The third project in the series of ‘cut’ types. Each project manipulates an existing building; one is Victorian and the other two are inter-war. They all share a fairly typical need to adapt a pre-existing residential building type to modern family living, but all address the problem in a more idiosyncratic manner than the norm.
Each project is tailored to a particular client; in the case of the ‘cut and frame’ house this was driven by the requirement for both clients to work from home and both have separate spaces. The connection between the house and the garden writing hut was therefore a key element of the project.
The existing house was internally remodelled and a series of historical, somewhat adhoc, compartmentalised additions and alterations were removed to provide improved interconnected living spaces.
The connection between hut and house is reinforced by framing elements. The main house has a floating seat of aluminium that becomes part of the internal seating of the house when the large glazed panels are slid away and a garden seat at other times. It is clad in highly contrasting anodised aluminium and hangs from a discreet steel frame cantilevering from within the existing house.
The reciprocal aluminium element to the writing hut can either be an elevated seat with access internally by steps or a display for artefacts and artwork.