.

Any feedback on Programa from your team and clients?

While our team and suppliers have adapted well to Programa, it has taken some time to train clients on how to use the platform effectively. We often refer them back to the link and schedule calls to guide them through live approvals or rejections, helping them get comfortable with the process. This not only aids in streamlining communication but also helps with liability. Since clients must physically review and approve items before ordering, there are no surprises on installation day. If any issues arise, we can easily refer back to the schedule and approval history, ensuring full transparency throughout the project.

Reflect on the role of Programa in the project's success and its influence on your design process.

Programa has played a significant role in the success of the Eldon Road project and has had a broader influence on our design process. By streamlining project management and facilitating real-time communication, it has allowed us to focus more on the creative aspects of design without being bogged down by administrative tasks. In the case of Eldon Road, having all the FF&E selections, schedules, and client approvals in one place meant that we could manage the project with efficiency and transparency, despite the geographical distance from our client.

Beyond just project management, Programa has also improved our overall workflow. It provides a structured yet flexible platform that allows for collaboration while ensuring that timelines and budgets are strictly adhered to. This has had a positive impact on our design process, giving us more freedom to innovate while keeping all stakeholders aligned.