London City Guide with Dom Cerantonio, Cera Stribley

London City Guide
With Dom Cerantonio, Cera Stribley

In everything Beulah undertakes, we are defined by civic-minded responsibility, rigorous research, global vision, innovative thinking and a passion for design and culture. We frequently look to a range of industry and thought leaders to share their thinking, insights and perspectives, often drawn from lived experiences.

With a wealth of inspiration and rich storytelling at our fingertips, we share this with you by way of our Beulah City Guides Series, an exploration of cities around the world, through the eyes of compelling industry and thought leaders.

After working at Australia’s top-tier architecture firms, Dom Cerantonio joined forces with Chris Stribley to create Cera Stribley Architects. As the practice’s Founding Partner and Managing Principal, Dom is heavily involved in all aspects of the architectural design and production process. Cera Stribley has also been appointed to lead the design on Beulah’s new Prahran project, opposite the iconic Prahran Market, set to transform the sought-after location on Commercial Road.

Tate Modern

Dom’s specific expertise in concept design and the development of design solutions ensures design integrity is prioritised, while maintaining commercially viable project outcomes. Respected for his ability to understand and integrate subtleties of local culture into context-sensitive design, Domenic’s extensive experience includes the master planning of international projects, residential and commercial high-rises and hotels.

Having recently completed work in London, Dom draws inspiration from the English capital for other projects. We are pleased to share his city guide to the home of Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, along with top picks on where to shop, eat, party, unwind and get your art and culture fix, to make the most of exploring this quintessential British destination.

Having recently completed work in London, Dom draws inspiration from the English capital for other projects.

Tate Modern

Dom, thank you for taking part in our City Guide Series! You’ve chosen to share your experience and knowledge of London with us – why did you choose London to explore with us?

I have always had a fascination with London. As an architect, I am often in awe of the historic composition of this city which celebrates many architectural styles alongside some of the world’s most progressive and contemporary buildings. The architectural tension between old and new is something truly special and unique to London.

Where do you stay in London? Any particular neighbourhood or hotel?

I normally stay in Soho or Fitzrovia. Soho House is a brilliant boutique hotelier in London that offers a members club offering.

Harrods

Leadenhall Market

Buckingham Palace

London view from Tate Modern

Nightlife in London

Can you share with us your favourite picks for each category below?

Cultural Institutions

Tate Modern
Serpentine Galleries
Whitechapel Gallery

Retail Destinations

Burlington Arcade and Old Bond Street
Harrods
Oxford & Regent Street

Coal Drop Yards, Photography by Coal Drop Yards

Places to eat

Cecconi’s
Coal Office Restaurant
Hakkasan

Nightlife Destinations

Sexy Fish
The Vault Bar & Lounge – The Ned
The Art’s Club

Wellness Destination

Akasha at Hotel Café Royal

Akasha, Photography by Hotel Café Royal

Things to do in London

Historic Sites – Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge & Big Ben
Head out to west London to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew
Have a drink at Gong at the Shard, the tallest cocktail bar in Europe

Architecture

The Shard
Coal Drop Yards
Leadenhall Street (Lloyds of London, the Gherkin & the Leadenhall Building)

The Shard and 30 St Mary Axe

Finally, do you have any tips, tricks or advice when travelling to London?

Use the Tube to get around, the world’s first underground rail network. Be sure to go to a Premier League Football match and finish the day with a drink in one of Mayfair or Soho’s night venues.

About Domenic Cerantoni

Founding Partner and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley, Domenic Cerantonios’ approach to architecture is conceptual. He has an innate ability to amalgamate traditional design principles with the higher aspirations of a project.

Understanding how people want to live, Dom believes that creating a ‘sense of place’ is fundamental to the success of an architectural project and this has become a part of Cera Stribley’s wider design philosophy.

Inspired by the physical site and pivotal architectural movements, Dom is respected for his ability to understand the subtleties of the locale and craft a meaningful design narrative that grounds the project to its neighbourhood or landscape setting.