Outside In House
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Alex Board (website) Download Original
Conversion of derelict 1970s youth club to create a two bedroom house with carpentry workshop and courtyard garden.
Starting with an existing derelict youth club on a constrained site the client’s brief was to create a unique two bedroom home with strong connections to the outdoors.
The biggest challenge of the project was to achieve this using an existing building that had minimal external openings and limited outlook. Tight boundaries on all sides and close proximity to the road compromised the existing external spaces.
The building presents a simple elevation to the street to create a distinct contrast with the complex, light filled interior.
A large area of the existing roof was removed to bring light into the centre of the building and to enhance the connection with the outdoors. By creating layers of enclosure within the existing envelope the sense of being outdoors was extended into the building. These layers enclose specific functional spaces for cooking, washing, sleeping and living. The ‘left over’ space remains un-programmed : space that can be appropriated for non-specific functions : entertaining, studying, drawing, dreaming.
The functional elements are arranged to tap in to the existing services infrastructure helping to keep to the tight budget. The functional ‘pods’ are arranged around the inner courtyard to benefit from the best orientation with all spaces receiving natural light from two directions.
Circulation space and corridors are replaced with light, dynamic, loose-fit spaces which can be inhabited and adapted as required providing guest accommodation, dining areas, study rooms or play spaces.
Data
- Begun: Nov 2011
- Completed: Jan 2014
- Floor area: 140m2
- Sector: House
- Total cost: £92,000
- Funding: Private
- Procurement: Self-build
- Address: The Hall, Rewe, Exeter, EX5 4EU, United Kingdom
Professional Team
- Architect: Hilton Barnfield Architects
- Project architect: Hilton Barnfield Architects
- Client: Mr Matthew Hilton
- Structural engineer: TWP Consultants