With recent graduates in the spotlight as the target age group, and the name bringing to mind Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman’s stellar performances in The Graduate, we knew from the outset that The Robinson was going to be special.

The Robinson is anything but conventional. Polite irreverence was a cornerstone of our conceptual design, as was that ‘look at me’ selfie focus that pervades the social media accounts of our target age group. Irony, satire, sarcasm and British eccentricity and wit shine through every element of the building.

You can feel this spirit the moment you set foot through the over-large, metal panel front doors (with knockers peppering the inside) of the super lobby and into Wonderland. Timber panelling provides a sense of familiarity and comfort, along with wallpaper that would be at home in your grandma’s house, overlaid with translucent curtains that create a sense of theatre and possibility.

Against this backdrop, the eye-blinding baby pink post room, Paul Smith-style striped post boxes with Dr Martens feet and floating chairs serve to contradict and challenge the senses, creating just that sense of wonder and curiosity that Alice felt when she plunged down the rabbit hole. We took the excitement to the next level with the addition of a giant mirror ball, which spins and refracts light around the lobby to toy with the senses in sparkling new ways. Procuring a mirror ball of that scale was no easy feat but we knew precisely the impact that it would deliver!

We installed massive speakers in the super lobby, as well as on the rooftop and in the podium garden, so that music flows around the residents as they move throughout the development.

Within each apartment, the design of the living space is quite simple and classic, but we used colour to spice it up and create something special. Kitchens range from turquoise to chilli red. Ceilings are exposed concrete with galvanised piping for a raw feeling. Lighting comes in coloured metal or bamboo. Wardrobes are covered by industrial-style curtains instead of doors.

Bathrooms are super simple, with a black/white, Yin and Yang design and unexpected touches, such as the plus and minus signs on taps and the bespoke, handmade Liberty pattern lampshades for wit and contrast.

Even the corridors feed that sense of the unexpected, from their bright colours and Caribbean-style patterned carpets to the individually painted front doors in differing colours. All with grandma-style wired lampshades floating above.

The smaller lobbies mirror the timber panelling of the super lobby, while also featuring fringed pendant lights, contrasting coloured wallpaper and concrete benches with bright coloured cushions. With influences from 2001: A Space Odyssey, we’ve used a pick-and-mix design style to give these smaller lobbies their own unique character, while still fitting into the overall feel of The Robinson.

The residents’ lounge is another very special space. The arrival hall includes a multi-layered art wall, along with an incredibly long bank of brightly coloured seats (we were aiming for the longest in London), with portholes overlooking a mini courtyard. Designed for working and socialising, the residents’ lounge features a Damien Hirst-inspired taxi coffee machine, complete with refrigerated section in the bonnet for those who want to chill a few beers. It’s a gathering place that’s brimming over with unexpected elements – the ultimate selfie spot in a building that’s already packed to the rafters with outstanding selfie spots.

There’s a dining room within the residents’ lounge, as well as a kitchen for getting together to cook. Work pods and private booths for phone calls allow residents to use the space for professional purposes too. Of course, all work and no play makes for a dull building, so residents walking out of the work pods simply have to look through the enormous glass panes to see the courtyard space complete with slide to get from one level down to the next.

The residents’ lounge, in keeping with the rest of The Robinson, is all about homely touches blended with unexpected quirks. We were delighted to source a 19th century, arched Rococo style, giltwood wall mirror, for example, to sit above a glass-backed fireplace. We replaced the glass so that residents can look through the mirror – as well as through the fireplace – as it frames the incredible view of London spread out below.

The whole development is unapologetic in its creativity and sense of fun, both inside and out (click here to discover the Robinson’s external spaces, from the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Garden to the rooftop slide). It inspires curiosity at every turn, with a sense of humour and belonging that encourages residents to express themselves and enjoy every moment.

 Welcome to The Robinson. Disco-pants optional.