Trove by Flawk with NIKJOO architecture

Located in the Whitechapel district of East London, Ashley Law, founder and director of Flawk, originally purchased the house as her home in November 2022. However, in line with Law’s dedication to supporting emerging designers, the collaboration with NIKJOO came about and catalyzed the formation of Flawk. As their first project together, Trove is an honest illustration of breathing a second life to post-war housing by transforming it into a joyful work of contemporary architecture.

In this sense, this transformation accurately represents Flawk’s philosophy and motivation to develop a creative practice by renovating and retrofitting overlooked, unloved sites. Altogether, with a focus on sustainable and independently designed schemes, completely flipping the traditional idea of development. Collaborating at every stage of the process, Flawk and NIKJOO materialized this goal.

From black rust on the walls, carpeted flooring and a cramped layout, Trove was born with a maximized space and a prominent light that reigns over it. These two elements form a serene environment that acts as the perfect backdrop to playful design pieces by young, independent designers. The calm setting provides a canvas that is whimsically intervened by fun -but often discrete- elements, such as door handles, lights, and loo roll holders. Tranquility and surprise bonding together, creating a delightful synergy.

With a living area that now spans the length of the first floor and an airy open-plan kitchen, the whole construction was upgraded, renovated and repositioned. In Trove, the texture is also a very important character of the scene: concrete, timber, aluminum and brushed stainless steel comprise the tactile palette that accompanies the light-filled spaces. To enhance the visual dialogue, Flawk and NIKJOO have expressed the materials in unexpected finishes to encourage emotional responses and interactions when moving through the home. 

Not only are these materials shown in special forms, but they have also been, wherever possible, repurposed and reclaimed. In this sense, layers of wallpaper were stripped back to reveal a historic stretch of brickwork which has been left exposed and untouched, adding to the tactile experience and honest approach to material.

The decorative pieces that appear unannounced throughout the house are the cherry on top of the whole sensory experience. Carefully curated by Flawk, the collection includes objects, fixtures, and fittings that serve as cheerful treats and accentuate the attention to detail.

Trove, Flawk and NIKJOO’s first project, solidifies the understanding and the rapport between the two minds of this collaboration, which will continue to amaze the public. Through a sustainable and explorative approach to materials, this project introduces a new take on development which focuses on fabricating unique living experiences and showcases local and emerging design. As Ashley Law says: “I enjoy not fitting the mold and creating a new way of developing”.