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Sliding House

dRMM, Suffolk, 2009

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Alex de Rijke (website) Download Original

Unique twist on a conventional vernacular farm building consisting of three separated forms and one sliding structure enveloping the forms as it traverses the site

A linear building of apparent simplicity is sliced into three programmes; house, garage and annex.

The garage is pulled off axis to create a courtyard between the three forms. The composition is further defined by material and colour; red rubber membrane and glass, red and black stained larch.

The separated forms are transformed by a 20 ton mobile roof/wall enclosure which traverses the site, creating combinations of enclosure, open-air living and framing of views according to position. This is an autonomous structure constructed of steel and timber and clad in unstained larch.

The structure spans recessed railway tracks in the ground with the movement created by hidden electric motors on wheels integrated into the wall thickness. The tracks can be extended in the future should the client wish to build a swimming pool, which may need occasional shelter.