Designing for WOW!house

Wow!house is an annual, temporary show house and immersive design showcase held at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour in London. ADAM Architecture Partner Darren Price created the inaugural architectural façade for the showhouse at WOW!house 2025 and will be back again in 2026, with a reimagined and refined façade as well as a new garden folly to complement the entrance.

Darren’s design provided a fitting entrance to the 2025 showhouse which stretched over 600sqm and comprised more than 20 rooms, each uniquely designed by world class interior designers.

Past and present

Darren’s approach was inspired by Georgian architecture, seeking not to replicate the past but interpret it for the contemporary era. It demonstrated the enduring language of classicism, celebrating its ongoing relevance today and the inspirational role it has played over the last 250 years.

It was an architectural statement that paid homage to some of history’s most influential architects, such as Sir John Soane, Nicholas Hawksmoor, George Dance the Younger and John Nash.

Design details

The design included handmade cornices, carriage lights, vaulted ceilings within the flanking wings, a custom external door and window joinery, and natural stone elements.

The symmetrical structure featured elegant arched wings, echoing the refinement and proportion of the Georgian era while embracing contemporary sensibilities. Proportion, balance and simplicity were some of the principles that informed the structure, ensuring it felt both commanding and harmonious within its setting.

Taking cues from iconic townhouses and stately homes, the façade provided a striking yet understated welcome to WOW!house visitors, setting the scene for the rooms beyond.

In collaboration

Darren worked with interior designer Victoria Davar, owner of Maison Artefact and creator of the entrance hall at WOW!house, to ensure a seamless transition from exterior to interior.

The entire WOW!house façade and its flanking arcades was designed and constructed by SIZE Group, with Smith & Brown Cabinet Makers. Locker & Riley created the plaster rear barrel vaults, central portico vault and cornices, while the stone plinths and skirting were provided by Artorius Faber, the globe lanterns and fan light globe lantern by Cox London, the sash windows by SB Joinery, a timber front door by Atkey + Co and a stucco-effect wall finish was created using Benjamin Moore paint.

The scheme demonstrated our knowledge and expertise in classical architecture but also represented our passion for collaboration with interior designers and other creatives in the field.