Artists Studio

Status: 1993
Location: London

Client: Val Archer
Value: Confidential

 

“Stanton Williams have a capacity to capture and enhance natural light, their(s is a) constant search for progressive transparencies to enlarge and fluidify space…always conducted by assonance and brightness…” Domus

“The light is so beautiful and the proportions so satisfying”, with the calm and disciplined space acting as a continual stimulus – “It makes me think more clearly” The painter, Val Archer

“The wisdom gathered over the years by Stanton Williams from interiors – in their capacity to capture and enhance natural light, their constant search to enlarge and fluidify space...the simple matchings of materials...proves to be an excellent lesson in the architecture of exteriors.” Domus

 

On a small, sloping site on a residential street we were asked to design a practical and private artist’s studio that maximises natural daylight but also functions well at night.

The design revolves around the way that our client worked – what space and facilities she needed, at what height. The building is conceived as a ‘walled garden’ with floating canopy over the top – a simple space that locks into the landscape as the walls weather and plants grow. The west wall, is fully glazed and a door opens onto a linear garden.

The roof folds into three sections with large rooflights to draw in daylight from the north. Artificial light was developed to allow work at twilight and into the night with colour-corrected fluorescent tubes behind diffusing panels.The building is detailed in high quality materials, combining light-reflecting white walls, limestone and maple floors with simple screens to create storage and a shower room.

 

Credits
Photography: Peter Cook