The Studio

The Studio is situated at the end of a garden in a quiet village in the Ouse Valley in East Sussex. The client, an artist, had lived in a large house on the property for the last fifty years, but at 86 years of age, the main house was unsuitable for her needs. So the decision was made that her family would move into the house, whilst her artist’s painting studio in a 1940s prefab building would be rebuilt into a small self contained dwelling, that allowed her independence and space to continue her painting, with help and support nearby.

The architect sought to maintain the character that had defined this old painting studio by preserving the old brick chimney and the low flint wall that skirted the building. The building was designed from the inside out, based on the specific needs of the artist and her age. A frameless box window provides an open view over a vegetable garden, whilst a porch extrudes out of the front facade, flooding the main space with evening light. This porch in combination with a large skylight, frames the full height of a mature hornbeam tree that was planted when the client first moved to the property.

The dark exterior is in stark contrast to the bright and warm interior. A simple form of on-site charred larch and zinc roofing sits above a light flint plinth. A concealed box gutter, zinc flashings and matching aluminium windows all enhances the uniformity.

The warm, accessible and light space has revitalised the artist and her creative output and will hopefully continue to stimulate and fortify her for years to come.