Victorian artist studio house
Sensitive restoration and modernisation of a late victorian artist studio house originally designed for a portrait and landscape painter.
Following successful completion of a previous new build project, the artist owner asked the practice to update his home. The project was to create a design for modern living without losing the inherent charm of the original house. The artist also wished to infuse his home with his own art.
Extending the kitchen and improving the outside space were key requirements and a number of maquettes were made to explore options. The resulting design merges the inside and outside space via a four metre sliding glass door, which magically disappears into the wall. The tile design furthers the effect and the space is completed with a transforming glass roof light composition.
Centrally placed is an impressive vast double height studio living space containing a floor to ceiling North Light window, a typical artist studio house feature that allows pure indirect light into the space. The house is irregular and asymmetric with intriguing shaped rooms, original panelling and characteristics, many now enhanced with art from the owner. Several rooms were simply restored with the addition of specialist lighting, new heating and
hi-tech AV.
Artist and architect have worked together to achieve this uniquely personal house, a careful balance of restoration, modernisation and art.
May 2010